A.D.A.




	American with Disabilities Act In 1990, the Federal Government passed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects the rights of disabled citizens in our country. This law addresses issues such as handicapped accessibility to public buildings, employment rights, and the right to access emergency services. Georgia APCO has established this ADA page because we believe that all citizens have a right to access our emergency telephone services. It is our desire to assist emergency telephone service agencies (including 911, police, fire and emergency medical services) in their efforts to provide direct and equal access to their services to citizens with disabilities. ADA/TTY TRAINING RESOURCES The following materials are available for download using Adobe Acrobat. You are authorized to download and use these documents for nonprofit activities only: LINGO: A TTY Training Game - This is a bingo-like training game used to provide students a refreshing method to learn or review important concepts related to the proper recognition of TTY calls and proper operation of TTY equipment. It is best used in conjunction with the Communications Impaired Callers Lesson Plan below. TTY Jeopardy - This is another training game based on the idea of the game show Jeopardy that is good for review. The template can be used as an overhead with cover pieces covering each answer and have the students state the question. Communications Impaired Callers Lesson - This is an 8 hour lesson plan designed to teach new hires or refresh already trained communications officers on requirements for compliance, TTY operations protocol and etiquette, and English and American Sign Language formats. *Other Resources and Public Education Material* Federal Law: The Americans with Disabilities Act - This version of the full text of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is provided as a service to the public. While every effort has been made to produce an exact replica of the bill as it was passed, the University of California, Santa Cruz, cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this document. ADA: Access for 9-1-1 and Telephone Emergency Services - This document is part of a technical assistance program to provide State and Local governments and persons with disabilities with information about the requirements of the ADA for direct, equal access to 9-1-1 for persons with disabilities who use TTY’s. The Americans with Disabilities Act: Emergency Response Systems and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf - This document was issued in 1994 by the National Institute of Justice. It reviews some cases involving communications center compliance and provides operational and procedural information which is applicable to date. ADA Compliance Checklist - This document provides a sample of questions that should be asked if a self analysis of your 911 system/emergency telephone system and services as required by the Department of Justice. TTY Quick Reference Card - This is a downloadable document which can serve as a quick reference card at the console for communications officers to refer to when handling TTY calls. It contains common terminology & abbreviations, instructions for HCO & VCO call handling and English & ASL translations of key phrases/questions. *ADA Related Links* Gallaudet University Department of Justice National Association of the Deaf Job Accommodation Network US Access Board (Architect & Trans Barriers Compliance Board) EEOC Office of Disability Employment Policy Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. DeafNet Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center Toni Dunne - PSAP Relations Specialist Consumers’ Guide to Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)