A Guide to Accessible Programming
There are many steps in making a program completely accessible; below are some
resources that can help you get started. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a
guide to assist you in ensuring that your programs and activities are accessible for all
people. Please note: inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement, but is
provided for informational purposes only.
General Resources About the ADA:
Understanding what is and is not covered under the ADA can be complicated. The
resources below can help your organization identify what aspects – whether physical
or programmatic – should be altered to ensure accessibility for all.
ADA Accessibility Standards 2010 – Current Accessibility Standards for
renovations, additions and new construction of buildings and facilities
http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm
ADA National Network (Regional Centers) – Through its 10 regional centers, the
ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
(800) 949-4232 (Voice /TTY)
www.adata.org
Chicago Accessibility Code – Questions should be directed to the Mayor’s Office for
Persons with Disabilities (MOPD) Accessibility Compliance Unit.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd/provdrs/comply.html
Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium – Empowers Chicago’s cultural spaces
to become more accessible to visitors with disabilities.
http://chicagoculturalaccess.weebly.com/
City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
(312) 744-7050 (312) or 744 4964 (Toll Free/TTY)
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd.html
Great Lakes ADA Center – Regional ADA Center for Technical Assistance and
Training on the ADA.
(800)-949-4232 (V/TTY)
www.adagreatlakes.org
Illinois Accessibility Code – Illinois has additional standards beyond the federal
ADA.
http://www.illinois.gov/cdb/business/codes/pages/illinoisaccessibilitycode.aspx
The Chicago Community Trust – “Renewing the Commitment” An ADA Compliance
Guide for Nonprofits
http://www.cct.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/05/RenewingADACommitment_0211.pdf
Title III (Privately owned and operated programs and services) –
Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations and in
commercial facilities
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_regulations.pdf
U.S. Access Board – A federal agency that promotes equality for people with
disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of
accessibility guidelines and standards
(800) 872-2253 (Voice), (800) 993-2822 (TTY)
www.access-board.gov
U.S. Department of Justice, Disability Rights Division
(800) 514-0301 (Voice), (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
www.ada.gov
Accessibility at Your Cultural Organization:
In addition to the general resources listed above, there are a number of useful
resources specific to the accessibility of cultural organizations.
Bodies of Work – A network of artists and organizations whose art illuminates the
disability experience. –
http://www.ahs.uic.edu/dhd/bodiesofwork/
Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrators Handbook
http://arts.gov/publications/design-accessibility-cultural-administrators-handbook
Listen Tech- makes iDSP, a new generation of personal listening products that can
be used in various places where it’s difficult to hear, like: theaters, lecture halls,
concert venues, houses of worship, and more.
1-800-330-0891 or 1-801-233-8992
http://www.listentech.com/
The Kennedy Center – One of the leading experts in accessibility with many tip
sheets and resources. See below for a full listing of resource topics.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility/education/lead/resources.html
Tip Sheets:
• The Color Red in Design
• Captioning and CART
• Large Print Programs
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• Radio Frequency, Induction Loop, and Infrared Assistive Listening Systems
• Producing and Distributing Braille and Large Print Programs
• Service Animals and the Revised ADA Regulations
• Staff Training Resources
• Universal Design Resources on the Web
• Universal Principles of Online Accessible Ticketing
• The Impact of the 2010 Regulations on Hold and Release Policies for
Wheelchair Accessible Seating
Books and Brochures:
• Assistive Listening Devices for People with Hearing Loss – A Guide for
Performing Arts Settings
• Audio Description for People with Vision Loss – A Guide for Performing Arts
Settings
• Sensory Friendly Programming for People with Social & Cognitive Learning
Disabilities
Website Accessibility:
An organization’s website is one of the first places patrons visit for information and
it is vital that your website is accessible to all audiences. Below are some guidelines
and a resource to help evaluate the accessibility of your site.
Knowbility – Organization that has done a lot of work with the Arts/Culture
Community regarding Web Accessibility and performs web accessibility evaluations
http://www.knowbility.org/
Section 508 Web Accessibility Standards
http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-andit/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards
U.S. DOJ Fact Sheet on Web Accessibility for Local and State Governments
http://www.ada.gov/websites2.htm
Accessible and Effective Communication:
People who have vision, hearing or speech disabilities (“communication disabilities”)
use different ways to communicate. To ensure all people can enjoy performances,
screenings, panels and other experiences, there are a number of accommodations
organizations can make to improve communication. The most standard are:
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American Sign Language Interpreters
Captioning for videos
Communications Access in Real-time Translation (CART)
Audio Description
Touch Tours
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View a general fact sheet about different types of communications here:
http://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm
Audio Description Associates, LLC. – Audio Description provides access to the
visual elements – action, costumes, settings, gestures, facial expressions and other
visually engaging images – of television/film, museum exhibitions, theater and a
variety of events.
(301) 920-0218
http://www.audiodescribe.com/
Chicago Hearing Society – Empowers deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people to
communicate and collaborate by providing an array of services including interpreter
and CART services.
(773) 248-9121
http://www.chicagohearingsociety.org/
Efficiency Reporting – CART and Captioning
(630) 682-8887
http://www.efficiencyreporting.com/
Wilde Mouth – Chicago-based professional Voice Actor and Audio Describer for
ensuring performances and screenings are accessible to X and Y.
(773) 895-5691
http://wildemouth.com/
Training Resources:
Great Lakes ADA Center – Regional ADA Center for Technical Assistance and
Training on the ADA
800-949-4232 (V/TTY)
www.adagreatlakes.org
JJ’s List – Communications and marketing social enterprise that helps businesses
incorporate disability-aware marketing, customer services and employment best
practices into core business strategies.
(847) 869-0000
http://www.jjslist.com/
Open Doors Organization – Makes goods and services accessible to people with
disabilities in the travel and tourism industry.
(773) 388-8839
www.opendoorsnfp.org
Contributing Organizations: ADA 25 Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium
www.ada25chicago.org
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