In this section, we try to provide a good selection of resources available nationwide and specifically for Region 10.
2010 Regulations
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PUBLICATIONS
ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business | PDF An illustrated guide to help small businesses understand the requirements of the 2010 ADA regulations. (2011)
Revised ADA Requirements: Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) | PDF
This 6-page document provides guidance on the Department’s 2010 regulations regarding the use of wheelchairs and mobility aids, as well as other types of less-traditional powered mobility devices. (2014)
Revised ADA Requirements: Effective Communication | PDF
This 7-page publication provides guidance on the Department’s 2010 regulations relating to communicating effectively with people who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities. (2014)
Revised ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools - Means of Entry and Exit | PDF
This publication is designed to help title II and title III entities understand how new requirements for swimming pools, especially existing pools, apply to them. (2012)
Questions and Answers: Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations | PDF (2012)
Revised ADA Requirements: Service Animals | PDF
This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations. (2011)
Revised ADA Requirements: Ticket Sales | PDF
This publication provides guidance on the Department's new nondiscrimination requirements that apply to selling tickets for assigned seats at events such as concerts, plays, and sporting events. (2011)
Revised ADA Requirements: Effective Date and Compliance Date | PDF
This publication sets out several different "compliance dates," dates by which entities covered by the ADA are required to comply with the new or revised provisions of the Department's rules. (2011)
1991 Regulations
PUBLICATIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws | PDF
A 21-page booklet that provides a brief overview of ten Federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and provides information about the federal agencies to contact for more information. (2006)
ADA: Know Your Rights -- Returning Service Members with Disabilities | PDF
This 28-page booklet is designed to provide military service members who have been seriously wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom a basic understanding of their rights under the ADA and where to turn for additional information and assistance. (2010)
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment | PDF
A 2-page pamphlet for people with disabilities providing a general explanation of the employment provisions of the ADA and how to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2000)
Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities | PDF
From the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services
This technical assistance publication provides guidance for medical care providers on the requirements of the ADA in medical settings with respect to people with mobility disabilities, which include, for example, those who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, crutches, or no mobility devices at all. (2010)
ADA Business Briefs: Communicating with People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hospital Settings | PDF (2003)
Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
This publication explains how the requirements of the ADA apply to Child Care Centers. The document also describes some of the Department of Justice's ongoing enforcement efforts in the child care area and it provides a resource list on sources of information on the ADA. (1997)
Title II - State & Local Government
MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
ADA Title II Action Guide
The New England ADA Center Provides this list of resources, including self-evaluation forms, web accessibility, etc., for State and Local Governments.
Title II Technical Assistance Manual | Supplement
A 56-page manual that explains in lay terms what State and local governments must do to ensure that their services, programs, and activities are provided to the public in a nondiscriminatory manner. (1993)
The ADA and City Governments: Common Problems | PDF
A 9-page document that contains a sampling of common problems shared by city governments of all sizes, provides examples of common deficiencies and explains how these problems affect persons with disabilities. (2000)
ADA Guide for Small Towns | PDF
A 21-page guide that presents an informal overview of some basic ADA requirements and provides cost-effective tips on how small towns can comply with the ADA. (2000)
Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities | PDF
A 5-page publication providing guidance on making State and local government websites accessible. (2003)
Welcoming Voters with Disabilities [PDF]
The Southeast ADA Center created this 1-page tipsheet to make the voting experience welcoming, fair, and accessible. (2022)
This 39-page checklist is a self-help survey that voting officials can use to determine whether a polling place has basic accessible features needed by most voters with disabilities. (2004)
A 11-page illustrated publication that provides guidance on preparing for and carrying out emergency response programs in a manner that results in the services being accessible to people with disabilities. (2006)
A 10-page publication explaining the requirements for direct, equal access to 9-1-1 for persons who use teletypewriters (TTYs). (1998)
A 12-page publication providing information for law enforcement agencies in a simple question and answer format. (2006)
This 8-panel pocket guide provides basic information for officers about ADA requirements for communicating effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. (2006)
A 5-page publication providing information on ADA requirements for interviewing and hiring police officers. (1997)
Title III - Business and Non-Profits
MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY FOR BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS
Title III Technical Assistance Manual | Supplement
An 83-page manual that explains in lay terms what businesses and non-profit agencies must do to ensure access to their goods, services, and facilities. Many examples are provided for practical guidance. (1993)
Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities
This online course explains how the ADA applies to businesses in ten short lessons. Putting these lessons into practice will allow you to comply with the ADA and welcome a whole new group of customers to purchase your goods, products, and services. (2005)
ADA Guide for Small Businesses | PDF
This 15-page illustrated guide presents an overview of some basic ADA requirements for small businesses that provide goods and services to the public. It provides guidance on how to make their services accessible and how tax credits and deductions may be used to offset specific costs. (2007)
ADA Business Connection: Expanding Your Market
Short publications that present information on the ADA and customers with disabilities.
