Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:27:06 -0500
From: Robin Jones <guiness@uic.edu>
Subject: Great Lakes Region "ADA Report Cards" Released
To mark the 20th Anniversary of the ADA the DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center
conducted a poll to learn more about the perception of people with
disabilities, their family members and individuals who work with people
with disabilities regarding the implementation of the ADA in their
communities. We received an overwhelming response to the poll and want to
thank everyone who shared their perspectives.
Over 3500 individuals took the "ADA In Your Community Poll" across all six
states served by the Great Lakes ADA Center. Overall respondents indicated
that while they saw progress over the past 20 years there is still a long
way to go. Barriers to community participation and employment continue to
persist across our region and while we celebrate the accomplishments to
date we are reminded of where we still need to go.
The results of the Poll provide a blueprint for our communities and the
work that they have ahead of them to ensure that people with disabilities
realize the full promise of the ADA. We hope that community leaders,
advocates, government officials and others will utilize the information
gathered through the poll in their planning for the future.
Individuals ranked their communities the lowest in the area of employment
opportunities for people with disabilities. The availability of
information and assistance to file ADA related complaints ranked low along
with the accessibility of websites, knowledge of business and government
officials regarding their obligations under the ADA and availability and
use of communication supports and alternative formats.
Individuals can view the Region and State by State report cards on-line at
www.adareportcard.org/ReportCard
If you want more information regarding the Community Poll and results
contact the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center at 312-413-1407 V/TTY or
800-949-4232 (V/TTY) IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and WI Only or by email at
adata@adagreatlakes.org
