DOCUMENT RESUME ED 363 018 EC 302 468 Communication and the ADA (Effective Communication TITLE and Accessibility). INSTITUTION American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Rockville, MD. SPONS AGENCY Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. PUB DATE [92] NOTE 5p. AVAILABLE FROM American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 (free; available in large print, computer disk, braille, and electronic bulletin board). PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Accessibility (for Disabled); Attitude Change; *Civil Rights Legislation; *Communication Aids (for Disabled); *Communication Disorders; *Communication Skills; *Compliance (Legal); Cost Effectiveness; Design Requirements; Federal Legislation *Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT This brief fact sheet addresses the following concerns about effective communication and accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): requirements under the ADA'for achieving effective communication (e.g., provision of necessary auxiliary communicatibn aids and services); identification of necessary communication aids and services (e.g., expressed preference of the individual); strategieF for achieving effective communication; examples of communication aids and services; examples of communication barriers; requirements for communicaLLon accessibility under the ADA; examples of readily achievable structural barrier removal strategies; signage and symbols of communication accessibility; discriminatory policies and practices which must be modified; and ways to ensure cost effective.ADA compliance. (:13) ********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** COMMUNICATION AND THE ADA (Effective Communication and Accessibility) Taking steps to ensure that people with communication disabilities Have access to goods, services;and facilities What is Are not excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other EFFECTIVE people COMMUNICATION under ADA? Making information accessible to and useable by people with communication disabilities Providing any necessary auxiliary communication aids and services What is required Unless an undue burden or a fundamental change in the nature of the goods, services, to achieve EFFECTIVE facilities, etc. would result COMMUNICATION Without a surcharge to the individual under ADA? Making aurally (via hearing) delivered information available to persons with hearing and speech impairments (including alarms, nonverbal speech, and computer-generated speech) Personally prescribed devices such as hearing aids are not required. Consideration of: Expressed preference of the individual with disability How do you determine Level and type of the communication exchange (complexity, length, and importance of NECESSARY material). For example, interpreter services might not be necessaiy for a simple business AUXILIARY transaction such as buying groceries, but they might be appropriate in lengthy or major COMMUNICATION transactions such as purchasing a car or provision of legal or medical services. AIDS AND SERVICES? Selection of appropriate aids and services from available technologies and services (low-tech as well as high-tech) based on facility resources and communication needs (individual's and type of material) Establishing appropriate attitudes and behaviors: Assuming that persons with communication disabilities can express themselves if afforded What are the opportunity, respect, and the necessaiy assistance to do so STRATEGIES Consulting the person with the disability how best to communicate with him or her, and for achieving asking about the need for aids and services EFFECTIVE Training staff to communicate more effectively COMMUNICATION? Modifying the communication setting, for example, reducing noise levels. Improving the communication setting can also reduce the need for assistive devices in some cases. "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Providing auxiliary aids and services Responding to auxiliary aids and services requests Providing materials in accessible formats (e.g., written transcripts) Keeping written materials simple and direct TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC1." Providing visual as well as auditory information Providing a means for written ex0, mge of information U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDOCAllON °ace at Educational arCh sod Impownent Informing public of available accommodations TIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION ED CENTER (ERSC) Maintaining devices in good working condition Tilos O0Curnfil has been esproduciod ss recnrSO from OW person or orionas).on OrpinSttrog it Consulting a professional (audiologist, speech-language pathologist) cx) 0 ',Aver COSMOS neve been made to mambo regooducnon middy COMMUNICATION AND THE ADA 2 1 Poste Of voll,/ Os OOMOWIS Mated in th4 doe tr. mei do nog eft:Meanly reototont officod OEM Poulton ot poky t41. In assembly areas, meetings, conversations: Assistive listening devices and systems (ALDs), communication boards (word, symbol). What are examples of qualified interpreters (oral, cued speech, sign language), real-time captioning, written COMMUNICATION communication exchange and transcripts, computer-assisted note taking, lighting on (SPEECH AND speaker's face, preferential seating for good listening and viewing position, electrical outlet HEARING) AIDS AND near accessible seating, videotext displays SERVICES? In telecommunications: Hearing aid compatible telephones, volume control telephone handsets, amplified telephone mouthpieces (for person with weak voice) (to amplify speech for a hard-of-hearing listener), telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) or