Accessibility Resources | ASL Interpreter Pros

A: Information on providing accommodations to people with disabilities, and effective communication from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section can be found here: Effective Communication

Q: Does the ADA permit an individual with a disability to sue a business when that individual believes that discrimination is about to occur, or must the individual wait for the discrimination to occur?

A: The ADA public accommodation provisions permit an individual to allege discrimination based on a reasonable belief that discrimination is about to occur. This provision, for example, allows a person who uses a wheelchair to challenge the planned construction of a new place of public accommodation, such as a shopping mall, that would not be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs. The resolution of such challenges prior to the construction of an inaccessible facility would enable any necessary remedial measures to be incorporated in the building at the planning stage, when such changes would be relatively inexpensive. Reference: ADATA FAQs

Q: Where can I get free access to free ADA Specialists?

A: Get free access to ADA Specialists: The ADA National Network provides informal guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability-related laws. 1-800-949-4232

Reference: Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance

Q: How do I know if a business is required to provide accessibility?

A: Check out this Public Accommodations FAQ sheet from the ADATA

Q: What are recommendations for digital accessibility for students in higher Education?

A: Check out this Research Brief for recommendations from the ADATA

Q: What is the ADA National Network?

A: The ADA National Network offers numerous resources, many of which are either free or available at a low cost, including:

ADA technical assistance via toll-free phone line and email
Web-based training and information
National ADA Symposium
Regional and state training conferences
ADA training webinars and podcasts
ADA and disability related materials and products

Contact the ADA National Network

Q: What Are an ADA Coordinator’s Responsibilities?

A: Overall, an ADA Coordinator must make sure that the public entity they work for meets its Title II responsibilities. They are the lead resource for accessibility and disability nondiscrimination regulations and should work with their public entity to comply with all Title II requirements, including those described below. Reference: ADA National Network Fact Sheet

Q: Does Title III of the ADA Require ADA Coordinators?

A: No. While not required, a private business or nonprofit covered by Title III of the ADA may choose to have an ADA Coordinator. These ADA Coordinators should coordinate and assure compliance with all Title III requirements. Reference: ADA National Network Fact Sheet

Q: What are the legal obligations of conference, workshop, and convention hosts in providing accessibility to people with disabilities?

A: Check out these recommendations from National Association of the Deaf

Q: What does the American Bar Association say about holding accessible events for persons with disabilities?

A: Check out this article from the American Bar Association

Q: What steps can I take when a business or entity decline my request for communication access accommodations?

A: Put your request for accommodations in writing (either physical or electronic). Make sure you have documentation (whether physical letter, email, or text) from a representative of the company/entity that they are declining your request for communication access accommodations. No response also counts as a decline to your accommodations request as long as you have attempted to reach out at least three times and it can be verified that the company did receive the communication. If you have phone or other conversations which are not in writing, DOCUMENT the date/ time of the conversation, the name and contact info of the person you spoke with, and then write (or sign a video) a summary of the conversation. If a company representative declines, ask for a supervisor and keep asking for the next person's superior until you get contact information to the highest person in charge (you can also ask for an HR office, or an official complaints department). DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER to advocate for the approval of reasonable accommodations before reaching out to community advocates or a legal advisor, and before you file an official complaint.

If the company's/entity's top leadership declines your request for reasonable accommodations, reach out to advocates such as the State consumer complaints department, state attorney general, or the National Association of the Deaf and provide them with a statement of what happened accompanied with documentation. You can always file a discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice.

Below are templates of letters in written English which self-advocate for communication access/ reasonable accommodations:

Template letter to a company/entity reporting decline of reasonable accommodations.

Template letter to the NAD requesting advocacy for reasonable accommodations.