The following
portion of the checklist reviews customer service and accommodation
practices. It also asks you to evaluate your efforts to date
and provides helpful hints.
Recommended
steps include:
Completion
of this checklist
Development
of internal action steps to rectify issues identified
Development
of written organization wide policies
Maintenance
of this self-evaluation and supporting/resulting documents
on file
Annual
review of this self-evaluation
There may be terminology that you do not understand. Please
refer to the end of the checklist for an explanation of the
question and the terminology.
1. Has your
company or organization affirmatively sought to serve qualified
individuals with disabilities? Yes No
What
steps have been taken to meet this goal?
Have
you been successful?
How
do you know?
2. Do you
have a written policy concerning discrimination on the basis
of physical or mental disability? Yes No
3. Do you
regularly review your service practices (advertising, notices
signage, building and program access) to be certain that you,
your managers, supervisors, or external consultants are non-discriminatory
in the treatment of customers with disabilities? Yes No
Employment
Practices Guidelines:
1. Medical
records should be kept in a separate location. Access to medical
records should be limited. Are all non-medical records kept
in a separate place from records that contain medical information?
(Medical information includes insurance application forms as
well as health certificates, results of physical exams, etc.)
Yes No
Do you
have a written policy regarding who has access to medical
information?
What
is the policy? (A copy should be attached here.)
2. Do your
employee recruitment materials, including photos and ad copy,
contain positive images of persons with disabilities and indicate
your program's commitment to inclusion of persons with disabilities?
Yes No
3. Are inquiries
related to the presence of a disability or the possible presence
of a disability that someone may have, limited to performance
of essential functions of the job and requirements for reasonable
accommodations?
Are
supervisory staff aware of what constitutes legal and illegal
inquiries? Yes No
If
'yes', how did they obtain this information? Describe. For
example, did they participate in a training session? Read
relevant literature? etc.
Have
job descriptions been analyzed to determine which functions
of a job are 'essential' and which are 'marginal'? Yes No
If
"yes", describe the process for doing this.
Are
job descriptions in writing? Yes No
Are
any of the following questions asked during the application
process?
1. Health
or physical condition? Yes No
2. Physical
or mental problems or disabilities? Yes No
3. Medical
history? Yes No
4. Previous
workers' compensation claims? Yes No
5. Prior
health insurance claims? Yes No
6. Past
drug use or substance abuse? Yes No
NOTE: These
types of employment questions should no longer be used. Consider
training in interviewing.
7. Do you
require that applicants for employment take any of the following
tests as part of the application process?
Drug
or alcohol test? Yes No
HIV
tests? Yes No
Skill
or performance tests? Yes No
Psychological
tests? Yes No
Intelligence
tests? Yes No
8. Do you
have a substance abuse policy? Yes No
9. Do you
have a drug testing policy? Yes No
10. Reasonable
accommodation should be provided to employees and customers
with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation includes a broad
range of adaptations to the manner or circumstances in which
a service activity is performed, an interview is conducted,
etc.
Reasonable accommodation
might include:
Allowing
an individual with a psychiatric disability to periodically
leave early or arrive late and later make up that time
Making
structural modifications to accommodate a participant who
uses a wheelchair
Providing
auxiliary aids and services including sign language interpreters,
readers (for people who don't read print due to a disability)
or providing material in alternative format such as Braille,
ASCII disk, etc.
Regarding
reasonable accommodations:
Have
employees and applicants been informed that they are entitled
to reasonable accommodations? Yes No
If 'yes',
how have they been so informed?
Are
reasonable accommodations provided to employees, applicants
and customers with disabilities? Yes No
How
do you know?
Has
a reasonable written accommodations policy been developed?
(A copy should be attached.) Yes No
Do supervisory
staff know how to proceed if an accommodation is requested?
Yes No
Has
a specific supervisory staff member been designated to co-ordinate
reasonable accommodation, including determining when an accommodation
is or is not reasonable and when a funding request will be
made ? Yes No
Do they
know how to secure a sign language interpreter if necessary?
Yes No
Do they
know how to get material transcribed into Braille, recorded
on audio cassette, or placed on ASCII diskette? Yes No
11. Are,
as a matter of policy, interviews, staff meetings and other
gatherings held in accessible locations? (Accessible locations
include accessible entrances, meeting areas, and rest rooms.)
Yes No
12. Are
off-site staff trainings, holiday parties, picnics or other
gatherings held in accessible locations? Yes No
13. Are
reasonable accommodations, including sign language interpreters,
written materials in alternative format, etc. provided to individuals
with disabilities at off-site meetings, trainings, and social
events? Yes No
Communications Accessibility Checklist
Communications
access refers to the way that information is received and transmitted.
