TaxAccess Making VITA Sites Accessible to Persons with Disabilities

This presentation is brought to you by: REI Tour TaxAccess 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

 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:

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

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

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

 The ADA requires at least one accessible parking space for every 25 parking spaces.  At least one accessible parking space must be van- accessible.  For large parking lots, 1 of every 8 accessible parking spaces should be van-accessible.

 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

 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 slip- resistant?  Is the route at least 36 inches wide?

Can all objects protruding into the accessible route be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane?

 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?

 Can doors be opened without too much force?  If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?

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

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)?

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

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. VII. Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish. VIII. Tap a person who has a hearing disability on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his or her attention. IX. Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted common expressions. X. Use “People First” Language.

 People who are visually impaired 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.

“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 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.

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? Policies and Procedures

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

Do’s  Do ASK the person if they need help, don’t assume they do.  Do give the team the same courtesy you would want shown to you.  Do expect that the animal is to be kept under control by the handler at all times and be housebroken.  May ask the person whether the animal is required because of a disability, and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform but cannot require special ID cards (certification) or vests/harnesses for the animal. Don’ts  Don’t ask the person what their 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

Establish Partnerships  Disability Specific Organizations  Area Agencies on Aging  Centers for Independent Living

Become Familiar with Resources TaxAccess Project Resource Web Page

Become Familiar with Resources IRS Accessible Tax Publications (in Braille and Text Formats) 00.html

Become Familiar with Resources Disability Etiquette – 10 Commandments This document can be downloaded at: csListing.aspx?Cid=9 csListing.aspx?Cid=9

Become Familiar with Resources At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities Web Course

For more information about serving people with disabilities: ADA National Network by DBTAC (800) [voice/tty]