Americans with Disabilities Act- Communications Accommodations Project A Resource for Voluntary Compliance with the ADA A Joint Program of The American Foundation for the Blind Governmental Relations Department 1615 M Street, N.W., Suite 250 Washington, DC 20036 and National Center for Law and Deafness Gallaudet University 800 Florida Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20002 November 14, 1991 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Scott Marshall (AFB) 202-223-0101 and/or Sy DuBow (NCLD) 202-651-5343 FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION ON COMPLYING WITH ADA AVAILABLE THROUGH NEW TELEPHONE INFORMATION LINES AND PUBLICATIONS WASHINGTON--Are hotels, hospitals, health care professionals, and state and local governments prepared to overcome communication barriers faced by persons with vision and hearing loss in compliance with the new federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Do persons with vision and hearing loss understand their new rights under the ADA? According to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Center for Law and Deafness of Gallaudet University (NCLD), the answers to both questions are no. Because both organizations are concerned that communication needs may be ignored, they have jointly established a new information service called the Americans with Disabilities Act-Communication Accommodations Project (ADA-CAP). This project will provide free legal advice and technical assistance to help businesses comply with the new law and educate individuals with communication disabilities about their new rights. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, ADA-CAP will be staffed by expert disability rights lawyers and qualified paraprofessionals at AFB and NCLD. Two telephone information lines, 202-223-0101 (for AFB) and 202-651-5343 (for NCLD) in both voice and TDD, will be open from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday, to answer questions and provide specific information on the types of accommodations and auxiliary aids and services that can provide effective communication for deaf, hard of hearing, deaf- blind, blind or low vision individuals. The ADA-CAP plans to distribute free informational brochures which will address real life situations as presented by callers to the information lines. Six separate publications, available February 1992, will target the needs of the hospitality and health care industries and individuals with vision and hearing loss. Each publication will discuss solutions and resources to provide effective communication required by the ADA. Publications targeted to consumers will be produced in accessible media for blind or visually impaired persons and in an American Sign Language video for persons who are deaf. Says Scott Marshall who is director of AFB's governmental relations department: "Acquiring and transmitting information that requires the ability to see and/or hear is one of the greatest communication barriers for persons with vision or hearing loss. Although information has been made available with respect to removing architectural barriers for persons with disabilities, there is a general lack of knowledge and awareness in the community concerning methods to address the communication barriers faced by persons who have vision or hearing loss. ADA-CAP was established to make it easier for businesses to understand and overcome those communication barriers." Marshall notes that this information will also be useful for local agencies for persons with communication disabilities, employers, educators of individuals with hearing and vision loss, mobility instructors, civic organizations and public libraries. Adds Sy DuBow, legal director of the NCLD: "ADA-CAP staff will provide individual attention to each request for information and guidance regarding the ADA-related questions. Project staff will be available to assist in the negotiation of ADA-related disputes, as well as make referrals as necessary to access resources within AFB and Gallaudet University." For example, these and other inquiries may be addressed through ADA-CAP telephone information lines: * from a hotel establishment: Does the ADA require us to provide TDDs for our deaf patrons to make outgoing calls? Where can we obtain additional information about acquiring these telecommunication devices? * from a hotel owner: How do I obtain braille signage for my hotel? Where must such signs be placed? * from a county government: Individuals who have hearing or vision loss often come to the training courses given by our local government. What kinds of accommodations must we offer these individuals? *from a deaf individual: I need to see a doctor about my back. He works in a nearby clinic. I am afraid that I will not understand him without an interpreter. What are my rights under federal law? *from a blind dog guide user: A security guard at my local hospital would not permit me to enter the building with my dog guide. Are dog guides permitted in hospitals? AFB, a national nonprofit blindness organization, and the National Center for Law and Deafness at Gallaudet University, the first national legal center on deafness, both have proven leadership and experience in dealing with issues related to the ADA. AFB's governmental relations department, located in Washington, DC since 1948, has actively represented the interests of the blindness community with respect to the ADA since the initial draft bill was introduced in 1988. NCLD lawyers assisted in drafting the language of the ADA, provided continued technical assistance to members of Congress, and worked extensively with federal agencies on the ADA regulations. The mission of AFB is to enable persons who are blind or visually impaired to achieve equality of access and opportunity that will ensure freedom of choice in their lives. AFB accomplishes this mission by taking a national leadership role in the development and implementation of public policy and legislation, information and educational programs, diversified products and quality services. Headquartered in New York City, AFB maintains regional offices in Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, and Washington, DC. The NCLD, a unit of Gallaudet University, was established in 1975 to address the legal problems of deaf and hard of hearing people and serve as a national clearinghouse on legal issues relating to deafness. From its inception, the NCLD has operated telephone information lines to address compliance with laws regarding accommodating the needs of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Based in Washington, DC, with seven regional centers nationwide, Gallaudet University is a private multipurpose educational institution and resource center that serves deaf and hard of hearing people around the world through a full range of academic, research and public service programs. To utilize the services of the ADA-CAP, call voice/TDD: American Foundation for the Blind - 202-223-0101 National Center for Law and Deafness - 202-651-5343 ============ The text of a postcard accompanying the press release: ADA-CAP A joint venture of the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Center for Law and Deafness Yes, I want to comply with the ADA. Please send me information* that applies to -- The hospitality industry, places of assembly __ Health care professionals, hospitals __ Blind consumers __ Deaf consumers __ Deaf-blind consumers Name ____________________________________________________ Organization ____________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________ Telephone _______________________________________________ Total Number of Employees __ 1-14 __ 15-24 __ 25-100 __ 101-499 __ 500+ Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice *available February 1992