Resources For Improving Accessibility At Community Computing Centers
by Dale Abell

Current census data indicate that 54 million Americans have a disability which substantially limits one or more major life activity (examples: seeing, walking, talking, eating, hearing, learning). Additionally, 66% of this number (approximately 35 million people) are unemployed. We should always be cautious never to stereotype any individual based on statistics or type of disability. However, these numbers indicate a very large number of persons who do not have access to computers because of socioeconomic, architectural, and/or technological barriers. Community Computing Centers are in a position to play a significant role in the removal of the barriers which prevent full community participation of individuals with disabilities.

Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there has been a great deal of emphasis on architectural accessibility. Certainly every program manager needs to be aware of barriers to full participation (steps, narrow doorways, inaccessible restrooms, communication barriers, inaccessible hardware and software, etc.) and cost effective methods for their removal. However, ask any person with a disability "what is the most significant obstacle that inhibits involvement in your community?" The answer will almost always be something like "negative attitudes of non-disabled persons toward me (or my disability)." A recent Harris poll revealed that 74% of those surveyed pity people with disabilities, 58% are embarrassed in the presence of a person with a disability, 47% fear that they also may become disabled. Given CTCNet's mission, Community Computing Centers have a much greater awareness of disability issues than society overall; however, we must constantly strive for improvement and be aware that our attitudes (although unintentional) are sometimes the most inhibiting of all barriers.

Following are some ideas for improving disability awareness at Community Computing Centers:

Create a welcoming atmosphere by developing and widely distributing an access statement. This is your commitment to empower ALL people by providing access to technology. Following is a statement which could be modified: "We welcome all individuals and families from our community to use the XYZ Center. If you have a disabling condition and would like more information and support for accessibility of facilities and programs call Jane Smith at 555-3333 (voice or TTY)." If you do not have a TTY, then list the 800 number for your statewide relay service (directory assistance will have this number). After you develop your access statement, do not hide it on the back of your brochures. Put it on the front in a prominent location. It's OK if your facility is not 100% physically accessible... yet. Remember, the steps or lack of accessible software are not the most inhibiting barriers!

There are, almost certainly, people with disabilities in your community who have expertise with Information Technology. Recruit these people as advisory board members, volunteers, staff members, and program participants. Actively recruit persons with disabilities for involvement in programs by forming partnerships with local disability organizations.

To find people with disabilities for the above roles, look in your phone book for a Center for Independent Living or other disability group. Also, the local office for your state's Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or local Rehabilitation Center/Hospital. These organizations often have employees with expertise in assistive technology (examples: Rehabilitation Engineers, Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapists, etc.).

The very best way to improve access to your programs and facilities is to ask for help from the experts—individuals with disabilities in your community.

Following are free and/or inexpensive resources to assist with your efforts to ensure equal access to Community Computing Centers:

For Architectural Accessibility and Legal Information, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Document Center: http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/kinder/ This site contains all the pertinent accessibility specifications and legal documents including the ADA Technical Assistance Manuals. Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers: 800 949-4232.

http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/ This site by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is devoted to focus on the developments and issues as they relate to implementing accessibility to the Web for people with disabilities. Links to EVERYTHING current about developing accessible web pages.

There are ten regional centers which provide technical assistance materials. When you dial the toll-free number above, your call will automatically ring through to the center responsible for the region of the country that contains the area code from which you are calling. Following are the URL's for each regional center:
Region 1(CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) http://www.adaptenv.org
Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI) http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/PED/ dbtac.html
Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) http://www.transcen.org
Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, MS, TN) http://www.sedbtac.org/
Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) http://www.gldbtac.org
Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/ilru
Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE) http://www.idir.net/~adabbs
Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY). http://www.ada-infonet.org
Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, Pacific Basin) http://www.pacdbtac.org
Region 10 (AK, ID, OR, WA) http://weber.u.washington.ed u/~atrc/NWD.html

Following are resources to obtain information about assistive technology (including adapted hardware and software):
The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 established a program in each state to "increase the availability and utilization of assistive technology devices and services." A listing and description of all Tech-Act Projects can be found at: http://www.resna.org/tap/abs/abstract.htm
Other useful assistive technology sites:
ARC Q&A on Assistive Technology: http://thearc.org/faqs/assistqa.html
Assistive Technology for computers and disability: AbilityHub: http://www.abilityhub.com
Assistive Technology Resource Alliance: http://www.atra.com
Books on Assistive Technology: http://www.sped.ukans.edu/~dlance/book.html
Family Village: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/kennedy/index.htmlx
Virtual Assistive Tech. Center: http://www.sped.ukans.edu/~dlance/atech.html
Closing The Gap conference & newsletter: http://www.closingthegap.com
*Trace Research & Development: http://www.trace.wisc.edu
*Trace Center is an especially helpful site when searching for a specific item or equipment. This is home of ABLE-DATA, a searchable database with over 20,000 assistive technology items including product descriptions and manufacturer / distributor information.

Following are resources to search for funding:
The Grantsmanship Center: http://www.tgci.com
The Foundation Center: http://fdncenter.org
Federal Register Announcements: http://gcs.ed.gov/fedreg/announce.htm

Following are resources to get information about disability organizations or information about specific disabilities:
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
2111 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 405
Arlington, VA 22201
703 525-3406
ncil@tsbbs02.tnet.com
Contact NCIL to locate the Center for Independent Living nearest to you.

Too often, program managers become overwhelmed by inaccessible facilities and equipment and the lack of funding for barrier removal projects. Always remember that physical barriers are not the most restrictive and "the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time".; Take the first bite by creating a welcoming environment that is "attitudinally accessible".; Removal of physical barriers can be accomplished with successive "bites" by forming partnerships with the accessibility experts in your community.

Questions about the information contained in this article maybe directed to: Dale Abell, Technology Access Program, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, 419 885-5733, dabell@sylvania.sev.org.