When evaluating your company or organization in terms of access
to communication, you will be assessing the four different ways
in which communication occurs: aural, oral, cognition and
visual.
It is important
to keep in mind that there are four distinct, broad populations
that are affected by your level of accessibility in this area.
These are: persons with impaired hearing, speech, cognition
and vision.
In some
ways, communications access is more challenging to provide than
architectural access. A well-built and designed ramp will provide
access to a wide variety of persons with mobility impairments.
Large print, on the other hand, will only provide access to
a portion of the population with visual impairments.
1. Does
your company or organization have information that is communicated
visually? (Note: information communicated visually includes
brochures, enrolment forms, handbooks, videotapes, flip charts,
slides, posters, graphic directional signs, etc.) Yes No
Type of
information: Large print, Braille, Videotape, Readers, Verbal
description, Diskette, Pictorial, Signage, Other
2. Does
the program involve information that is communicated verbally?
Yes No
Type of
information: Interpreter, TDD, Relay, Paper/Pen, CART, RTC,
Decoders, Written copies, oral interpreter, Other
Every effort
should be made to meet an individual's preferred method of auxiliary
aids and services. If you cannot provide the preferred method,
you should ensure that whatever method you do provide is effective
for that individual.
3. Does
your company or organization inform persons with disabilities
that communications aids and services are provided upon request?
(Note: It is not sufficient to only inform persons who have
identified themselves as having an accommodation need. You should
be able to inform the public-at-large). Yes No
4. How do
you do so?
5. Does
you have a procedure for deciding which auxiliary aids and services
to provide? Yes No
6. Does
the procedure provide for consideration of an individual's preferred
aid or service? Yes No
7. Does
the procedure include a mechanism for determining that an aid
or service that is provided other than aid or service that was
requested is equally effective? Yes No
8. Does
your company or organization communicate with the public over
the phone? Yes No
9. Are telephone
conversations lengthy, complex, technical or personal? Yes No
10. Does
your company or organization have a TDD? Yes No
11. If so,
have staff been trained on the appropriate use of a TDD? Yes
No
12. Is there
a mechanism for retraining? Yes No
13. Are
staff trained in the use of the relay system? Yes No
14. Are
staff aware of the relay number? Yes No
15. Does
your company or organization have a web page? Yes No
16. Is the
web page captioned (Alternative Text to mark images)? Yes No
17. Is there
a mechanism for ensuring that people who are deaf or hearing
impaired are aware of an activated fire or smoke alarm? Yes
No
18. Is there
an established emergency evacuation procedure that addresses
the needs of persons with disabilities? (This should include
the evacuation of persons with mobility impairments.) Yes No
19. Have
staff been trained in this procedure? Yes No
20. Please
describe the training.
Existing Facilities Checklist
Priority
1:
Accessible Entrance
People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site,
approach the building, and enter the building as freely as everyone
else. At least one path of travel should be safe and accessible
for everyone, including people with disabilities.
. Path of Travel
1. Is there
a path of travel that does not require the use of stairs? Yes
No
2. Is the
path of travel stable, firm and slip-resistant? Yes No
3. Is the
path at least 36 inches wide? Yes No
4. Can all
objects protruding into the path be detected by a person with
a visual disability using a cane? (Note: In order to be detected
using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground.
Objects hanging or mounted overhead must be higher than 80 inches
to provide clear head room. It is not necessary to remove objects
that protrude less than 4 inches from the wall.) Yes No
5. Do curbs
on the pathway have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?
Yes No
Ramps
6. Are the
slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12? (Note: Slope is given
as a ratio of the height to the length. 1:12 means for every
12 inches along the base of the ramp, the height increases one
inch. For a 1.12 maximum slope, at least one foot of ramp length
is needed for each inch of height.) Yes No
7. Do all
ramps longer than 6 feet have railings on both sides? Yes No
8. Are railings
sturdy, and between 34 and 38 inches high? Yes No
9. Is the
width between railings at least 36 inches? Yes No
10. Are
ramps non-slip? Yes No
11. Is there
a 5-foot-long level landing at every 30-foot horizontal length
of ramp, at the top and bottom of ramps and at switchbacks?
Yes No
Parking
and Drop-Off Areas
12. Are
an adequate number of accessible parking spaces available (8
feet wide for car plus 5-foot striped access aisle)? (Note:
Check your provincial building code for parking requirements.
Sometimes provincial codes are more stringent.) Yes No
13. Are
16-foot-wide spaces, with 98 inches of vertical clearance, available
for lift-equipped vans? Yes No At least one of every 8 accessible
spaces must be van-accessible.
14. Are
the accessible spaces closest to the accessible entrance? Yes
No
15. Are
accessible spaces marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility?