Maintaining Accessible Features in Retail Establishments | PDF (2009)
Maintaining Accessibility in Museums | PDF (2009)
Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field | PDF (2009)
Accessibility Benefits Older Adult Customers | PDF (2006)
Accessible Customer Service Practices for Hotel and Lodging Guests with Disabilities | PDF (2006)
Building a Diverse Customer Base | PDF (2006)
Tax Incentives for Business | PDF (2005)
Gathering Input from Customers with Disabilities | PDF (2007)
ADA Business Briefs
Short publications explaining specific ADA issues that are designed to be easily printed and distributed to employees.
Communicating with People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hospital Settings | PDF (2003)
Communicating with Guests Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Hotels, Motels, and Other Places of Transient Lodging | PDF (2003)
Assistance at Gas Stations | PDF (2002)
Restriping Parking Lots | PDF (2001)
Americans with Disabilities Act Guide for Places of Lodging: Serving Guests Who Are Blind or Who Have Low Vision | PDF A 12-page publication explaining what hotels, motels, and other places of transient lodging can do to accommodate guests who are blind or have low vision. (2001)
Architectural Standards
PUBLICATIONS EXPLAINING ADA ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS
Guide to the ADA Standards
This four-chapter guide from the U.S. Access Board describes the various aspects of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as well as the International Building Code and how other state codes might be used.
ADA Business Brief: Restriping Parking Lots | PDF (2001)
ADA Title II Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing | PDF Departments of Justice and Transportation Joint Technical Assistance; Glossary of Terms | PDF (2013)
Accessible Stadiums | PDF
A 4-page publication highlighting features that must be accessible in new stadiums and providing guidance on line of sight for wheelchair seating locations. (1996)
ADA/Section 504 Design Guide: Accessible Cells in Correction Facilities | PDF
A 5-page publication providing guidance on preventing discrimination against inmates with mobility disabilities through the design of accessible cells in State and local correctional facilities. (2004)
Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for New Lodging Facilities | PDF
This 34-page checklist is a self-help survey that owners, franchisors, and managers of lodging facilities can use to identify ADA mistakes at their facilities. (1999)
Five Steps To Make New Lodging Facilities Comply With The ADA | PDF
A 3-page document highlighting five steps that owners, operators, and franchisors can take to make sure that new lodging facilities comply with the ADA. (1999)
Other Resources
ADA Information Services
A 2-page list of Federal agencies and other organizations that provide information and technical assistance to the public about the ADA. (2008)
This list contains the telephone numbers and Internet addresses of federal agencies and other organizations that provide information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and informal guidance in understanding and complying with different provisions of the ADA.
Department of Justice offers technical assistance on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA provisions applying to businesses, non-profit service agencies, and state and local government programs; also provides information on how to file ADA complaints.
ADA Information Line
800-514-0301 (voice)
800-514-0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
Accessible Design and Innovative Inclusion (ADII)
ADII assists businesses as well as federal, local and state governments to ensure people with disabilities and the aging populations enjoy equal access to employment, programs, and services.
Contact ADII
Phone: 1-888-377-0100
Email: Eva L. de Leon
Web: www.ccer.org/adii
EEOC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers technical assistance on the ADA provisions applying to employment; also provides information on how to file ADA complaints.
Employment - questions
800-669-4000 (voice)
800-669-6820 (TTY)
Employment - publications
800-669-3362 (voice)
800-800-3302 (TTY)
www.eeoc.gov
Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration offers information on the public transit provisions of the ADA.
ADA Assistance Line
888-446-4511 (voice)
TTY: use relay service
www.fta.dot.gov/ada
Email:
Federal Communications Commission offers technical assistance on the ADA's telephone relay service (TRS) requirements.
TRS publications and questions
888-225-5322 (voice)
888-835-5322 (TTY)
www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro
Department of Education funds ten regional centers to provide technical assistance on the ADA. These make up the ADA National Network.
800-949-4232 (voice/TTY)
www.adata.org
Access Board (or Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) offers technical assistance on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
Publications and questions
800-872-2253 (voice)
800-993-2822 (TTY)
www.access-board.gov
ta@access-board.gov
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides advice on accommodating employees with disabilities. JAN has information on reasonable accommodation for specific types of disabilities in the workplace.
Job Accommodation Network
800-526-7234 (voice)
877-781-9403 (TTY)
www.askjan.org
Project ACTION is funded by the Department of Transportation to provide information about making transportation accessible.
Transportation information and publications
800-659-6428 (voice)
TTY: use relay service
www.projectaction.org
US Department of Transportation | Passengers with Disabilities
202-366-2220
TTY/Assistive Device: 202-366-0511
www.transportation.gov/
TSA Passenger Support
(855) 87-2227
Federal Relay: 711
www.tsa.gov
Internal Revenue Service offers tax incentives to help cover the cost of complying with the ADA. Form 8826 provides a tax credit for small businesses. Publication 535 explains tax deductible expenses for business of any size.
