Date post: | 27-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | adrian-austin |
View: | 217 times |
Download: | 3 times |
Presenter Information
Erin VolkProgram Manager Event Planning & Administration
Accessing Safety Initiative
Vera Institute of Justice
Voice: 646-457-8057
Email: [email protected]
AIM: Erin at Vera
Importance of Providing Access at OVW TA Sponsored Meetings
OVW has a commitment to providing highest level of access to all participants
Legal requirement: Title II of the ADA (American’s With Disabilities Act)
Moral obligation: It is the right thing to do Movement philosophy: The inclusion of
traditionally underserved populations
Scenario Exercise
On each table there is a scenario What steps would you take to address the
problem outlined in your scenario? In your groups: 8 minutes to discuss Assign a recorder and take notes on the
flipcharts Report back
Scenario #1- Last Minute Interpreter Request
You are holding a meeting in a rural state. Two days before the meeting, you find out that two participants are Deaf and will need interpreters. When you review your OVW approved budget, you confirm that it does not include funding to cover the costs of contracting for interpreters.
Scenario #2- Insufficient Number of Accessible Rooms at Hotel
You have to hold a meeting in a specific city. You have checked every decent hotel in the city, and none have enough accessible rooms. You will have to place some participants in an overflow hotel.
Scenario #3-Inaccessible “Accessible” Rooms at the Hotel
When choosing your hotel, you called an asked if the hotel had accessible rooms. The hotel tells you that they have just finished a major renovation and they now have 10 accessible rooms. You need five of these rooms, which the hotel is happy to assign to you in your contract. When people begin arriving on the day before your meeting starts, you are informed by one participant who uses a wheelchair and one participant that is Deaf, that their "accessible" rooms are not accessible.
Goals of Scenario Exercise: Discussion Demonstrate “real life” accessibility challenges “Damage control/crisis management” model vs.
pro-active approach to planning Emphasize on prevention
Scenario #1-Pro-active Management
Research the availability and quality of interpreters. Get referrals.
Start building a relationship with recommended interpreter agencies.
Place a tentative hold on a set of interpreters until you can complete your registration period.
Scenario #1-cont. Include a line item for interpreters in your budget. If not budget not included, see if you can use
discretionary funds from your organization. Have all your participants complete a registration form-
two months prior to the event. Include questions that ask about the accommodations
participants may need.
Sample Registration Question
Interpreting Needs
American Sign Language (ASL) Cued Speech Oral/English Speaking Signed English Simulations Communication Other _____________________ None
Sample Registration Question
Alternative Formats
Braille Large Font Simple Language Program None of the above Other_______________________
*Please inform us of any additional accommodations you require for the meeting sessions. Be as specific as possible.
Scenario #1-Follow-up/Follow through
Run weekly reports from your registration database on accommodations
Follow up with participants about all accommodation requests received.
Follow up with participants about what arrangements have been made to meet request.
Scenario #1-cont.
Send Interpreters as much specific information on the as possible PRIOR to the meeting.
Facilitate the introduction of the Deaf participants and Interpreters on site.
Scenario #3-Proactive Management
In Hotel RFP Process include an ADA questionnaire.
Conduct an on-site accessibility audit of potential hotels that meet your accessibility needs.
During site audit ask to see equipment included in their Deaf accessible kits.
How can you tell if a room is really accessible? Several codes in ADAAG that specify ADA guestrooms. Furniture placement- 36 inch aisle ways/transfer room Lowered features (air controls, blow dryers, closets, light
switches, peepholes, towel racks, ect.) Toilets should be 17-19 inches from floor to lip of seat Pipes should be covered under sink. Should have accessible transfer bars in tub and around
toilet.
Cont.
Tub should have adjustable hand controls for the shower with a 60 inch hose.
Preset tub bench (for ADA tub rooms) ADA roll in shower rooms should have affixed
shower seat 17-19 inches from floor. Look for inconsistencies in installation from
room to room.
How can you tell rooms are accessible for Deaf Guests? Deaf Rooms/ADA Rooms often combined. Make sure all TV’s have closed caption option. Kits include: flashing doorknocker, bed shaking
alarm clock, TTY/TDD (install prior to check in) Make sure hotel staff is familiar with installation
of Deaf kits as well as how to operate the equipment
Scenario #3-Follow-up/Follow through
Conduct a “walk-thru” of the hotel the week of your event, PRIOR to guests checking in.
Assess the spaces for accessibility and make note of changes to be made.
Conduct a training for key hotel staff about accessibility.
Include questions about the hotel’s accessibility in your participant evaluation.
Scenario #2-Pro-active Management
Assess your group’s needs: How many Deaf Rooms vs. ADA rooms will the group use.
Send out the pre-site questionnaires and get the most accurate data on individual Hotel’s ADA Rooms.
Identify 2-4 hotels within close proximity of each other to assess potential for overflow hotel
Scenario #2-cont.
Do site visits of all the hotels, even the overflow ones.
Guarantee ADA rooms in hotel contract. Include a clause that prohibits from “walking”
guests in your group who have requested ADA rooms.
If overflow is too far from main hotel provide accessible transportation.
Take-Away Points Achieving accessibility in a proactive way
minimizes the amount of “damage control” on-site.
Plan ahead for all accommodation requests. Follow up on all accommodation requests you
receive- infuse customer serviced approach. Accessible meeting planning practices
increases the experience of all participants.