text telephone, facsimile machines (that use visual symbols), computer/modem, interactive computer software with videotext TDD/telephone relay systems In buildings: Alerting, signaling, warning, and announcement systems using amplified auditory signals, visual signals (flashing. strobe), vibrotactile (touch) devices, videotext displays In prepared (non-lilve) materials: Written materials in alternate formats (e.g., symbols. pictures) Aurally-delivered materials in alternate formats (e.g., captioned videotapes, written transcript, sign interpreter) Notification of accessibility options (e.g., alternative formats) Factors that hinder or prevent information coming to and/or from a person 411111111 What are Visually-related barriers COMMUNICATION Inadequate or poor lighting/poor background that interferes with ability to speechread or see BARRIERS? signing Unreadable signage (too small, not in line of vision of people in wheelchairs or of short stature) Lack of visual information (For example, not showing speaker's face) Lack of signage and accessibility symbols Acoustically-related barriers High noise levels High reverberation levels Lack of aurally-delivered information to supplement visual information (For example, not using amplified auditory as well as visual signals in emergency alarms. partitions thai block sound between speaker and I.stener) Attitudinal and prejudicial barriers Information complexity (such as difficult reading level) Providing TDD and accessible telephone or alternative service When telephone service is regularly provided to customers/patients on more than just an What is required for incidental basis (e.g., hospitals, hotels) COMMUNICATION When building entry requires aural or voice information exchange (e.g., closed circuit ACCESSIBILITY security telephone) under ADA? COMMUNICATION AND THE ADA 2 Providing means for two-way communication in emergency situations (e.g., elevator emergency notification system) that does not require hearing or speech for communication COMMUNICATION exchange ACCESSIBILITY under ADA Providing closed caption decoders, upon request, in hospitals that provide televisions, and in cortinued places of lodging with televisions in five or more guest rooms Removing structural communication barriers in existing buildings when readily achievable (inexpensively and easily removed) Providing alternative service when barriers are not easily removed (For example, preferential seating area) Following accessibility standards for new construct:on/alterations (ADA Accessibility Guidelines, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard) Installing sound buffers to reduce noise and reverberation What are some Installing flashing alarm lights in restrooms, any general usage areas, hallways, lobbies, and READILY any other common usage areas ACHIEVABLE Integrating visual alarms into facility alarm systems STRUCTURAL BARRIER REMOVAL Removing physical partitions that block sound or visual information between employees and STRATEGIES? customers Providing directional signage with symbols to indicate available services Symbols for: 11111111=1, Telephone accessibility: What is needed for blue grommet between cord and handset"hearing aid compatible" SIGNAGE AND telephone handset with radiating soundwaves"volurne control" SYMBOLS OF TDDs or text telephonesthe international TDD symbol COMMUNICATION ACCESSIBILITY? Signage: Directional signage indicating nearest TDD or accessible telephone Messages for availability of Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) in announcements, in key building areas Messages for communication aids and services (e.g., interpreters) III II II III WI SO 111 IN1111111111111,,. International TDD Telephone Handset Imemational Symbol of Amplification Symbol Symbol Accessibility COMMUNICATION AND THE ADA 3 Discriminatory policies such as prohibiting hearing assistance dogs What types of Discriminatory eligibility criteria such as restricting access to goods and services unless POLICIES AND necessary for the provision of goods and services PRACTICES NEED TO BE MODIFIED? Perform a facility accessibility audit that includes identification of communication barriers What is the best way Determine auxiliary aids and services needs to ensure COST- Develop a plan to remove barriers and acquire assistive devices EFFECTIVE ADA COMPLIANCE? Perform ongoing audit and maintenance of accessibility features Modify discriminatory policies, practices, and procedures Obtain technical assistance and consult with rehabilitation professionals, disability organizations, consumers, fedeiful agencies as appropriate Ask people about their needs, show respect and sensitivity, use what works (not necessarily what is most expensive), use your resources creatively and effectively. The BOTTOM LINE This document is available in the following formats: large print. audiotape. computer disk. braille, electronic bulletin boat d (202-514-6193). from the This document provides general infonnatkm to promote voluntary compliance v. ith the American% with Disabiliiies Act (ADA). It \Sas prepared under a grant those U.S. Department of Justice. While the Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act has reviewed its contents. any opinions or interpretations in the document arc Department's t,DA of thc American Specch-Language-lkaring Association and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice. The ADA itself and the regulations should be consulted for further. ore specific guidance. AMEN( AN Produced by American Speech-Language-I fearing Association. SIT.R14-LANt. 10801 Rockville Pike. Rocks ilk. MD 2052, 8 HFAR1Nt 1-800-638-S255 (V/TDDt. 301-H97-570N Vt: 301-X97 -0157 (TDD). Assoc ATION 5 4 COMMUNICATION AND THE ADA