The Iowa Arts Council offers this guide as a step toward insuring access to the arts for people with disabilities. It is our goal to increase and enhance opportunities for participation by persons with disabilities in both our programs and services, as well as the projects supported through grants.
In addition to compliance issues, access benefits the greater population as well as those with disabilities. Many people experience temporary disability, and most experience the natural process of aging. Further, what is an accommodation for one person may be a convenience for another. One need not be identified as having a disability in order to use accommodating tools, devices, or resources that allow them to participate more fully.
Access should be integrated into all activities of an organization. Since all organizations are legally required to serve staff, visitors, and others with disabilities, they also must be committed to providing those accommodations which are reasonable and necessary.
The following self-questionnaires may serve as partial documentation of your "good faith" efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), should grievances arise. They are intended to help your organization become more aware of barriers to your program's services and facilities for persons with disabilities. They are the first step in developing your Accessibility Plan.
How to use this planning guide
This guide may be used as a tool for identifying accessibility needs. It can also serve as a planning guide to meet the needs of larger arts organizations. If you are a smaller organization or an informal arts group, this guide can still be a resource for you. Although some of the information may not apply to you today, it may in the future as your organization grows.
The guide offers a step-by-step approach to planning your accessibility and includes:
- Questionnaires to help you audit your organization
- Worksheets to help you identify the steps you will need to take toward achieving greater accessibility
Accessibility Planning Process
Your organization can begin taking the steps to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in your community. These steps will also help you plan to address issues related to the ADA. The following are the five basic steps your organization can take to begin meeting your accessibility needs.
1. Identify an accessibility coordinator who will
- serve as an access resource person
- gather resource materials
- attend workshops on access issues
2. Appoint a group of advisors
- include members of your group or organization
- include members of your audience
- include individuals from disability groups or organizations
3. Conduct an accessibility audit
- to assess your organization's policies and programs
- to access your organization's services and spaces
- to utilize your own staff and/or volunteers
- include someone with ADA compliance training to serve as a baseline for all improvements
4. Develop policy for your organization that
- formally states your organization's commitment
- is approved by your board
- is embraced at all levels of your organization
- will serve as your public statement to comply
- will serve as your guide in making decisions
5. Develop an accessibility plan to resolve the access issues identified in your audit:
- include realistic steps
- include long-range strategies
- include a timeline
- include who is responsible for what
- include methods for ongoing review and evaluation
Conducting an Accessibility Audit of Your Organization's Policies
Do you have a board of directors' policy or recommendations in place regarding
accessibility?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a nondiscrimination policy in place?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you include accessibility issues in your long-range plans?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have an accessibility task force that includes volunteers with disabilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a staff person with an approved job description in place who is
specifically assigned to implement accessibility programs?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you provide training for your staff in disability awareness as well as programs
and services to constituents with disabilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have volunteers or staff trained to give tours with individuals and/or
groups who are disabled?
Yes
No
N/A
Conducting an Accessibility Audit of Your Programs and Services
Outreach
Do you market to communities of disabled persons?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you include on your press list the newsletters of organizations for people
with disabilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you include accessibility symbols in your materials?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you offer and advertise discounted tickets for patrons who are disabled?
Yes
No
N/A
Are there signs in our reception area indicating the availability of materials
in alternative formats?
Yes
No
N/A
If you offer programs or services at off-site facilities, do you include retirement
centers or disability-related organizations or schools?
Yes
No
N/A
Publications
Do you publish information describing your services for constituents who are
disabled?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a procedure for making printed materials available in alternative
formats?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you include information about accessibility programs and publications in
your usual publications?
Yes
No
N/A
Transportation
Is your facility on a public bus route?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you help coordinate shuttle service to accessible bus sites?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you use a transportation service to get constituents your facility or event?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you solicit volunteers to provide transportation for constituents?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there room for ADA loading and unloading at your facility?
