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Disability - a mental or physical impairment that limits major life
activities. People with disabilities include someone using a walker, someone
who has a visual disability and someone with a hidden illness such as
diabetes, emphysema or heart disease. DOJ - Department of Justice - the federal agency responsible for the
enforcement of Title II (State and Local Governments/Public Services) and
Title III (Public Accommodations/Privately Owned) of ADA. EEOC - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - the federal agency
responsible for the enforcement of Title I (Employment) of ADA. FHA - Fair Housing Act - federal legislation that covers residential and
multi-family dwellings, regardless of whether they are publicly or privately
funded or owned. Good Faith Effort - what building owners, facility executives and all
businesses were required to begin making on Jan. 26, 1992. A good faith
effort means taking steps to identify and remove barriers in a facility. It’s
not too late to start, unless of course a facility has already had a
complaint filed against it. Grandfathering - ADA has no provisions for grandfathering. All buildings,
whether new or in existence prior to ADA, are required to perform readily
achievable barrier removal. Maximum, Minimum - used as terms for placement of items such as
dispensers, mirrors or receptacles. New Construction - must meet the new construction requirements of ADAAG. Readily Achievable - the definition of readily achievable is
intentionally vague, as it is viewed on a case-by-case basis, with
consideration to structural ability and financial resources. What may not
have been affordable in 1992 may well be doable in 2004. Rehab Act - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - the federal
anti-discrimination law that covers governmental entities that receive
federal funding (public schools, municipalities, plus any private company
that had federal contracts in excess of $50,000 a year). Relay Number - each state has a relay number that individuals with
hearing or speech disabilities can use to communicate with anyone with a
regular phone. They are often used to make reservations, order merchandise or
schedule appointments. Risk Management - ADA issues have become synonymous with risk management.
Grab bars and handrails provide support; smooth sidewalks prevent trips and
falls, as do secure carpets and non-skid floor coverings. Tax Credits and Tax Deductions - available to eligible businesses that
identify and remove barriers. TDD/TTY - Telephone Devices for the Deaf - text telephones that allow
individuals with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate with regular
voice phones. UFAS - Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards - predecessor to ADAAG.
They were the technical requirements for compliance with the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. Once ADA was signed into law and ADAAG was developed, ADAAG
requirements have, for the most part, replaced UFAS standards. Universal
Design - the standard which all construction should achieve because it meets
the needs of everyone, from children to senior citizens. Wheelchair
Accessible - should not be confused with “only have a few steps to get in.”
Any change from level greater than a 1&Mac218;2 inch requires a ramp or
some other means to overcome it. There’s
one more term that’s important to know when it comes to ADA: welcome. That’s
the message that goes out to more than 54 million Americans with disabilities
and their families when a facility provides a barrier-free environment. Joan
Stein is president and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Accessibility Development
Associates Inc. FacilitiesNet
was created in 1995 by Trade Press Publishing Corporation. |
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