DBTAC: SOUTHEAST ADA CENTER A Project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University Celebrating Our Achievements: Making a Difference The DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center (Southeast DBTAC) and our State and Local Affiliate Network have been making a difference in people’s lives over the past 21 years We have worked in our communities to promote voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many “big things” have occurred through the years with the ADA that have received a lot of media attention. However, it is those hundreds of little steps toward achieving access and nondiscrimination on the basis of disability that we think are the “truly big” story. All across America individuals, with and without disabilities, have been making differences in people’s lives. It is these foot/wheelchair/scooter soldiers who are the real heroes in our fight for equal access, equal opportunity and equal participation in our communities. Congratulations to our colleagues, friends and associates who make up the powerful Southeast DBTAC ADA Network and have improved the lives of people with disabilities by promoting voluntary compliance. Table of Contents Accessible Parking (Local/State TN) Replication of Access Nashville Project LIFE of Mississippi AmeriCorps Site Survey Program South Carolina: Contractors Held Accountable ________________________________________ Accessible Parking (Local/State TN) The Tennessee Disability Coalition provided information on the ADA and parking obligations to the Oak Ridge, TN City Council members. Advocates in Oak Ridge were also providing input and information as the Council was considering changes in zoning. At the end of December, one of the Coalition’s board members who lives in Oak Ridge told us that the Oak Ridge City Council approved a change in their zoning parking lot requirements for businesses to include the “Priority for Wheelchair Users” signs as well as a sign stating who the towing company is and the fine. The Tennessee Disability Coalition Executive Director testified before the Tennessee General Assembly on March 30, 2011 regarding a bill that would require businesses that provide accessible parking spaces to provide van-accessible parking spaces in accordance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm). They provided materials that showed the sponsoring legislator the relationship between his bill and the federal requirements. Replication of Access Nashville Project This year, the disABILITY Resource Center (DRC) in Knoxville, TN initiated their post-ADA Symposium Accessibility Project, Access Knoxville, Phase I, in which they will use the Access Nashville Project as a model. Specifically, they will: 1. train students and staff (up to 10 individuals) to use the Access Nashville Project Replication Manual: Creating an Accessibility Project in Your Community and use the DRC PowerPoint Training presentation. 2. have students and staff complete an accessibility-friendly survey on three restaurants they have identified located in Merchant Village, Knoxville TN. 3. have DRC staff train youth in their WorkABILITY Academy on how to survey public and private accommodations. NOTE: They have already presented to the University of Tennessee College of Nursing, and these students (over 100) are currently surveying for school credit. 4. disseminate information through a website that is currently being developed. Background: The goal of Access Nashville is to gather information about “accessibility-friendly” restaurants, entertainment attractions, hotels and transportation services so that all customers can make informed choices about where to go in Nashville, Tennessee. http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/accessnashville LIFE of Mississippi AmeriCorps Site Survey Program The 2010-2011 AmeriCorps members were provided with general training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and more extensive training on the ADAAG Standards as well as how to most appropriately use the Readily Achievable Barrier Removal Checklist or a modified version of it. The training was completed on October 18-19, 2010. Local area businesses in both urban and rural locations were surveyed. City and County facilities were also surveyed. The sites targeted, both public and private, were those frequently used by consumers including those transitioning from nursing facilities back into the community. The Jackson LIFE Office had the largest number of initial site surveys for a total of 46. Statewide a total of 93 site surveys were completed by AmeriCorps members at LIFE of Mississippi’s six offices across the state. Site Survey Reports revealed that 12 businesses were found to be barrier free and accessible during the initial assessment. A total of 51 follow-ups were completed. Of the 51 sites where follow-ups were completed, 15 were conducted at locations initially surveyed during the previous fiscal year. As a result, a total of 36 follow-ups were completed out of the 93 sites surveyed this fiscal year, or approximately 39% as compared to 32% last year. These follow-ups revealed that a total of 10 sites (or approximately 28%) have either followed through with the AmeriCorps members’ recommendations for barrier removal, made partial modifications, or are in the process of doing so. Site survey follow-ups are necessary in order to accurately measure the outcomes and determine if there has been any increased accessibility in the community. The AmeriCorps members are to be commended on the number of site surveys completed. By completing these surveys, the Program has increased awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act, tax incentives to make modifications, and how completing the needed modifications is a good investment in enhancing their customer base. South Carolina: Contractors Held Accountable Anderson County has taken a stand to uphold its commitment to the ADA and refused to sign off and make payments until ADA compliance is achieved. New language has been added to all contracts to ensure that the County’s position on full compliance is clearly defined and carried out. 1419 Mayson Street ? Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 541-9001 ? (800) 949-4232 (v/tty) ? (404) 541-9002 (Fax) sedbtacproject@law.syr.edu ? www.sedbtac.org Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education #H133A060094