The American Disabilities Act and it’s Affect

Fatima Naji
 American with Disabilities Act

• Legislation signed July 26th, 1990

• Has five articles dividing the areas of public life.
• Prohibits any form of distinction of people with disabilities.
• To give the same opportunities to all people regardless of social standpoint.
• “Equal opportunities” for people with disabilities mimicking the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
 Disabilities in the U.S

• Physical and mental impairments that keep one from doing day-to-day activities.
• Physical impairments include medical disorders/ illness.
• Mental impairments include psychological disorders and/or intellectual incapability.
• Examples: AIDS, Multiple sclerosis, hearing/ speech impairments

• More information:
• https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/disabilities-recognized-under-ada
 Title II: State and Local Government
Subtitle A
• Specifies all government programs and
affiliations accessible to individuals even
with disability.
• Rights to participate in government
services/ activities.
• Examples: voting, attending public
schools, applying for business licensing
Subtitle B
• Public and private entities must meet ADA
transportation requirements.
• Transportation services must have
operating assistance in working conditions
• Examples: airport shuttles, buses, lifts and
ramps
 Affect of ADA on student life

• The Americans with Disabilities Act gives students in this country a better chance to
improve their quality of life.
• Improves ways to enhance learning for certain disorders such as autism.
• Raises the awareness of people with disabilities in relation to their own personal capability.
• Gives more opportunity for fairness in the treatment from others.
• Encourages disabled persons to strive higher.
 Transitioning to Higher Education

2014 survey to show what students with

disabilities had planned to do when finishing
high school.
Even though, most did not continue, this
makes aware to the public eye that the
motivation for education is evident and
should be valued more so that as a
population the education level rises in the Plan to attend 2/4 year college
US. Plan to complete training course
 Assistive Technology

• Any type of device used to improve the function/ quality for individuals that
are disabled.
• Commonly used in school systems for students with learning disabilities.
• Enhances the process of learning for the student.
• Convenient for instructors to use when teaching.
 Captioning on YouTube Videos

• Follows the amendment of the ADA

• Gives accessibility to people who are deaf or have trouble hearing properly.
• Reading as well as hearing is better for the brain to comprehend the information
 Alt- tag accessibility

• Alt tags are used when images cannot be displayed

• Alternate texts are created
• Describes the image
• Accommodates the blind/ visually impaired
 Alt-tag in Microsoft

• Able to add in Microsoft Word.

• Description of pictures, clip art, Art objects and charts are used.

• Below is a link that demonstrates how to create an alt tag in word documents.
• https://commonlook.com/resources/manuals/user-guide-commonlook-office-word/user-
guide-commonlook-office-accessibility-guidelines-ms-word-alt-text/
 Blinking/Flashing Content in Documents

• Should be avoided in documents

• May induce seizures of people with photosensitive seizure disorder.
• Guidelines used in broadcasting industries must meet desired frequency.
• Sensitivity to red is more concerning that other colors in some circumstances.
 Sip-and-Puff

• This assistive technology sends signals to the device using air pressure by inhaling and
exhaling on a tube.
• A device that allows individuals to control the indicator.
• Used for someone who doesn’t have the ability to use their hands.
• Commonly used for early elementary and intermediate elementary/middle school grade
levels.
 Read and Write feature

• A literacy software with devices intended for reading and writing.

• Includes speech-to-text to help when typing.
• Overall 20 tools combined in Read & Write.
• Features: Help single students research with useful study skill tools.
 Ghotit

• Literacy software solutions to help improve students skills, struggling with writing and
reading.
• Able for adults and children to handle their reading and writing work assignments in work
and school.
• Commonly ideal for people with disorders such as dyslexia and dysgraphia.
 References

• https://adata.org/learn-about-ada
• https://www.atia.org/at-resources/what-is-at/
• https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/disabilities-recognized-under-ada
• https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/seizure-does-not-violate.html
• https://commonlook.com/resources/manuals/user-guide-commonlook-office-word/user-
guide-commonlook-office-accessibility-guidelines-ms-word-alt-text/
• https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-planning-with-learning-disabilities/
• https://www.closingthegap.com/ghotit-got-right-assistive-technology-understands/