Yes
No
N/A
Are your facility's van and transportation sites safe at night?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have van sites?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there long-term parking for ADA vehicles near the entrances to your facility?
Yes
No
N/A
Personal Assistance
Are your personnel trained to deal appropriately with people with disabilities,
particularly on issues of safety?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a policy and procedure for safely evacuating persons with disabilities
in an emergency?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have an admissions policy for support people accompanying persons with
disabilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Do ushers use flashlights to illuminate the floor when guiding people to their
seats?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there adequate lighting for reading a program?
Yes
No
N/A
Program/Visual Arts
Do you offer live or taped descriptive tours of exhibits?
Yes
No
N/A
Are exhibit labels in high contrast, Braille or large print for the visually
impaired?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you offer sign-interpreted tours?
Yes
No
N/A
Are aisles between exhibits at least 36" wide to accommodate wheelchairs?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the floor surface safe for wheel- chair users and the visually impaired?
Yes
No
N/A
Are transparent cases raised from the floor to accommodate wheelchairs?
Yes
No
N/A
Are transparent cases low enough for wheelchair viewing?
Yes
No
N/A
Are wall-hung exhibits safe for viewers with canes or guide dogs?
Yes
No
N/A
Are exhibit labels placed horizontally on the outside of cases and 48-67" above
the floor?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you encourage visual artists with disabilities to present work in your facilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Program/Performing Arts: Hearing-Impaired
Do you offer advance copies of scripts or synopses to people with hearing impairments?
Yes
No
N/A
Are assistive listening devices available for some performances of each production?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you offer sign language interpretation for some performances of each production?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a location for the sign interpreter so that hearing-impaired patrons
can see the performance as well as the interpreter?
Yes
No
N/A
Program/Performing Arts: Vision-Impaired
Do you offer audio-described performances?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you offer Braille or audio-taped versions of your printed programs?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you include information about your accessibility programs in your routine
publications and promotional materials?
Yes
No
N/A
Conducting an Accessibility Audit of Your Facility
Parking and drop-off areas
Do you have the appropriate number of parking spaces marked with the inter-
national symbol of accessibility?
Yes
No
N/A
Are your accessible spaces wide enough? (13' for a car and 16' for a van)
Yes
No
N/A
Is the designated accessible parking space the closest to the accessible entrance?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have an accessible route or pathway from the parking lot to the entrance?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a covered passenger loading and unloading zone?
Yes
No
N/A
If you only have on-street parking, is there an unobstructed curb cut wide
enough for a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Is someone assigned responsibility for keeping accessible routes free from
ice and snow?
Yes
No
N/A
Entrance
Is your accessible entrance identified with the international accessibility
symbol?
Yes
No
N/A
Are the sidewalks to your entrance wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair?
(at least 36")
Yes
No
N/A
Are there any stairs between the handicap parking and the accessible entrance?
Yes
No
N/A
Are there railings at each set of steps?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a non-slip ramp in addition to steps?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the door at least 36" wide?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the threshold at the door 1" or less to accommodate a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Can the door be opened easily with one hand, with a closed fist, or by a person
with limited grasp or strength?
Yes
No
N/A
Does the door open out?
Yes
No
N/A
Does the door close slowly?
Yes
No
N/A
Box Office/Registration Area
Is the counter of your information desk 36" or lower to accommodate a person
in a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the aisle in front of your registration/ticketing are at least 60" wide
to accommodate a turning wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the floor surface stable, clean, firm and slip-resistant?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a public telephone available in the box office/ reception area?
Yes
No
N/A
Is your box office equipped with TDD/text-telephone or a relay service in order
to receive calls from hearing-impaired customers?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have a procedure for training staff and volunteers in the use of your
TDD/TTY or relay service?
Yes
No
N/A
Program Space
Do patrons using wheelchairs have access to at least one of your performances?
Yes
No
N/A
Can patrons using wheelchairs enter the space through the same entry used by
the general public?
