State & Local Governments

A technical assistance document designed to assist state and local officials in improving compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in their programs, services, activities and facilities. To subscribe to a listserv with information on using this tool kit, send an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.TEMPLE.EDU - leave the subject blank and type "SUB ADA_TOOLKIT Firstname Lastname" in the body of the email.

Links to rules, guidelines, notices, studies, reports and certain accessibility laws.

Information regarding training that the Access Board provides on its accessibility guidelines and standards to various organizations and groups across the country.

Information from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding how Web sites can be made accessible for people with disabilities.

Explains accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) for new stadiums, including line of sight for wheelchair seating locations.

Find options for financing assistive technology through grants and loans sponsored by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services.

Covers the requirements of title II of the ADA as it applies to state and local government programs and services, including educational facilities.

Information from the U.S. Department of Justice on common problems shared by city governments of all sizes and how these problems affect persons with disabilities.

Information on ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and revised Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) guidelines from the U.S. Access Board, which are used by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Transportation to set enforceable standards.

Information from the Access Board about accessibility guidelines that serve as the basis for standards to be adopted by the Department of Justice for new construction and alterations of recreation facilities covered by the ADA. The guidelines include scoping and technical provisions for amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf courses, miniature golf, sports facilities and swimming pools and spas.

Overview of the ADA's requirements for ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation and requiring the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services.

One of two standards for new construction and alterations under the ADA for state and local government facilities.

Discusses removing barriers from existing facilities and provides design guidance on van accessible parking spaces.

An outline of the key requirements of the ADA for state and local governments.

AARP's Beyond 50 report presents an agenda for examining, building and retrofitting communities to support successful aging. Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide is also available. Both documents are in .pdf format.

Guidebook created to provide planners, designers and transportation engineers with a better understanding of how sidewalks and trails should be developed to promote pedestrian access for all users, including people with disabilities.

A list of links from the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau related to disability issues, including closed captioning, 911-TTY compatibility, telecommunication relay services and various sections of the Rehabilitation Act.

Overview of 11 federal laws and links to federal agencies to contact for more information.

Key issues raised by public comment to the U.S. Access Board's release of a draft guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way, which addressed access to public streets and sidewalks, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, parking and other components of public rights-of-way.

Provides answers for Disability Program Navigators on how to work with your One Stop Career Centers to ensure that they are physically accessible.

Program that provides technical assistance to the 56 state and territorial assistive technology programs as authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

Summary of the role and goals of NIST in bringing nationwide improvements in voting systems by January 2006, including accessibility for voters with disabilities.

Provides guidance to first responders on how best to perform a rescue using equipment and procedures for a safe evacuation of people with disabilities.

Information on making meetings and information accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensuring participation by the disability community, which is essential in public transportation and highway planning.

Information from the U.S. Department of Education about testing web pages to ensure they meet Section 508 standards.

Information on standards for new construction and alterations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for state and local government facilities.

Information about laws that require that voting systems and polling places are accessible to people with disabilities. The Election Assistance Commission has training videos available that address how to ensure a polling place is accessible.

The U.S. Access Board and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have developed this the four-part course focusing on supplements to ADAAG that cover public sector facilities, including courthouses and prisons, and building elements designed for children's use.