What do we mean by ensuring access for people with disabilities?
___According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), “the term ‘disability’ means an individual has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his/her major life activities or there is a record of such an impairment or an individual is regarded as having such an impairment.”
Types of disabilities include:
___Physical
___Neurological
___Developmental
___Psychological
___Alcoholism
Types of access include:
___Physical access
___Access to communication and information
___Access to services
___Access to employment
___Access to education
Why try to ensure access for people with disabilities?
___In many countries, it’s the law
___It’s a matter of fairness and respect
___Failing to do so wastes talent and energy
___It makes good business and economic sense
___Many people with disabilities already have a difficult life
___People with disabilities add to the diversity of the community, and that diversity makes everyone’s life richer
___Access for people with disabilities improves access for everyone
When should you try to ensure access for people with disabilities?
___When new public facilities are being designed and/or built
___When there’s an addition, renovation, or repair made to a public facility
___When a historic building is rehabilitated for a public use
___When a community group is working on improving or rehabilitating a public facility or space
___When an organization, institution, or agency that provides services or education is moving or renovating its facility
___When there are complaints about lack of access
Who should ensure access for people with disabilities?
___People with disabilities themselves
___Organizations concerned with disability rights
___Legislators other public officials
___Enforcing agencies
___Employers
___Educators
___Organizations that provide services
___The court system, when necessary
___Architects and planners
___Developers
How do you ensure access for people with disabilities?
___Changing attitudes and educating the public, as well as policymakers, architects and planners, and others about the realities, needs, and rights of people with disabilities may be the most important step
___Demand reasonable accommodation for all types of access
___Tax credits can help make accommodations affordable
___Physical access means access to:
- Public facilities
- Federal, state, and local government facilities
- Outdoor spaces
- Public ways
- Public transportation
___Know the design features that constitute physical access
___Access to communication and information means making accessible or providing
- Signs, posters, and other similar features
- Announcements
- Telephones
- ASL interpretation
- Readers
- Internet
- Television
- Concerts and theater performances
___In the U.S., people with disabilities cannot be denied access to services for which they’re eligible
___Reasonable accommodations must result in a service that’s equivalent to that which is offered to other eligible participants, although it doesn’t have to be exactly the same in all respects
___Employers cannot refuse to hire someone because of a disability if that person is the best-qualified for a job, except where the disability would make it impossible for the person to do the job
___An employer may fire someone with a disability because of poor job performance if other employees in the same situation would be treated the same way
___Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act guarantees every child ages 6-21 the right to a free public education that meets his needs in the least restrictive environment possible
___In both public and private post-secondary institutions, ADA requires non-discrimination in admissions and accommodation for admitted undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities
Advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities:
___Demand enforcement of existing laws and regulations
___Work with legislators, and their aides to pass laws that guarantee equality of access and opportunity to people with disabilities
___Work with architects, planners, developers, and interior designers to make them aware of the concerns and needs of people with disabilities
___Enlist the media to help change attitudes and expectations
___Call attention to lack of access whether you have a disability or not
___Keep at it indefinitely