ADA & IT Centers

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has established ten regional centers to provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA. The centers act as a "one-stop" central, comprehensive resource on ADA issues in employment, public services, public accommodations, and communications. Each center works closely with local business, disability, governmental, rehabilitation, and other professional networks to provide ADA information and assistance. Programs vary in each region, but all centers provide the following:

Technical Assistance
Education and Training
Materials Dissemination
Information and Referral
Public Awareness
Local Capacity Building

In addition to ADA services the centers assist individuals and entities in better understanding related disability legislation which may impact their rights or responsibilities. Information on the Rehabilitation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Workforce Investment Act and others can typically be provided by a Center.

Of special interest to those with involvement in education settings will be materials and technical assistance developed to assist in efforts to make educational experiences accessible to all participants. This includes assuring accessibility not only to the physical site of the entity, but also of the programs and technology used in the experience. This includes building accessible web pages, assuring that distance learning programs are accessible and assuring that technology purchases are those which are best able to work with assistive devices used by people with disabilities.

More Information on http://www.dbtac.vcu.edu/centers.aspx