Welcome to the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center's quarterly Accessible Technology Bulletin

Technology Trainings & Events

Accessible Technology Offered at One-Stop Workforce Centers

One-Stop Workforce Centers are the centerpiece of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). The One-Stop system operates through a network of centers in each state. These workforce centers provide job training, education, and employment services at a single neighborhood location. States are required to have at least one center located in each local service delivery area. Any city or county with a population of 500,000 or more is automatically approved as a local workforce investment area.

Every individual, including people with disabilities, has the right to access the basic services offered by a Center. These services include skill assessments; information on employment and training opportunities; and unemployment services, such as job search and placement assistance and up-to-date information on job vacancies.

The On-stop centers are accessible for people with disabilities. Under the law, it is not sufficient that the One-Stop system simply respond to requests for assistance and accommodations from people with disabilities. When local One-Stop systems design services, they also are required to proactively anticipate the needs of people with various physical, mental, and sensory disabilities. The following is a list of technology a user with a disability could expect to see to ensure accessible resources.

• Accessible work station: At least one computer work station for customers that is as universally accessible as possible for customers with disabilities.
• Large monitor: For people with low vision, a 19" - 21" monitor with a moveable mounting arm that provides increased character size and a clearer, sharper image
• Screen enlargement capability: The computers that allow users with low vision to enlarge the print on the monitors screen
• Voice output capability: For people with visual disabilities and reading limitations, a work station that can read text on the screen and convert the text into voice output; computer has a headphone jack and headphones
• Flatbed scanner: A scanner that can convert a paper document into electronic format useful for people who access information through voice output and/or need documents converted to Braille.
• Trackball: A work station with a trackball as an alternative to a mouse. This is useful for customers who have gross motor skills but lack fine motor skills.
• Alternative keyboard: For people with a variety of disabilities, including those with limited use of their hands and those who tire easily, a modified version of the standard keyboard that allows key selection by variable hand and finger motion
• Word prediction software: Word prediction software that enables the user to reduce the number of keystrokes used in typing
• Large keyboard caps and keyboard orientation aides: For customers with low vision, a work station with key markings that enlarge letters and numbers on the keyboard
• Braille printer: A Braille printer for use by customers and staff
• Height adjustable table: Work stations and work tables include height-adjustable tables for use by wheelchair users
• Tape recorder: A tape recorder for customers who have difficulty taking notes to tape presentations and discussions, and for staff to make audio recordings of written material
• Portable Assistive Listening Device: A portable assistive listening device available for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. These devices increase the loudness of the speaker while reducing background noise.

For more information about the One-stop Centers and complete accessibility requirements visit One-Stop Centers: Service Accessibility Checklist.

2008 Accessible Technology On-line Seminars

The Great Lakes ADA Center is sponsoring a new on-line seminar series on accessible technology in 2008. The goal of the series is to increase awareness on technology accessibility for people with disabilities.

State Laws Addressing Accessibility

Several states have passed and implemented laws specific to website and other technology accessibility. This seminar will highlight the recently passed Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act and talked about other states that have implemented such laws.

Accessible Computer Applications

Many jobs now require interaction with various computer applications, such as record keeping and database systems. Inaccessibility of these applications can seriously hinder job performance for individuals with disabilities. This seminar will discuss accessibility issues with common workplace computer applications and how to make them accessible.

ADA and Website Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not explicitly discuss whether it applies to websites, and thus far, there have been few cases. Website accessibility cases courts have reached different conclusions as to whether websites are covered under the ADA. This session will discuss recent legal developments and their potential implications.

e-Learning and Accessibility

It is expected that e-learning will become part of everyday life in many organizations in the next few years. As e-Learning expands, the gap will widen between people who can fully benefit from e-Learning and those who will be excluded because of inaccessible design. This seminar will address strategies for businesses to improve their knowledge and implementation of accessible e-Learning.

The seminar series is free, but pre-registration is required. Registration will be available from the Great Lakes ADA website soon. Please contact Janet Peters for more information or with questions.

Illinois Volunteers Needed

The Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (PA 095-0307) was passed on August 20, 2007. As part of the law, the Department of Human Services is required to identify the specific accessibility standards that will be used by the State. DHS is currently reaching out to stakeholders and interested parties to assist in this effort.

Individuals can find detailed information about the IITAA, the standards, and the activities of the work group at the project web site: www.dhs.state.il.us/iitaa

Individuals can also submit questions and/or suggestions to the group using the project email address: dhs.accessibility@illinois.gov.

Individuals interested in assisting in the standards-development process should send an email to the address above with your contact information and any specific areas of interest or expertise. If you know of anyone else who might like to participate, please feel free to share this invitation.