Access for All Accessible Events for People with Disabilities Josh Rucker, Deputy ADA Coordinator Office of Institutional Equity joshua.rucker@uconn.edu | 860-486-4957 5.9.17 Introduction- General overview of OIE and role as Deputy ADA Coordinator

Agenda Laws, Regulations and Policy Providing Access Training Staff Resources

Laws, Regulations and Policy Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - 1990 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – 1973 Connecticut Civil Rights Laws UConn Non-Discrimination Policies ADA was signed into law in 1990 and requires entities to make programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. As a Title II entity under the ADA, UConn is required to ensure their programs are accessible to people with disabilities, including events open to the public. Prohibits Discrimination Entities may not: Deny benefits or services to PWD Ask unnecessary questions about a persons disability Impose eligibility requirements that exclude or segregate individuals with disabilities Impose extra charges for PWD (e.g. sign language interpretation) Modify Policies and Practices Event organizers may need to modify policies/practices. Food vendor may need to leave their booth to assist someone with limited hand dexterity in reaching their money. Modify no pets policy to allow service animals. Provide effective communication Event organizers must provide auxiliary aids and services whenever necessary so a person with a disability can fully participate: braille material, assistive listening systems, captioning, etc. Uconn is committed to providing access per its policies, committees, resources, etc.  for attendees, consider that this is more important than the legal framework (which is interesting but arguably not as relevant to their day-to-day event planning activities)

Providing Access Keys to accessible event planning: Remove Barriers Problem Solve Keys to accessible event planning: Plan - Ensuring access to events requires forethought and preparation. Different types of events may entail different approaches to accessibility. (e.g. outdoor events vs indoor events, public events or restricted events, etc). Remove Barriers – Identify and remove potential access barriers. Problem Solve – Respond to needs appropriately and effectively. Utilize resources as needed. Always be thinking about the principles of Universal Design in that you are giving high consideration for people with disabilities and creating an all-inclusive environment regardless of whether there are attendees with disabilities and/or needing accommodations/assistance.

Types of Disabilities Mobility Visual Hearing Cognitive and Invisible Who may be attending your event? Must give consideration for PWD. General categories of disabilities and event experience: Mobility – individuals with physical/mobility disabilities may encounter more obvious access problems such as steps, inaccessible restrooms, items placed out of reach range, unstable walking surfaces, walking long distances, etc. Visual – includes individuals with partial or total vision loss. May not be able to read small print, negotiate dimly lit spaces, tolerate high glare, or read material with non contrasting font. Hearing – includes individuals with may depend on hearing aids or lip reading or totally deaf and use sign language. May experience access problems with exclusively auditory material, fire alarms, or sign language interpretation. Cognitive and Hidden Disabilities – no outward or apparent disability. May affect understanding, communication, or behavior. May have difficulty navigating facilities where there is a lack of signage, may be sensitive to lighting that could activate seizures or may have a sensitivity to chemicals (lawn pesticides, room deodorants, colognes or perfumes)

Plan Remove Barriers Problem Solve

Plan Plan Early and Review Often Utilize the Accessibility Checklist http://csd.uconn.edu/accessibility-checklist-for-events/ Accessibility Checklist for University Events Examples of what people with disabilities must be able to do to more fully enjoy and participate in an event: Obtain information and directions prior to the event Arrive at the site in the same ways as others Find and use accessible parking Travel to the building entrance from the parking area Obtain additional information and direction on site (e.g. directional signage) Move around the event space/site as needed Experience and enjoy activities (e.g. auxiliary aids – assistive listening equipment) Use public toilet rooms, water fountains etc. Access event material Be able to seek assistance if needed Review the entire process of producing the event often to ensure accessibility

Access Statement “If you require accommodations to participate in this program, please contact the Student Activities Office at (860) 486-3423 or programs@uconn.edu 48 hours prior to the event.” Example of accommodation statement provided on the bottom. Suggested online material use sans serif font (e.g. Arial, Calibri, Tahoma).

