Checklist

Communications access refers to the way that information is received and transmitted. When evaluating your program in terms of access to communication, you will be assessing the four different ways in which communication occurs: aural (hearing), oral, cognitive, and visual. It is important to keep in mind that there are four distinct, broad populations that are affected by your level of accessibility in this area. These are persons with impaired hearing, speech, thinking, and sight.

In some ways, communications access can be more challenging to provide than architectural access. A well-built and designed ramp will provide access to a wide variety of persons with mobility impairments. Large print, on the other hand, will only provide access to a portion of the population with visual impairments.

1. Does your program have information that is communicated visually? (Note: information communicated visually includes brochures, enrollment forms, handbooks, videotapes, flip charts, slides, posters, graphic directional signs, and so forth.)
Yes _____
No _____

2. Does the program involve information that is communicated verbally?
Yes _____
No _____

3. Does the program inform persons with disabilities that communications aids and services are provided upon request? (Note: It is not sufficient solely to inform persons who have identified themselves as having an accommodation need. You must be able to inform the public-at-large.)
Yes _____
No _____

How do you do so?

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4. Does the program have a procedure for deciding which auxiliary aids and services to provide?
Yes _____
No _____

5. Does the procedure provide for consideration of an individual's preferred aid or service?
Yes _____
No _____

6. Does the procedure include a mechanism for determining that an aid or service that is provided, when it is not the one requested, is equally effective?
Yes _____
No _____

7. Does the program communicate with the public over the phone?
Yes _____
No _____

8. Are telephone conversations lengthy, complex, technical, or personal?
Yes _____
No _____

9. Does the program have a teletypewriter (TTY) for communicating with individuals who cannot use a standard telephone?
Yes _____
No _____

10. If so, have staff members been trained on the appropriate use of a TTY?
Yes _____
No _____

11. Is there a mechanism for re-training?
Yes _____
No _____

12. Are staff members trained in the use of the relay system?
Yes _____
No _____

13. Are staff members aware of the relay number?
Yes _____
No _____

14. Does the program have a web site?
Yes _____
No _____

15. Is the web site captioned?
Yes _____
No _____

16. Is there a mechanism for ensuring that people who are deaf or hearing impaired are aware of an activated fire or smoke alarm?
Yes _____
No _____

17. Is there an established emergency evacuation procedure that addresses the needs of persons with disabilities? (This should include the evacuation of persons with mobility impairments.)
Yes _____
No _____

18. Have staff members been trained in this procedure?
Yes _____
No _____

Please describe the training.

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