Tax forms and publications
800-829-3676 (voice)
800-829-4059 (TTY)
www.irs.gov
The Social Security Administration (SSA) delivers a broad range of services online at socialsecurity.gov and through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services. Social Security disability benefits are paid through two programs: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Social Security Income).
Social Security Disability Benefits (PDF)
800-772-1213 (voice)
800-325-0778 (TTY)
http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/
Disability.gov's Guide to Disability Benefits
OTHER LAWS OF INTEREST
Other federal laws prohibit discrimination and provide equal opportunity for people with disabilities in housing, air transportation, Congressional offices and services and access to Federal facilities, post offices and electronic information. The telephone numbers and Internet addresses for obtaining assistance in understanding these laws are listed here.
Fair Housing Act, for questions or publications, call Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Fair Housing general questions
800-669-9777 (voice)
800-927-9275 (TTY)
Fair Housing accessibility questions
888-341-7781 (voice/TTY)
www.fairhousingfirst.org
Air Carrier Access Act covers accessibility in air travel. For questions pertaining to air transportation, call Department of Transportation.
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
800-778-4838 (voice)
800-455-9880 (TTY)
http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer
The Office of Compliance handles Accessibility laws applying to Congress.
Congressional accessibility
202-724-9250 (voice)
202-426-1912 (TTY)
www.compliance.gov
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, for questions pertaining to the accessibility of Federal electronic information and technology, call the Access Board listed on page one.
Architectural Barriers Act, for questions pertaining to access to Federal facilities and post offices, contact the Access Board, listed on page one.
ADA Designated Investigative Agencies | PDF
A 4-page list of the nine federal agencies that are designated to investigate disability-related discrimination complaints filed against State and local government programs under title I or title II of the ADA or against Federally funded or assisted programs under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. (2008)
NORTHWEST/ALASKA OFFICE
909 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 220-5312
SEATTLE FHEO CENTER
909 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 220-5304
206) 220-5170
PORTLAND FHEO FIELD OFFICE
400 SW Sixth Avenue,
Suite 700
Portland, OR 97204
(971) 222-2633
(206) 220-5304
Technical Assistance Centers
Job-Driven Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (JDVRTAC)
www.explorevr.org/content/research-projects-explorevr
The purpose of the JDVRTAC is to (a) improve the ability of State VR agencies to work with employers and providers of training to ensure equal access to and greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage in competitive employment or training; (b) increase the number and quality of employment outcomes in competitive integrated employment for VR-eligible individuals with disabilities, including broadening the range of occupations for such individuals in such settings, that result from job-driven strategies; and (c) increase the number of VR eligible individuals with disabilities in employer-driven job training programs.
TAC STAFF:
Julisa Cully, 617-287-4386,
Cecillia Gandolfo, 617-287-4342,
RSA STAFF:
Jerry Elliott, 202-245-7335,
Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, 202-245-6103,
See also Job-Driven Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)
www.transitionta.org
The purpose of the NTACT is to assist state education agencies, local education agencies, State VR agencies and other VR service providers to implement evidence-based and promising practices to ensure students with disabilities stay in school, progress in school, and graduate with knowledge, skills and supports needed to succeed in postsecondary education and employment.
TAC Staff:
Catherine Fowler, 704-687-8735,
David Test, 704-687-8853,
OSEP Staff:
Selete Avoke, 202-245-7260,
RSA Staff:
Janette Shell, 202-245-7257,
Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, 202-245-6103,
Video Gallery
"Ten Employment Myths"
Many employers misunderstand the Americans with Disabilities Act and are reluctant to hire people with disabilities because of unfounded myths. This seventeen-minute video responds to concerns expressed by employers, explaining the ADA in common sense terms and dispelling myths about this often overlooked pool of well-qualified employees.
“Ten Small Business Mistakes”
This thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities. The video features statements by store owners expressing their doubts or misunderstandings about the ADA followed by responses from the Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights and other Department of Justice employees explaining the law in common sense terms.
"My Country"
In this one-hour documentary, the late symphony conductor James DePreist, who contracted polio as a young man, profiles three people with disabilities whose lives have been shaped by the struggle for equal rights. Mr. DePreist was the nephew of African American contralto Marian Anderson, who in 1939 was prevented from singing at Constitution Hall. He draws parallels between racial barriers and the barriers faced by people with disabilities.
"Police Response to People with Disabilities" Eight-Part Series
Designed for use in roll-call training, this videotape addresses law enforcement situations involving people who have mobility disabilities, mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy or seizure disorders, speech disabilities, deafness or hearing loss, and blindness or low vision. The eight segments range from 5 ½ to 10 ½ minutes in length.
ADA Signing Ceremony
This video documents the speech given by President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. In the video, President Bush speaks to a huge audience of activists, Congressional supporters, people with disabilities, and their families and friends gathered on the south lawn of the White House.
The 22-minute film, provided to the Department by the George Bush Presidential Library, is being re-released on the Internet to increase awareness of the ADA.
ADA Links: