As part of our advocacy, #OneAccesibility, we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
The ADA Act became law in the United States in 1990. It protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensures access in five main areas:
- Employment Rights
- Public Services
- Public Accommodations
- Telecommunications
- Miscellaneous other Protections
This final post will cover telecommunications, employment rights, and all the miscellaneous protections.
Telecommunications
In the past, the most common implementation of this portion of the ADA included TTY services. However, modern technology and it’s increasing presence has introduced many new possibilities. At the moment, the most exciting action under this area of the ADA Act concerns the accessibility of the internet.
“The Department is currently developing regulations specifically addressing the accessibility of goods and services offered via the web by entities covered by the ADA. The fact that the regulatory process is not yet complete in no way indicates that web services are not already covered by title III.” — Statement of Interest of the United States Department of Justice in NAD v. Netflix (page 10)
My favorite implementations always involve creative workarounds and enhanced services. Foxtrot, a cafe in a new shopping center in Montana, has a nearly four-foot (1.2 m) high counter on all sides. They do not have TTY services, and there is no lower counter where individuals in wheelchairs can receive service. Instead, they provide a free mobile application for placing orders and/or requesting table service, featured on their signage. The more technology advances, the more these types of comprehensive the solutions can be offered at an achievable budget.
Employment Rights
Broader than we think, employment rights promise respect with regard to all major life activities. Employers shall not discriminate in hiring, training, advancement or discharge. Workplaces are to accommodate needs for employment activities. This protection covers both physical and psychological differences. The most interesting aspect of these rights is the definition of “major life activities,” which have been legally fought (and won) to include activities such as seeing, eating, walking, standing, speaking, reading - even concentrating and thinking.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous provisions often cover the time between when new needs are established and they are added into other areas of the ADA. The open door of “miscellaneous” creates the opportunity to advocate for change, both in person and through legal action if necessary. For this reason, “miscellaneous” is the silent hero of the ADA.
Despite all the efforts, significant disparities remain in employment, transportation, education, housing, healthcare, and many other basic rights. Many advocacy organizations in the United States rely on user-generated-content for data gathering, tracking, establishing and confirming accessibility information. Our documentation and sharing as Local Guides are extremely useful when advocating, requesting and (if necessary) demanding change.
More important, many individuals are able to anticipate how well their needs will be met through Google Maps information. As Local Guides our information often fills the gap where legislation has not yet been able to do so. Working knowledge of the ADA Act can help us better understand which components are most useful to document from the perspective of the individuals who must use this legislation to enforce their equality every day. #OneAccessibility
Have you seen any creative technological solutions that work for accessibility? Do you have any ideas for easily actionable ways to implement accessibility? Do you have a question, suggestion or contribution? Comment below! Read last week’s roundup here.
