Links & Resources
ADA Federal Enforcement Agencies
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) extends civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. It seeks to guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government programs, and telecommunications.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the employment provisions under the ADA and offers technical assistance to the public concerning employment discrimination under the ADA. Private employers with 15 or more employees, as well as state and local government agencies regardless of how many employees they have, may not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability in any aspect of the employment process.
Toll Free for ADA questions:
800-669-4000 (Voice)
800-669-6820 (TTY)
Toll Free for ADA documents:
800-669-3362 (Voice)
800-800-3302 (TTY)
WEB: www.eeoc.gov
For more information about the EEOC complaint process, see "How
to File a Complaint"
& Title III: Public Accommodations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces Titles II and III of the ADA (except the public transportation provisions, which are enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation). Title II covers programs, activities, and services of state and local governments, or public entities. Title III covers private entities such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores.
Toll Free ADA Information Line:
800-514-0301 Voice
800-514-0383 TTY
WEB: www.ada.gov
For more information about the DOJ complaint process, see
"How to File a Complaint"
The Department of Justice Spanish language documents collection includes some of the most commonly requested publications, such as questions and answers, highlights, and information on how to file complaints.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), through the Federal Transit Administration, offers technical assistance to the public concerning the transportation provisions of Title II of the ADA.
Toll Free ADA Assistance Line:
888-446-4511 (Voice/Relay)
WEB: www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/civil_rights_2360.html
The ADA requires the establishment of telephone relay services for individuals who use telecommunications display or similar devices. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces these regulations and offers technical assistance to the public. The FCC also enforces provisions of the Telecommunications Act which address the accessibility of telecommunications equipment and services, as well as captioning of television programming.
Toll Free Telephone:
1-888-Call-FCC (Voice)
1-888-Tell-FCC (TTY)
WEB: www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro
Mediation is an informal process where an impartial third party helps disputing parties to find mutually satisfactory solutions to their differences. Mediation can resolve disputes quickly and satisfactorily, without the expense and delay of formal investigation and litigation.
Both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice offer mediation as a means to resolve concerns prior to referring complaints to litigation.
Mediation proceedings are confidential and voluntary for all parties. Mediation typically involves one or more meetings between the disputing parties and the mediator. It may also involve one or more confidential sessions between individual parties and the mediator.
Mediation is neither therapy nor a "day in court." Rather, mediation should provide a safe environment for the parties to air their differences and reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Mediators are NOT judges. Their role is to manage the process through which parties resolve their conflict, not to decide how the conflict should be resolved. They do this by assuring the fairness of the mediation process, facilitating communication, and maintaining the balance of power between the parties.
Representation by an attorney is permitted, but not required, in mediation. While mediators may not give legal advice or interpret the law, they will refer parties to impartial outside experts within the disability and legal communities when questions or issues needing clarification arise.
A successful mediation results in a binding agreement between the parties. If mediation is unsuccessful and an agreement can not be reached, parties may still pursue all legal remedies provided under the ADA, including private lawsuits.
To learn more about ADA and mediation through the federal enforcing agencies, visit the EEOC's mediation web pages if you have an employment concern, and the DOJ's mediation web pages if you have a public accommodation or state/local government concern.
To learn more about mediation training, contact Key Bridge Mediation at www.keybridge.org or call: 800-630-1051.
General Information
National ADA Technical Assistance Program
[www.adata.org]
This site, funded by the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), provides links to all ten DBTACs and other ADA related sites.
ADA Portal
[www.adata.org/adaportal/default.htm]
This searchable collection contains over 7,400 documents on the ADA and over 15,000 documents on other disability-related topics.
DisabilityInfo.gov
[www.disabilityinfo.gov]
This site includes information on Federal programs, services, and resources of interest to people with disabilities and
their families.
Proyecto Visión
[www.proyectovision.net/]
This National Technical Assistance Center seeks to improve educational and employment opportunities
for Latinos with disabilities. The web site is bilingual.
National Technical Assistance Center for Asian American
and
Pacific Islanders (NTAC-AAPI)
[www.ntac.hawaii.edu]
This National Technical Assistance Center was established to increase employment opportunities for Asian American and
Pacific Islanders with disabilities.
American Indian Disability Technical Assistance
Center (AIDTAC)
[http://aidtac.ruralinstitute.umt.edu]
This Center provides information and technical assistance to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages that
helps their members with disabilities live healthy, integrated lives within their communities.
Aviation Consumer Protection Division,
Department of Transportation
[http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/]
This site includes information about the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA) and air travel for people with disabilities.