Are there signs reading "Van Accessible" at van spaces?
International Symbol of Accessibility: Yes No
16. Is there
an enforcement procedure to ensure that accessible parking is
used only by those who need it? Yes No
Entrance
17. If there
are stairs at the main entrance, is there also a ramp or lift,
or is there an alternative accessible entrance? Yes No
Do not use a service entrance as the accessible entrance unless
there is no other option.
18. Do all
inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of
the nearest accessible entrance? Yes No
19. Can
the alternate accessible entrance be used independently? Yes
No
20. Does
the entrance door have at least 32 inches clear opening (for
a double door, at least one 32-inch leaf)? Yes No
21. Is there
at least 18 inches of clear wall space on the pull side of the
door, next to the handle? Yes No
A person using a wheelchair needs this space to get close enough
to open the door.
22. Is the
threshold level (less than 1/4 inch) or bevelled, up to 1/2
inch high? Yes No
23. Are
doormats 1/2 inch high or less, and secured to the floor at
all edges? Yes No
24. Is the
door handle no higher than 48 inches and operable with a closed
fist? Yes No
The "closed
fist" test for handles and controls: Try opening the door
or operating the control using only one hand, held in a fist.
If you can do it, so may a person who has limited use of his
or her hands.
25. Can
doors be opened without too much force (maximum is 5 lbf)? Yes
No
You can
use a fish scale to measure the force required to open a door.
Attach the hook of the scale to the doorknob or handle. Pull
on the ring end of the scale until the door opens, and read
off the amount of force required. If you do not have a fish
scale, you will need to judge subjectively whether the door
is easy enough to open.
26. If the
door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?
Yes No
Emergency
Egress
27. Is there
sufficient lighting for egress pathways such as stairs, corridors,
and exit routes? Yes No
Priority 2:
Access to Goods and Services
Ideally, the layout of the building should allow people with
disabilities to obtain goods or services without special assistance.
Where it is not possible to provide full accessibility, assistance
or alternative services should be available upon request.
Horizontal
Circulation
1. Does
the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor,
lobby, or elevator? Yes No
2. Are all
public spaces on an accessible path of travel? Yes No
3. Is the
accessible route to all public spaces at least 36 inches wide?
Yes No
4. Is there
a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space for a person using a wheelchair
to reverse direction? Yes No
Doors
5. Do doors
in public spaces have at least a 32-inch clear opening? Yes
No
6. On the
pull side of doors, next to the handle, is there at least 18
inches of clear wall space so that a person using a wheelchair
can get near to open the door? Yes No
7. Can doors
be opened without too much force (5 lbf maximum)? Yes No
8. Are door
handles 48 inches high or less and operable with a closed fist?
Yes No
9. Are all
thresholds level (less than 1/4 inch), or bevelled, up to 1/2
inch high? Yes No
Rooms
and Spaces
10. Are
all aisles and pathways to all goods and services at least 36
inches wide? Yes No
11. Is there
a 5-foot circle or T-shaped space for turning a wheelchair completely?
Yes No
12. Is carpeting
low-pile, tightly woven, and securely attached along edges?
Yes No
13. In routes
through public areas, are all obstacles cane-detectable (located
within 27 inches of the floor or protruding less than 4 inches
from the wall), or are they higher than 80 inches? Yes No
14. Do signs
designating permanent rooms and spaces, such as rest room signs,
exit signs, and room numbers, comply with the appropriate requirements
for accessible signage? Yes No
Controls
15. Are
all controls that are available for use by the public (including
electrical, mechanical, window, cabinet, game, and self-service
controls) located at an accessible height? Yes No
Reach ranges:
The maximum height for a side reach is 54 inches; for a forward
reach, 48 inches. The minimum reachable height is 15 inches.
16. Are
they operable with a closed fist? Yes No
Seats,
Tables and Counters
17. Are
the aisles between chairs or tables at least 36 inches wide?
Yes No
18. Are
the spaces for wheelchair seating distributed throughout? Yes
No
19. Are
the tops of tables or counters between 28 and 34 inches high?
Yes No
20. Are
knee spaces at accessible tables at least 27 inches high, 30
inches wide, and 19 inches deep? Yes No
Vertical
Circulation
21. Are
there ramps or elevators to all levels? Yes No
22. On each
level, if there are stairs between the entrance and/or elevator
and essential public areas, is there an accessible alternate
route? Yes No
Stairs
23. Do treads
have a non-slip surface? Yes No
24. Do stairs
have continuous rails on both sides, with extensions beyond
the top and bottom stairs? Yes No
Elevators
25. Are
there both visible and verbal or audible door opening/closing
and floor indicators (one tone = up, two tones = down)? Yes
No
26. Are
the call buttons in the hallway no higher than 42 inches? Yes
No
27. Do the
controls outside and inside the cab have raised and Braille
lettering? Yes No
28. Is there
a sign on the jamb at each floor identifying the floor in raised
and Braille letters? Yes No
29. Is the
emergency intercom usable without voice communication? Yes No
30. Are
there Braille and raised-letter instructions for the communication
system? Yes No
Lifts
31. Can
the lift be used without assistance? If not, is a call button
provided? Yes No
32. Is there
at least 30 by 48 inches of clear space for a person using a
wheelchair to approach to reach the controls and use the lift?
