Resources - ADA and Accessibility

Provides links to organizations specializing in compliance and other ADA issues.

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Adaptive Environments Center

Adaptive Environments Center is a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting access and universal design, locally, nationally and internationally through education programs, technical assistance, training, consultation, publications, and design advocacy. Work is project-based and varies in scope ranging from urban planning, culture, housing to and Access to the Design Professions.

The Disabilities Access Symbols Project

The Disabilities Access Symbols Project, developed with the Graphic Artists Guild Foundation, is a graphics package of 12 major access symbols on a computer disk designed to help organizations better advertise their accessible programs and facilities.
  

National Arts and Disability Center

The National Arts and Disability Center is the national information dissemination, technical assistance, training and referral center specializing in the field of arts and disability. The NADC is dedicated to the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into media, literary, visual, and performing arts communities. They respond to individual requests for information and technical assistance and in order to assist the arts communities.

The National Center for Accessible Media/WGBH (NCAM)

The National Center for Accessible Media/WGBH (NCAM) is a Boston-based research and development facility dedicated to the issues of media and information technology for people with disabilities in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.  NCAM's mission is: to expand access to present and future media for people with disabilities; to explore how existing access technologies may benefit other populations; to represent its constituents in industry, policy and legislative circles; and to provide access to educational and media technologies for special needs students.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts Office for AccessAbility is the advocacy-technical assistance arm of the Arts Endowment to make the arts accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and people living in institutions. The AccessAbility office has developed a wide range of partnerships with the public and private sectors. Their website provides a listing of publications on a broad range of ADA and Accessibility issues.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)

The Library of Congress, administers a free program that loans recorded and braille books and magazines, music scores in braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of a disability.

New England ADA Center

New England ADA Center, part of the ADA National Network, is a comprehensive resource for information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible information technology tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is a national membership organization of professionals who provide sign language interpreting/transliterating services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. RID advocates for the increased quality, qualifications, and quantity of interpreters through their three main triad of services: professional certification, professional development, and promoting a code of ethics for interpreters. 

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design is a useful tool developed by the Smithsonian to assist in making exhibitions fully accessible. Exhibition designers, curators, registrars, conservators, collections managers, designers, editors, developers, educators, and other exhibition team members find it useful in opening their exhibits to diverse audiences.

VSA arts

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization that seeks to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.  Within the United States, VSA arts programs are conducted by a network of VSA arts state organizations or in collaboration with an affiliated organization. Organizations within the VSA arts network maintain strong connections to the home office in Washington, DC, a relationship that includes funding, participation in conferences, networking, the use of resources, technical assistance and programming, as well as sharing best practices and strategies among peers.