With the increasing number of students enrolling in distance education, there is a need to consider the accessibility of course materials in online learning environments. Four major groups of disabilities: mobility, auditory, visual, and cognitive are explored as they relate to their implementation into instructional design and their impact on…

The golden summer of sport is now over, but what is the legacy of London 2012 for disabled people? Nadia Ahmed, a disabled student, discusses the difficulties she has faced in finding accessible accommodation in London. She argues that while the Games are over, the United Kingdom still has lots of hurdles to leap when it comes to disability. The…

The odds that a school district might be asked to allow a service dog or miniature horse into one of its facilities have increased tremendously in light of new legislative changes. With those changes comes a host of fresh challenges for school administrators and policy makers--not the least of which are complex disability discrimination laws and…

Discusses the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) regulations regarding public facilities' crowd control stanchions and queuing systems. The major elements are protruding objects and wheelchair accessibility. Describes how to maintain compliance with the regulations and offers a list of additional…

Discusses how to create or refocus a transition plan for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Steps include documenting needs, documenting solutions, prioritizing needs, and creating a schedule. Also briefly addresses accessibility requirements, the concept of undue burden, finding help, and summarized Title II requirements.…

Presents an interview with Stephen McCarthy, co-partner and president of Equal Access ADA Consulting Architects of San Diego, California, about designing schools to naturally integrate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (EV)

Discusses the recommendations of a federal advisory committee to the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board for minimum standards of accessibility at play areas. According to the board, a proposed rule addressing accessibility guidelines will come out in late 1996. (MLF)

Adaptive aids which can help individuals with disabilities to get around more easily are described, including ramps, portable ramps, lifts, doors, and doorways. The use of professional assistance in selecting adaptive aids and use of the ABLEDATA database are noted. Appended is a list of companies which manufacture adaptive equipment. (JDD)

When students think about the obstacles they must overcome to get into a school, most probably are thinking in terms of SATs, ACTs or other entrance exams. However, for students with disabilities, the obstacles they face often are literal ones: manual doors. Accommodating those with disabilities or physical limitations is one reason for schools to…

This updated annotated bibliography of 93 items is intended for people who design spaces and facilities to be accessible for people with disabilities and for those who assure that such facilities are in compliance with regulations. It cites books, chapters in books, articles, and pamphlets, most of which were published from 1988 to 1993. It also…

The booklet discusses designing barrier free nature areas to allow accessibility for handicapped persons. Among the aspects covered are site accessibility (including parking, loading and unloading areas, and directional information); walkways (including gradients, ramps, stops and curbs, width, surface material, and mechanical guides); rest areas…

The manual provides suggestions to help local education agencies comply with regulations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Chapter 1 reviews the general provisions of Section 504 on such topics as program and structural accessibility, transportation, and specific prohibitions. Chapter 2 deals with requirements for employment…

Briefly describes different designs for college chemistry laboratories to help mobility handicapped students working in them. (SK)

Perceptions were obtained from 480 college student services officers concerning compliance of their employing institutions with selected provisions of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (specifically Section 504). The survey instrument presented a statement from each of 24 provisions of the two Acts.…

A selection of available resources from various agencies is presented to inform the older adult about such issues as: (1) special travel arrangements for travelers with unusual needs; (2) accommodations; (3) local transportation, (4) recreational activities; and (5) fashions for the changing body. (JN)