Action Alert: Demand Accessible Equipment and Furniture

As technology advances, deaf and hard of hearing people often are left behind. Talking ATMs? Inaccessible. Alarms in state or local government buildings? Inaccessible. Televisions on gym equipment? Inaccessible. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking comments from the public - that’s you - on its requirements for State and local agencies and public accommodations on providing accessible equipment and furniture.

We need your action to ensure that all equipment and furniture provided by all State and local entities and by all public accommodations are fully accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

NAD advocates that:

• Medical equipment and furniture be accessible to us.
• Rehabilitation facilities be required to provide equipment that is accessible to us.   
• Facilities such as health clubs, gyms, and community recreation centers must provide exercise equipment that is accessible to us, including providing equipment with visual displays, or TV screens with closed captioning.
• Electronic equipment, kiosks, ATMs, point of service devices, televisions, and communications devices be accessible to us.
• All alarms and any necessary aural information (ringing of telephones, alarms, etc.) be available visually (flashing fire alarms, for example).

SUMBIT YOUR COMMENTS TODAY!

The DOJ wants responses to 24 questions: http://www.regulations.gov [2]. You can answer any or all of them.  The deadline for your comments is January 24, 2011. You are welcome to use the NAD sample letter below and to add your own words explaining why access to NG-911 is important to you.
 
You can send your comments through the U.S. Mail or electronically: (http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=DOJ-CRT-2010-0008-0001 [3]). With your help, the world can continue to be an accessible place for the deaf and hard of hearing.

ACT NOW FOR ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE

[Today’s date]

Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 2885
Fairfax, Virginia  22031 – 0885

Re: Docket # 113; RIN 1190-AA64

As a (deaf or hard of hearing) individual, my civil rights are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Yet, I find that I am often denied access to equipment and furniture in local government settings or places of public accommodations.

[The NAD recommends that you add your comments about your experiences with inaccessible equipment in public accommodations or local government offices.  Examples might include: inaccessible alarms in public buildings, talking ATMs or interactive kiosks in airports, video equipment or displays in gyms and health clubs].

As technology advances, equipment and furniture often undergo drastic changes.  As an individual who is deaf and hard of hearing, it is important that I have full access to the most updated equipment and furniture available in local government settings and places of public accommodation. 

Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments.

Sincerely,

[Sign your name]