Tax Access Making VITA Sites Accessible to Persons

Tax. Access Making VITA Sites Accessible to Persons with Disabilities

This presentation is brought to you by: REI Tour Tax. Access A collaborative effort of: § DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center (a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University) § Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour § National Disability Institute § Internal Revenue Service

Statistics § 58 million Americans with disabilities… 1 in 5 (20% of the population) § 20 million families have at least one (1) member with a disability Source: www. census. gov

Access Is A Civil Right

Americans with Disabilities Act Obligations for businesses § Equal Access Facility Access § Access to Goods & Services § Effective Communication § Reasonable Modification of Policies and Procedures §

Serving People With Disabilities At Your VITA Site

Facility Access People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter as freely as everyone else.

Facility Access: Parking Do you have accessible parking available? § 8 feet wide for car plus 5 - foot access aisle § 8 -foot-wide plus 8 -foot- access aisles for lift equipped vans

Facility Access: Parking § The ADA requires at least one accessible parking space for every 25 parking spaces. § At least one accessible parking space must be vanaccessible. § For large parking lots, 1 of every 8 accessible parking spaces should be van-accessible.

Facility Access: Parking § Are the accessible parking spaces closest to the accessible entrance? § Are accessible spaces marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility? ADA Business Brief: Restriping Parking Lots http: //www. ada. gov/restribr. pdf

Facility Access: Accessible Route § Is there a route of travel to the building entrance that does not require the use of steps or stairs? § Is the route of travel stable, firm and slipresistant? § Is the route at least 36 inches wide?

Facility Access: Accessible Route Can all objects protruding into the accessible route be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane?

Facility Access: Building Entrance § If there are stairs at the main entrance, is there also a ramp or lift, or is there an alternative accessible entrance? § Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance?

Facility Access: Building Entrance § Can doors be opened without too much force? § If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?

Access to VITA Services Are VITA services located on an accessible path of travel that is at least 36 inches wide?

Access to VITA Services In circulation paths, are all obstacles cane-detectable (located within 27 inches of the floor or higher than 80 inches, or protruding less than 4 inches from the wall)?

Universal Access Providing good facility access benefits everyone. It allows the person with a disability and older adults to easily travel from a parking lot or drop off area to where the actual VITA services are being provided inside your building. Parents with small children & baby strollers, delivery workers, staff carrying packages also benefit from good accessible design and it makes your facility safer for everyone.

Effective Communication Public and private entities must take steps to ensure that their communications with people with disabilities are as effective as communications with others.

Ten tips for working with people with disabilities I. Speak directly. II. Offer to shake hands when introduced. III. Always identify yourself and others who may be with you when meeting someone with a visual disability. IV. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. V. Treat adults as adults. VI. Do not lean against or hang on someone's wheelchair and whenever possible place yourself at eye level with the wheelchair user. Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish. VII. Tap a person who has a hearing disability on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his or her attention. VIII. Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted common expressions. IX. X. Use “People First” Language.

Do not get swept up in Stereotypes Aaron Fotheringham, Extreme Wheelchair Sportsman www. aaronfotheringhma. com Persons with disabilities come in all ages, culture and financial backgrounds. People with disabilities work They have families Not all persons with disabilities are on or receive benefits such as SSI, Medicaid etc. They have goals and dreams All people with disabilities do not necessarily want assistance

Other Common Stereotypes § § § People who are blind who have low vision may wear glasses People who are deaf may have excellent speech and read lips but not all Not all people that use wheelchairs are completely paralyzed – some may transfer or be able to walk short distances Delayed or slow speech is not necessarily a sign of a slowed mental process All people with disabilities do not necessarily want assistance – best rule is to always ASK how you may assist Persons with disabilities come in all ages, culture and financial backgrounds.

Effective Communication “Auxiliary aids and services” are devices or services that enable effective communication for people with disabilities.

Auxiliary Aids & Services For People with Visual Disabilities § § § Large print materials (18 pt. font or larger) Braille materials Audio recordings Materials in electronic format Reading written information aloud to customer Providing assistance to complete forms

Auxiliary Aids & Services For People with Hearing & Speech Disabilities § § § § Instructions and other information in written format Exchange of written notes Typing on computer Text messaging Assistive listening devices Qualified interpreters Video interpreting services TTY and/or Relay Service

When a person with a disability requests an auxiliary aid or service: § Consult with the individual about their choice of aid or service. § Businesses cannot charge the person for the communication aids or services provided.

Policies and Procedures What are the policies & procedures for serving people with disabilities at your VITA site? Examples: § How do you process an accommodation request from a customer with a disability? § Have all VITA workers been informed about the site’s accessible features and customer service practices?

Reasonable Modifications of Policies and Procedures Examples: § Service Animals § Food and Drink § Extended Appointment Time § Alternate Signature

Do’s Service Animals Don’ts §Don’t ask the person what their § Do expect that the animal is to be kept under control by the handler at all times. § Do allow service animals into all public establishments § May ask the person if they have a disability, if an animal is a service animal or ask how the animal assists the individual but cannot require special ID cards (certification) for the animal or ask specifics about the person’s disability is? §Don’t ask the person to demonstrate the animal’s tasks §Don’t ask for “proof” of disability or training. §Don’t pet or talk to the animal without asking the handler first §Don’t assume individual is blind, or not disabled, Many persons have “invisible” disabilities such as epilepsy, heart conditions etc. §Don’t charge extra fees or isolate from other patrons §Don’t think you are required to provide care or food for a service animal

Keys to Success Establish Partnerships éDisability Specific Organizations éArea Agencies on Aging éCenters for Independent Living http: //ilru. org/html/publications/directory/index. html

Keys to Success Become Familiar with Resources Tax. Access Project Resource Web Page http: //sedbtac. org/taxaccess/

Still Have Questions? For more information about serving people with disabilities: Real Economic Impact Tour National Disability Institute Website: www. realeconomicimpact. org Voice: 202. 296. 2040 Email: info@realeconomicimpact. org