Resources

The ADA’s equal-opportunity mandate goes beyond making sure that information provided through electronic means is as readily accessible to people with disabilities as it is to those without disabilities. It also means making sure that software and other information technology deployed by employers to aid in the hiring process or to monitor and rate employee performance does not screen out…

Earlier this year, the Justice Department finalized regulations on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities, establishing a technical standard for accessibility of web content and mobile apps provided or made available by entities covered by Title II of the ADA. State and local governments provide many of their services, programs, and activities through…

On July 19, 2024, the FCC released a Report and Order taking steps to advance the nationwide transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911). Unlike the current 911 system, NG911 uses Internet Protocol (IP)-based format and routing, and will support the transmission of text, photos, videos, and data. In the Report and Order, the FCC adopted the first nationwide NG911 transition rules that define the…

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center in February 2024, this archived webinar provides an overview, highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of telehealth accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind patients. The panel guides you through real-life scenarios, showcasing successful approaches as well as areas that need improvement. From effective communication…

The Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) partnered to publish guidance on the protections in federal nondiscrimination laws requiring that telehealth be accessible to people with disabilities and limited English proficient persons. Protections for people with disabilities include among other things effective communication. Providers must communicate effectively…

Federal disability discrimination laws like the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and call for equal access to health care services, whether in-person or via a telemedicine appointment. Equal access to telehealth can be achieved by modifying procedures and providing additional support to…

SignUp is a free Google Chrome Extension that provides sign language interpretation on movies and TV shows on streaming platforms, including Disney+ and Netflix. While almost all the over 125 movies that have been translated to ASL (American Sign Language), BSL (British Sign Language) and/or ISL (Indian Sign Language) are for children, anyone visiting the SignUp website may request interpretation…

The International Hearing Loop Manufacturers Association (IHLMA) created a guide to and comparison of Available Assistive Listening Technologies (2021). In the guide, IHLMA notes: “People with hearing loss of all levels, frequently exhibit a disproportionate amount of difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise. This is especially the case in situations where desired speech signals…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order (Declaratory Ruling, Order, Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration) restoring Net Neutrality and bringing back a national standard for broadband reliability, security, and consumer protection, effective July 22, 2024. For People with Disabilities, the Order will: Better safeguard access to IP-based telecommunications relay…

The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) has prepared Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids (2023) as a resource guide for those seeking financial assistance for hearing aids. While HIA does not manage an assistance program, this guide will provide information on the charitable foundations, private organizations, insurance plans, and government programs that help people access the…