Toll-Free Hotline For Air Travelers With Disabilities
7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
1-800-778-4838 (Voice)
1-800-455-9880 (TTY)
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board
(ATBCB, or Access Board)
[www.access-board.gov]
The Access Board provides information, publications and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines for buildings and facilities, as well as the standards for electronic and information
technology under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and telecommunications equipment under Section 255 of the
Telecommunications Act. The Board also has enforcement authority under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).
Toll Free Telephone:
800-872-2253 (Voice)
800-993-2822 (TTY)
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
[www.dol.gov/odep/]
ODEP (formerly the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities) provides information to assist businesses
in implementing the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for College Students with Disabilities is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the Department of Defense. The WRP aims to provide summer work experience, and in some cases full-time employment, for college students with disabilities.
CareerOneStop
[http://careeronestop.org]
This site is the nation's publicly funded resource for jobseekers, students, and employers and human resource
professionals. It includes a comprehensive collection of links and information on training, jobseeking skills,
employment law, local service providers and one-stop centers, and much more. It also provides a searchable database
and facilitates on-line posting of resumes for jobseekers, and job openings for employers.
Toll Free Help Line (for questions about employment and training):
877-US2-JOBS (877-872-5627) (Voice)
877-889-5627 (TTY)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
[www.jan.wvu.edu/]
JAN provides information and consultation to employers and people with disabilities on reasonable accommodations in the
workplace.
Toll Free Telephone:
800-526-7234 (Voice & TTY)
Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute
[www.hrtips.org]
This web site offers a comprehensive collection of helpful publications on various aspects of employment, including legal
issues, management and HR policies, accommodations for specific disabilities, and best practices checklists.
U.S. Department of Education
[www.ed.gov/index.jhtml]
- The pages for the Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) include information on the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA), which requires that a free and appropriate public education be provided to children with
certain types of disabilities. OSERS also includes information on the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program,
which oversees grant programs to assist people with disabilties obtain employment and live more independently.
- The pages for the Office for
Civil Rights (OCR) include information on how the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act apply in
educational settings, including institutions of higher education.
- The pages for the Office for Federal Student Aid (FSA) include information on various financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
National Dissemination Center for Children with
Disabilities
[www.nichcy.org]
This Center (formerly the National Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth) offers information and
publications on IDEA and other areas of interest to students, parents, and professionals. Several of the publications
are available in Spanish. The web site also features a "State Resources" section; you can find a resource
list for each state with state government offices, disability-related organizations, and parent groups.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
[www.cec.sped.org]
The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals
with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC offers professional development opportunities and
resources, conferences, discussion forums, and journals and newsletters on classroom practices that work. CEC also operates
the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, and the National
Clearinghouse on Careers in Special Education.
Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation
in our Nation)
[www.projectaction.org]
Easter Seals' Project ACTION provides information and training to consumers and transportation providers.
Toll Free Telephone:
800-659-6428 (Voice/Relay)
Local: 202-347-3066 (Voice), 202-347-7385 (TTY)
ABLEDATA
[www.abledata.com]
This site includes a searchable database of assistive technologies and disability related products,
equipment, and architectural elements.
Toll Free Telephone:
800-227-0216
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center
(ITTATC)
[www.ittatc.org]
ITTATC promotes the development of accessible electronic and information technology.
Toll Free Telephone:
866-948-8282 (Voice/TTY)
National Center on Accessible Information
Technology in Education (AccessIT)
[www.washington.edu/accessit/index.php]
AccessIT, promotes the use of electronic and information technology (E&IT) for students and employees with disabilities
in educational institutions at all academic levels. The web site features the "AccessIT Knowledge Base", a searchable,
growing database of questions and answers regarding accessible E&IT, and the "Accessible University" mock site, a tool
for demonstrating web accessibility principles.
Trace Research and Development Center
[www.trace.wisc.edu]
This project, at the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, promotes the development of accessible
information and telecommunications technologies.
For more information and resources on accessible information technology, visit our "Accessible IT" pages.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
[www.hud.gov/groups/disabilities.cfm]
The HUD site includes information about the Fair Housing Act and other Federal laws that affect housing, as well as a variety
of housing programs and funding assistance that may be available to people with disabilities.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Spanish language site
also includes comprehensive information on housing issues.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST
[www.fairhousingfirst.org]
This project, funded by HUD, provides training programs, materials, and technical guidance on the Fair Housing Act and
its design and construction requirements.
Toll Free Telephone:
1-888-341-7781 V/TTY
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing
and Home
Modifications
[www.homemods.org]
This project promotes aging in place and independent living. The web site includes a "National Directory of Home
Modification Resources" that can help locate sources of assistance across the country.
National Association of Home Builders
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Program
[www.nahb.org/category.aspx?sectionID=686]
The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program teaches builders the skills to work with
older and maturing adults to remodel their homes for aging-in-place.
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
(IDEA Center)
[www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea]
The IDEA Center is within the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo. It is dedicated to
improving the design of environments and products so that they are more usable, safer, and more appealing to a broad
range of people.
