United Spinal Association has had a relationship with the Northeast Americans with Disabilities Act & Information Technology Center (ADA & IT) Center for many years. We have worked as an organization with this group, but we’d like to tell you, our members, of the services they offer that may be helpful to you.
After the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) established and now funds ten regional centers to provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA. The centers act as a “one-stop” central, comprehensive resource on ADA issues in employment, public services, public accommodations, and communications. Each center works closely with local business, disability, governmental, rehabilitation, and other professional networks to provide ADA information and assistance. Programs vary in each region, but all centers provide the following:
• Technical Assistance • Education and Training • Materials Dissemination • Information and Referral • Public Awareness • Local Capacity Building In addition to ADA services, the Centers assist individuals and entities in better understanding related disability legislation which may impact their rights or responsibilities. Information on the Rehabilitation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Workforce Investment Act, and others can typically be provided by a Center.
The ten ADA & IT Centers are found in the New England, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Southwest, Great Plains, Rocky Mountain, Pacific, and Northwest regions of the United States. You can reach your ADA & IT Center by calling 800-9494232 (V/TTY). This number will automatically route your call to the Center in your region.
So, if you find yourself with questions involving your rights, you can call for advice and information on what is required, who is covered, and how to work through a disability-related question in employment, architectural access, public services, and other areas.
Callers also may order materials from the Center’s extensive library of ADA and disability-related publications. Provided free or at low cost, these materials include the full regulations, technical assistance manuals, architectural guidelines, easy-to-read fact sheets and summaries, advice on how to make different types of businesses accessible to the public, and consultation on employment issues, such as reasonable accommodation. All materials are available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, tape, and computer disk.
For fast answers to general questions about the ADA, you can order a free copy of United Spinal’s booklet Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act by calling our toll-free publications hotline: 800-444-0120. United Spinal has enjoyed and benefited from our relationship with the regional ADA & IT Centers in our own backyards; we encourage individuals to take advantage of their extensive services across the country as well.
Betsy Berry is an education and outreach specialist at United Spinal.