Yes No
33. Are
controls between 15 and 48 inches high (up to 54 inches if a
side approach is possible)? Yes No
Priority
3:
Usability of Rest Rooms
When rest rooms are open to the public, they should be accessible
to people with disabilities. Closing a rest room that is currently
open to the public is not an allowable option. Getting to the
Rest Rooms
1. If rest
rooms are available to the public, is at least one rest room
(either one for each sex, or unisex) fully accessible? Yes No
2. Are there
signs at inaccessible rest rooms that give directions to accessible
ones? Yes No Doorways and Passages
3. Is there
tactile signage identifying rest rooms? Yes No Mount signs on
the wall, on the latch side of the door. Avoid using ambiguous
symbols in place of text to identify rest rooms.
4. Is the
doorway at least 32 inches clear? Yes No
5. Are doors
equipped with accessible handles (operable with a closed fist),
48 inches high or less? Yes No
6. Can doors
be opened easily (5 lbf maximum force)? Yes No
7. Does
the entry configuration provide adequate maneuvering space for
a person using a wheelchair? Yes No
A person
using a wheelchair needs 36 inches of clear width for forward
movement, and a 5-foot diameter clear space or a T-shaped space
to make turns. A minimum distance of 48 inches, clear of the
door swing, is needed between the two doors of an entry vestibule.
8. Is there
a 36-inch-wide path to all fixtures? Yes No
Stalls
9. Is the
stall door operable with a closed fist, inside and out? Yes
No
10. Is there
a wheelchair-accessible stall that has an area of at least 5
feet by 5 feet, clear of the door swing, OR is there a stall
that is less accessible but that provides greater access than
a typical stall (either 36 by 69 inches or 48 by 69 inches)?
Yes No
11. In the
accessible stall, are there grab bars behind and on the side
wall nearest to the toilet? Yes No
12. Is the
toilet seat 17 to 19 inches high? Yes No
Washrooms
13. Does
one washroom have a 30-inch-wide by 48-inch-deep clear space
in front? Yes No
A maximum of 19 inches of the required depth may be under the
washroom.
14. Is the
washroom rim no higher than 34 inches? Yes No
15. Is there
at least 29 inches from the floor to the bottom of the washroom
apron (excluding pipes)? Yes No
16. Can
the faucet be operated with one closed fist? Yes No
17. Are
soap and other dispensers and hand dryers 48 inches high or
less and usable with one closed fist? Yes No
18. Is the
mirror mounted with the bottom edge of the reflecting surface
40 inches high or lower? Yes No
Priority 4:
Additional Access
When amenities such as public telephones and drinking fountains
are provided to the general public, they should also be accessible
to people with disabilities.
Drinking
Fountains
1. Is there
at least one fountain with clear floor space of at least 30
by 48 inches in front? Yes No
2. Is there
one fountain with its spout no higher than 36 inches from the
ground, and another with a standard height spout (or a single
"hi-lo" fountain)? Yes No
3. Are controls
mounted on the front or on the side near the front edge, and
operable with one closed fist? Yes No
4. Does
the fountain protrude no more than 4 inches into the circulation
space? Yes No
Telephones
5. If pay
or public use phones are provided, is there clear floor space
of at least 30 by 48 inches in front of at least one? Yes No
6. Is the
highest operable part of the phone no higher than 48 inches
(up to 54 inches if a side approach is possible)? Yes No
7. Does
the phone protrude no more than 4 inches into the circulation
space? Yes No
8. Does
the phone have push-button controls? Yes No
9. Is the
phone hearing aid compatible? Yes No
10. Is the
phone adapted with volume control? Yes No
11. Is the
phone with volume control identified with appropriate signage?
Yes No
12. Is one
of the phones equipped with a telecommunications device for
the Deaf? telephone (TT/TTY/TDD)? Yes No
13. Is the
location of the TDD identified by accessible signage bearing
the International TDD Symbol? International TDD Symbol: Yes
No
Adopted
from the One-Stop
Disability Access Checklist: Determining Accessibility in
Facilities and Provision of Services, published by the U.S.
Department of Labor