Center for Universal Design
[www.design.ncsu.edu/cud]
This Center is located at the School of Design at North Carolina State University. The project evaluates, develops, and
promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD)
[www.ncpad.org]
NCPAD promotes exercise and physical activity for people with disabilities.
National Center on Accessibility (NCA)
[www.ncaonline.org]
NCA offers resources on inclusive outdoor and recreational activities. The site also features a product resource section
with information on accessible picnic tables, golf cars, hunting and fishing equipment, playground components, and more.
National Arts and Disability Center (NADC)
[http://nadc.ucla.edu/]
NADC promotes inclusion in all facets of the arts community for both audience members and artists with disabilities.
VSA arts
[www.vsarts.org]
VSA arts offers a variety of programs to enhance participation in the arts for people with disabilities.
Association of Science - Technology Centers (ASTC)
[www.astc.org/resource/access/index.htm]
ASTC includes a variety of information and resources to support science centers and museums in
creating accessible facilities, exhibits, programs, and activities.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Office for AccessAbility
[www.nea.gov/resources/Accessibility/index.html]
This site offers resources to make the arts accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and
people living in institutions.
Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI) seeks to increase communication and cooperation between emergency managers and the disability community, and to educate people with disabilities about what they can do to be prepared. The EPI web pages feature a variety of articles, resources, and a comprehensive guide for emergency planners, managers, and responders.
The Disability Preparedness Resource Center is maintained by the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. Information is available for individuals with disabilities, as well as planners and responders.
The Department of Homeland Security site includes information on Federal initiatives to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters of all types. The Department also offers the Ready.gov web site, which includes practical preparedness information in both English and Spanish.
The Department of Justice has developed An ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the U.S. Department of Labor offers information about preparedness in the workplace. The site inlcudes a "template" entitled Preparing the Workplace for Everyone: Accounting for the Needs of People with Disabilities, which can be used to guide planning and implementation activities.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) hosts a web site with information related to emergency preparedness, transportation accessibility, and evacuation methods for certain modes of transportation, such as transit and rail systems. It is designed to be an emergency transportation preparedness resource for individuals with disabilities, their family members, and care givers, as well as transportation providers.
The Centers for Disease Control features information on preparedness for biological, chemical, and radiological threats. Information is posted in both English and Spanish.
The Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) works to develop model community education programs for deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) Emergency Response Preparedness Self Assessment Instrument was developed to assist state officials evaluate the extent to which their preparedness plans address the unique characteristics and needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ready, Willing, and Able: Assisting People with Disabilities in Disasters is a two-hour, online course, developed by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living (RTCIL) at the University of Kansas. It is designed for the public health, hospital, preparedness, emergency response, and disaster relief workforce. To access the course, you must create an account at TRAIN, a free service of the Public Health Foundation. The course number is 1010882.
The Red Cross coordinates relief efforts around the world, and offers information (English and Spanish) and products for preparedness.
The U. S. Access Board's own evacuation plan, along with a description of how they developed it, is posted to their web site.The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) consultants have compiled resources and information on emergency evacuation, policies and procedures, work site modifications and accommodations, and training and resources.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted a Fact Sheet on Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Emergency Evacuation Procedures.
The United Spinal Association's publication Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users at Work and at Home (PDF).
June Kailes' web site on Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities is primarily about earthquake safety, but has information that may be applicable for all types of disasters. This web site also provides links to other publications, including several in Spanish.
The DP2: Disabled People and Disaster Planning web site information was also compiled to address earthquake readiness and response, but much of the information may be helpful in other situations. Topics discussed include: preparation, accessibility issues in emergency shelters, training for rescue and law enforcement workers, evacuation for wheelchair users, and communication and information dissemination.
Basic Tips in Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and People with Disabilities is from the Bay Area Emergency Preparedness Coalition.
A series of articles designed to help children and youth cope with trauma, grief, loss, and hate is offered by the Guidance Channel.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency sponsors the FEMA for Kids web site, which has kid-friendly information about disaster preparedness, games and quizzes, and a kid-to-kid connection page for sharing disaster experience stories, poems, and artwork. There are also "Parents and Teachers" pages with activities, curriculum, and safety information for home and classroom use.
The Cyberpet web site includes Animal Disaster Preparedness, covering strategies and emergency preparedness training for animals. (This article discusses pets, not service animals).
U.S. Census Bureau Disability Statistics
Cornell University Disability Statistics
Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities:
Disability Counts
National Organization on Disability Surveys and Statistics
U.S. Department of Labor,
"Statistics about People with Disabilities and Employment"
National Center for Health Statistics
International Center for Disability Information (ICDI) Disability Tables
United Nations Disability Statistics
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