This section of the ADA One web site offers a collection of tip sheets, resource lists, and articles prepared by Irene Bowen.

The tip sheets and templates set out the basics of what can be difficult concepts, or offer best practices or practical suggestions for compliance.

The resource lists direct you to a variety of statutes, regulations, guidelines, technical assistance materials, cases, and settlement agreements — at links that are all available without cost or subscription — and other web links.

Also included is a glossary of communication terms and a quick-check tool developed for nonprofits but helpful to other covered entities.

Tips for the Transition for 2012

If you’re unclear about how and when to apply the new standards, how to make the choice of the “old” or “new” standards before March 15, 2012, and how the new “safe harbors” work, read our Tips for the Transition to 2012.

New 2011: Renewing the Commitment: Excerpts

NOTE: All documents below are excerpted from The Chicago Community Trust’s Renewing the Commitment: An ADA Compliance Guide for Nonprofits, authored by Irene Bowen of ADA One, LLC, and released January 31, 2011. Permission is granted to distribute and copy them, with acknowledgment of the source.

Download the full ADA Guide

Quick-check tool: Use this five-page checklist to assess where you are and the areas where you need to improve compliance with the ADA. While intended for nonprofits, the checklist also works for businesses and state and local governments.

Resources: A comprehensive listing of up-to-date resources (including DOJ’s 2010 regulations) as of January 31, 2011, including organizations, topics (e.g., facilities, communication, emergency procedures, meetings and classes, the arts, health care, child care), and sources of services and products.

Tip sheets: Front-line staff can keep these handy for practical guidance on issues such as how to place or receive a telecommunications relay service call, how to work with an interpreter, how to make a document in large-font format, and how to make a meeting accessible.

  1. Interacting with People with Disabilities p 119
  2. Choosing and Using Interpreters p120-121
  3. Service Animals p 122
  4. Communicating with TTYs and Telecommunication Relay Services p 123-124
  5. Making Information Accessible to People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision 125-126
  6. Planning for Accessible Meetings 127-128
  7. The Day of a Meeting: Arranging Accessible Space 129-130
  8. Conducting Meetings 131
  9. Maintaining Access 132
  10. Special Events 133

Templates: Customizable for your organization, these templates offer samples of accessible meeting notices, policy modifications and accommodations, communication assistance, and information about accessible features of your facilities.

  1. Sample Meeting Notices p 134-135
  2. How [Name] Provides Communication Assistance for People with Disabilities 136-137
  3. How [Name] Makes Policy Modifications and Accommodations for People with Disabilities 138
  4. Accessible Features of [Name] Building 139

Glossary of communication terms: Are you unsure about the different types of interpreters, captioning, telecommunications relay services? This glossary clarifies these and explains terms such as assistive listening devices, screenreader, UbiDuo, and videophone.

Tip Sheets — Updated 2011

Higher Education Resources

Higher education: Physical access resources – updated February 2011

Articles