On December 5, 2006, February 27, 2007, May 7, 2007, and July 26, 2007, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice issued installments of a new technical assistance document designed to assist state and local officials to improve compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in their programs, services, activities, and facilities. The new technical assistance document, which will be released in several installments over the next ten months, is entitled “The ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments.”
The Tool Kit is designed to teach state and local government officials how to identify and fix problems that prevent people with disabilities from gaining equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities. It will also teach state and local officials how to conduct accessibility surveys of their buildings and facilities to identify and remove architectural barriers to access.
The first and second installments of the ADA Tool Kit, issued December 5, 2006, include:
Chapter 1, ADA Basics: Statutes and Regulations
Chapter 2, ADA Coordinator: Notice and Grievance Procedure
Chapter 2, Addendum: Title II Checklist
The third and fourth installments, issued February 27, 2007, include:
Chapter 3, General Effective Communication Requirements Under Title II of the ADA
Chapter 3, Addendum: Title II Checklist
Chapter 4, 9-1-1 and Emergency Communications Services
Chapter 4, Addendum: Title II Checklist
The fifth and sixth installments, issued May 7, 2007, include:
Chapter 5, Website Accessibility Under Title II of the ADA
Chapter 5, Addendum: Title II Checklist
Chapter 6, Curb Ramps and Pedestrian Crossings
Chapter 6, Addendum: Title II Checklist
Appendix 1, Survey Instructions: Curb Ramps
Appendix 2, Survey Forms: Curb Ramps
The seventh installment of the Tool Kit, issued July 26, 2007, includes:
Chapter 7, Emergency Management under Title II of the ADA
Chapter 7, Addendum 1: Title II Checklist (Emergency Management)
Chapter 7, Addendum 2:The ADA and Emergency Shelters: Access for All in Emergencies and Disasters
Chapter 7, Addendum 3: ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters
Introduction to Appendices 1 and 2
While state and local governments are not required to use the ADA Best Practices Tool Kit, the Department encourages its use as one effective means of complying with the requirements of Title II of the ADA.