Access and Accommodation

Information and resources for ensuring that people with disabilities have physical and programmatic access to all facilities, programs, and services at One-Stop Centers. Resources include policy guidelines, resources on assistive technology, accessibility standards, design principles and links to websites with additional information.

Resources

• Access for All: A Resource Manual for Meeting the Needs of One-Stop Customers with Disabilities
  Comprehensive manual for one-stop center staff and administration addressing such issues as legal requirements, accessibility, etiquette, job accommodation, job placement, benefits planning, the ADA, transition and youth services, and transportation options.
• AbleData
  Website with information on assistive technology and rehabilitative equipment from both domestic and international sources. The Abledata website has information on specific products, "resource centers" on particular disabilities, a consumer forum with reviews of products, a reading room for the latest news on assistive technology, and links to additional resources.
• Access Guide (Cornell University)
  Detailed information and real-life examples on making workplaces accessible to people with disabilities, including hearing- and vision-impaired employees.
• ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
  Accessibility guidelines and standards for buildings and facilities, covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA). The ADA applies to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and State and local government facilities. The ABA covers facilities designed, built, altered with Federal funds or leased by Federal agencies. As a result of this revision and update, the guidelines for the ADA and ABA are consolidated in one Code of Federal Regulations part.
• ADA Basic Building Blocks
  Online introductory course on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) that explores the legal requirements and spirit of the ADA. The course was developed by the Southeast Disability and Technical Assistance Center. The Center is one of ten regional centers established to provide training, information, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessible information technology in education to businesses, consumers, schools, and state and local governments.
• ADA Game
  This free, online game is available to play at anytime and simulates how advocacy can promote positive changes in communities. Players take on the role of advocates for disability rights and work together to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in their virtual communities. This game was developed by the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers. The Centers are funded by the US Department of Education to provide training, information, and technical assistance on the ADA and accessible information technology in education to business, consumers, schools, and state and local governments.
• The ADA and City Governments: Common Problems
  Overview of common problems city governments have in meeting the requirements of the ADA. Gives examples and provides clarification on city government responsibility for accommodating people with disabilities. PDF version
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Guide for Small Towns
  Department of Justice publication outlining the responsibilities of small towns to accommodate people with disabilities under the ADA. Gives numerous examples and illustrations from small towns across the country that have accommodated people with disabilities in varying ways. PDF version
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line
  Toll-free telephone line maintained by the Department of Justice providing information to employers, state and local governments, and others on the specific requirements of the ADA, including ADA standards for accessible design.
• Blueprint for Change: Ending Chronic Homelessness for Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses and/or Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Mental Health Services, in collaboration with SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), developed this document to disseminate state-of-the-art information about ending homelessness for people who have serious mental illnesses and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Career Planning Begins with Assessment: A Guide for Professionals Serving Youth with Educational and Career Development Challenges
  A US Department of Labor funded assessment guide for youth service practitioners, policymakers, and administrators. The Guide includes information on selecting career-related assessments, determining when to refer youth for additional assessment, and addresses issues such as accommodations, and legal and confidentiality considerations.
• Common ADA Errors and Omissions in New Construction and Alterations
  Sampling of common errors made when attempting to construct or alter facilities to meet accommodation requirements under the ADA. Discusses possible consequences of improper accommodation for people with disabilities, and references the applicable standard for each example.
• Community Transportation Associations Resources for Meeting the Mobility Needs of People with Disabilities
  Community Transportation Association (CTA) web page containing resources to assist Disability Program Navigators and all advocates, planners and leaders in meeting the mobility needs of people with disabilities. The CTA offers information and resources linking individuals with transportation needs to the workplace and vital services such as medical care. Information is also available for both direct planning and coordination.
• Directory of Independent Living Centers
  Directory of Independent Living Centers (CILS) by State. CILs are private, nonprofit corporations that provide services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and the accessibility of the communities they live in. Centers are funded in part by the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration.
• DisabilityInfo.gov
  The comprehensive Federal website of disability-related government resources.
• Disability-Related Information: Asking , Telling, Using, and Storing
  Power Point Presentation by the US Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center on the legal requirements that apply when you ask, disclose/tell, use or store a One-Stop customer’s disability-related information.
• Disability Program Navigator Presentation for the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI) Grants
  Power point presentation on providing services to ex-offenders with disabilities through the One-Stop Career Center System. Also provides examples of promising practices from Department of Labor funded Disability Program Navigator grantees in serving ex-offenders with disabilities.
• Existing Facilities Checklist (New England ADA & Accessible IT Center)
  General description of ADA requirements for making existing facilities accessible to people with disabilities, and a detailed checklist for making specific building elements accessible.
• Help for Mental Health Problems
  Website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) providing locators for mental health facilities.
• Help for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
  Website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) providing locators for substance abuse treatment facilities.
• National Federation for the Blind Jobline
  Audio access to America's Jobline for people cannot see a computer screen, or do not have access to a computer.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Chart on Applicable Standards
  PVA webpage with links to federal accessibility standards, and a chart depicting applicable federal laws and building codes for different kinds of building projects (e.g., federally-owned projects, local government-owned projects, privately-owned housing, church-owned facilities, etc.).
• Pocket Guide to Mental Health Resources
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funded the development of this on-line guide to resources offering mental health information and links to mental health contacts.
• Principles of Universal Design
  Seven principles to guide a wide range of design disciplines, including environments, products and communications.
• RIT Libraries: Subject-Based Deaf and Hard of Hearing Internet Resources
  This website has an extensive set of links to web-based resources for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Supported Employment: a Guide for Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils
  This guide is designed to help state mental health planning and advisory council members and other stakeholders assess the supported employment policies, programs, and services in their state plans for persons with severe mental illnesses.
• Work as a Priority: A Resource for Employing People who have Serious Mental Illnesses and are Homeless
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) funded this to provide both a conceptual and practical foundation to increase employment among people who are homeless and who also have serious mental illnesses.

Organizations

• The Access Board
  Independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. The Access Board website includes information on federal guidelines and standards; technical assistance, training and research; and enforcement. The website also contains Access Board publications and links to additional resources.
• Adaptive Environments
  Organization that promotes accessibility for people with disabilities and the elderly through education programs, technical assistance, training, consulting, publications and design advocacy.
• Center for Universal Design, University of North Carolina
  National research, information and technical assistance center that promotes design accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, with a particular focus on housing.
• Department of Justice ADA Home Page
  Central web resource for information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the text of the law and subsequent regulations, guides, technical manuals, links to federal agencies with ADA responsibilities, informational publications, a toll-free information hotline, news, and mediation services.
• National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
  Department of Education office that provides leadership and support for research aimed at helping people with disabilities integrate fully into community, social and employment life. NIDRR programs and projects include the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers, which are focused on technical solutions to access and accommodation problems, and Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, which are focused on research and training on improved rehabilitation methods.
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
  Association concerned with helping people with disabilities reach their full potential and achieve their goals through the use of technology