Yes
No
N/A
Can your venue accommodate a person using a wheelchair who is also deaf or
hard of hearing and needs to be close to a sign interpreter?
Yes
No
N/A
Is wheelchair seating integrated within the general audience seating area?
Yes
No
N/A
Does the venue offer a choice of accessible seating areas?
Yes
No
N/A
Do accessible seat locations allow non-disabled attendants/companions to be
seated next to the patron who is disabled?
Yes
No
N/A
Do accessible seats have a space for guide dogs?
Yes
No
N/A
Restrooms
Is there appropriate signage to indicate accessible restrooms?
Yes
No
N/A
Are restrooms accessible to the public, from the office and from the backstage?
Yes
No
N/A
Are door openings at least 36" wide?
Yes
No
N/A
Is the unobstructed diameter of the restroom floor space at least 60" to accommodate
a turning wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there a designated handicap stall that meets the legal code?
Yes
No
N/A
Are the faucets, soap dispenser and towels accessible for a person in a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Can faucets be turned by a person with a limited grasp or strength?
Yes
No
N/A
Are exposed pipes below the sink covered with insulation?
Yes
No
N/A
Drinking Fountains
Do any wall-mounted objects such as drinking fountains, fire extinguishers
and displays present a safety hazard?
Yes
No
N/A
Interior Levels
Are all levels and doors of your facility accessible to people with mobility
limitations?
Yes
No
N/A
If you provide a public elevator or lift, is it equipped with Braille on control
panels and with floor numbers outside the door and on the door jams?
Yes
No
N/A
Are elevator call buttons accessible from a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Does the elevator door close slowly?
Yes
No
N/A
Safety
Are fire alarms equipped with visual warning lights and mounted 80" above the
floor?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there an identified refuge/ holding area for people with disabilities to
wait for rescue?
Yes
No
N/A
Do you have an evacuation plan for people with disabilities?
Yes
No
N/A
Food Service
Is food service (cafeteria, restaurant, vending machines) available within
this facility for the public?
Yes
No
N/A
If yes, are tables and tray counters 36" or lower to accommodate a a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Stages and Dressing Rooms
Is the backstage area accessible?
Yes
No
N/A
Does your facility provide accessible dressing rooms for performers?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there an unobstructed route from the stage or performing area to the dressing
area?
Yes
No
N/A
Are the spaces wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Is there open knee space under the dressing table?
Yes
No
N/A
Are makeup mirrors adjustable?
Yes
No
N/A
Are lighting switches and electric receptacles accessible for a person in a
wheelchair?
Yes
No
N/A
Developing Your Accessibility Plan
After you have finished the accessibility audit of your facility, it will become the foundation for your accessibility planning. Your board of directors and accessibility advisors must now develop a logical, realistic Accessibility Plan to implement improvements and help your organization achieve its accessibility goals.
Next Steps
Use the Accessibility Plan Outline below to identify issues you need to address. This will guide you in determining what modifications you need to make to your organizational policies, your programs and services, as well as your facility.
1. Prioritize needed modifications into:
- those that are easily and readily achievable
- those that will require long-term implementation strategies to be incorporated into your organizations' overall long-range plan
2. Prepare an accessibility plan for review and adoption by your board of directors.
3. Make accessibility part of your project and organizational planning.
Suggestion: Disabled individuals and/or organizations that represent disabled individuals should be included in your survey process.
Accessibility Plan Outline
Organization:
Accessibility Plan for: ___ /___/___ through ___/___/___
Accessibility Policy Statement:
Issues or areas of concern identified in your audit:
For each issue or area below identify
- Measurable objectives for addressing improvements
- Target date for completion
- Person responsible
a) Policies
b) Programs
c) Facilities
d) Implementations Issues
e) Other Areas of Concern
Date of This Survey: ____/____/____
Surveyors:
Board Approval: ___/___/___
Next Scheduled Review Date: ____/____/___