Plan Remove Barriers Problem Solve

Remove Barriers Physical Informational and Communication Remember, there are offices that can help! OIE, Events, CSD. Checklist includes reviewing the following: Physical – Event must be in an accessible location. Considerations: directional signage, wheelchair seating, routes to areas including stage, accessible restrooms, adequate lighting for low vision or sign language interpreters, assistive listening equipment, parking and transportation, accessible dining seating, accessible exits and areas of refuge for individuals who may require rescue assistance. Online announcements in an accessible format (e.g. accessible PDFs, able to be read by a screen reader for someone who may have low-vision) Informational/Communication – Provide an access statement on all advertising, invitations and brochures (physical or electronic). Be prepared to provide material in an alternate format (braille, large print, audiotapes, etc.) upon request, provide an alternate format statement on publications or material, caption videos or be prepared to caption videos upon request.

Accessible Routes Walk the site and identify accessible routes – PWD should be able to use the same route as everyone else. Ensure there is an elevator if the event is held on an upper floor. Provide directional signage at inaccessible entrances Ensure automatic doors are operating properly and doors are easy to open

Parking Identify accessible parking locations. Visitor parking in North and South Garages Contact Parking Services for assistance Keep it simple. Parking for events is primarily at north and south garages. Contact Parking and Transportation Services for assistance.

Parking Accessible Van Service locations at Storrs. Contact Department of Transportation Services for assistance.

Restrooms Identify accessible restrooms serving the event Should be located within 200’ of the event Provide an accessible stall with grab bars, accessible sink and dispensers

Seating 1 to 25 = 1 seat 26 to 50 = 2 seats Wheelchair spaces Over 500 = 6 plus one per 100

Informational / Communication Access Eliminate communication barriers for participants with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

Hearing Disabilities Accommodation requests Provide Assistive Listening Devices Captioning CART Video or film Interpreter Services – UCIS at CSD Plan to provide an assistive listening device to have easily available upon request. Contact CSD for further assistance.

Vision Disabilities Accommodation requests: Braille Large print Electronic format Additional explanations or instructions

Other Considerations Registration Systems Online communications Emergency exits Food allergies Registration System – Provide opportunity to request accommodation. Ensure the registration system itself is accessible Online Communications – printed material or fliers need to be accessible Emergency exits – when reviewing event space during planning phase, consider emergency exits for people who may not be able to use stairs Food allergies – provide food options for individuals who may have allergies

Service Animals Service Animals are allowed on campus and to attend events with their handler. When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Plan Remove Barriers Problem Solve

Problem Solve Parking and Transportation Relocating to a more accessible space/location Service Animals Auxiliary Aids and Service (captioning, assistive listening, etc.) Restroom Access Stage Access Remember, there are offices that can help! OIE, Events, CSD. Planning and continuously approaching an event through a lens of Universal design or accessibility will likely reduce access barriers or challenges. Parking – Storrs parking can be a challenge. Is there consideration for utilizing the Accessible Van? Relocating to a more accessible space/location – What is the feasibility of relocating an event to a more accessible location? Does an event have to be relocated upon request? Service Animals – Ensure event staff is aware of the allowance of Service Animals (dogs) at events and permissible interaction. Auxiliary Aids and Services – Upon request, ensure assistive listening equipment is readily available and operable to avoid day-of technical difficulties. Collaborate with provider on how to use the equipment to be able to answer questions when necessary. Restroom access – Ensure accessible restrooms are available throughout the duration of an event. (Events held after-hours may have restricted areas of the building) Stage Access – Give consideration to provide an adjustable lectern. What kind of route is provided to the stage?

Visitor Accommodations Contact the Office of Institutional Equity at (860) 486-2943 or equity@uconn.edu for assistance in processing an accommodation request from a visitor. Primary responsibility to provide an accommodation is with the event organizer. However, contact OIE when in need of assistance.

Visitor Accommodations accessibility.uconn.edu

Training Staff Inform and educate staff to promote an inclusive environment. Make sure staff know the location of accessible features or who to contact for further information. Inform and educate staff to respond accordingly to an accommodation request. Utilize resources - Contact OIE, CSD, Events for further assistance.

Resources Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) Wood Hall equity@uconn.edu 860-486-2943 equity.uconn.edu Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) Wilbur Cross Building, Room 205 csd@uconn.edu 860-486-2020 csd.uconn.edu

Questions?