Access Board Issues Polling Place Checklist
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments must ensure access to their programs and services, including voting. The U.S. Department of Justice, which regulates and enforces these requirements, has issued an accessibility checklist for polling places. This new publication is designed to help local jurisdictions in selecting sites for polling places through an evaluation of architectural accessibility. With the checklist, users can identify barriers to access and determine how best to address them. Based on the ADA’s design requirements for buildings and facilities, the checklist covers access to parking, passenger drop-off areas, sidewalks, and entrances so that all areas and elements used by voters are accessible. The checklist can be downloaded from the Department’s Web site at www.ada.gov/votingck.htm. Print copies can be ordered through its ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
World Bank to Fund Access Projects in Developing Countries
The Access Board is participating in a new program on accessibility organized by the World Bank. Established to fight poverty and improve the living standards of people in the developing world, the World Bank provides loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge sharing services. It undertakes much of its work through partnerships with other international institutions and donors, the private sector, civil society, and professional and academic associations. Through a new partnership effort, the World Bank seeks to heighten awareness of, and develop guidance on, accessibility and disability in funded projects, particularly those relating to civil works and infrastructure. The Board is serving on an advisory committee organized by the World Bank to oversee this program. The Board is exploring additional opportunities to work with international groups and nations in promoting accessibility worldwide through enhanced cooperation and partnerships. For further information on this Board effort, e-mail David Capozzi at capozzi@access-board.gov.
Ticket to Work
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 was enacted on December 17, 1999. This law increases beneficiary choice in obtaining rehabilitation and vocational services to help them go to work and attain their employment goals; removes barriers that require people with disabilities to choose between health care coverage and work; and assures that more Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits.
Most Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries receive a “ticket” they may use to obtain vocational rehabilitation, employment or other support services from an approved provider of their choice to help them go to work and achieve their employment goals. The Program is voluntary and for more information you can visit their Web site www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html or call, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, 800-772-1213 (voice) or 800-325-0778 (TTY).
Find Accessible Homes Online
FindAccessibleHomes.com, a site sponsored by a commercial realtor, was developed to assist persons with disabilities in acquiring their own accessible homes. Thousands of homes are listed. Realtors seasoned in helping people find homes that are accessible will also find the site useful. The site offers links to others that have disability products, helpful web sites for persons with disabilities and school reports that can tell you about schools in potential relocation areas. For more information, visit their site at www.findaccessiblehomes.com/.
Mary Kate Carew is Assistant Public Affairs Officer.
