• Prohibits discrimination against persons with disABILITIES in private and public employment sectors

• Employers can ask only about ability to perform job

• Employers must make reasonable accommodations to know physical or mental limitations of qualified persons unless employer would suffer undue hardship

• Effective for all employers with 25 or more employees; 07/26/94 employers with 15 or more employees must comply.

KEY DEFINITIONS:

Qualified Individual is defined as an individual with a disABILITY who

• satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of the employment position which the individual holds or desires, and who,
• with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of such a position.

Essential Functions is defined as

• the fundamental job duties of the employment position the individual with a disability holds or desires (e.g., the reason the position exists is to perform that specific function).

Reasonable Accommodation is defined as

• modifications or adjustments to a job application process that enable a qualified applicant with a disability to be considered for a position, or
• modifications or adjustments to the work environment, or to the manner or circumstances under which the position is customarily performed, that enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position, or
• modifications or adjustments that enable employees with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as those enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disABILITIES.

Undue Hardship is defined as significant difficulty or expense incurred when considered in light of such factors as

• the nature and cost, overall resources, size, type of operation, function and location.
• the impact upon the operation.
• the impact upon the ability of other employees to perform their duties.

Direct Threat is defined as:

• a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. Such considerations must rely on objective, factual evidence (not on subjective perception, irrational fears, patronizing attitudes or stereotypes) about the nature or effect of a particular disability or disABILITIES in general.

Over the last several years, advances in microcomputer technology and computer programming have given rise to a new generation of methods for providing computer access. This new generation of assistive technologies provides full and unencumbered access to virtually the complete range of commercially available microcomputer software. Business can easily accommodate the special access needs of disabled computer users without modifying instructional software or business applications programs. Successful use of assistive technologies in the business environment depends greatly on a "team effort". "Team" means the employee, the supervisor, in-house technical support and other employee support personnel. This "team effort" is also critical when selecting the most appropriate equipment for immediate and future needs. Additionally, accurately defining "essential job functions" provides the basis for selection of appropriate assistive technologies. Written job descriptions must be thoroughly examined and compared with daily job responsibilities and duties.

Personal Considerations --

In order to make computers accessible to persons who are disabled, assistive technologies must provide SUITABLE alternatives for viewing text, entering text and numbers, reading documents and figures, and navigating menus and system prompts. Additionally, the following personal considerations must be addressed:

1. Is the disabled individual a competent touch typist? "Hunt and peck" typing is not a viable alternative for disabled computer users. Teaching typing in addition to the application program used is not a productive use of employee time.
2. Has the disabled individual had any previous experience using computers and assistive technologies? Past computer experience plays a significant role in how a disabled individual will perform on the job if a computer is required. Ideally, the disabled individual will have been sufficiently trained in basic computer usage and some kind of assistive technology software/hardware prior to entering the job market.
3. What kind of training is required for the position and how will it be accomplished with a disabled person? Appropriate training methods for a person with a disability will play a significant role in how they will perform in the work environment.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

In order to make computers accessible to persons who are blind, assistive technology must provide nonvisual alternatives for these tasks.

1. The screen display can be made available in an auditory mode using screen-reading software and speech synthesizers,
2. in a tactile mode using a refreshable Braille display which echoes the screen display, or,
3. by using a combination of both methods.
4. Braille printed output allows the blind computer user additional access to materials and gives the ability to have easily accessed notes.
5. The use of a Scanner and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software allows the blind computer user access to almost all printed material. Scanned material could be read then saved to disk for later retrieval.
6. Computerized Note Takers allow the blind individual unlimited freedom to take notes during staff/departmental meetings or for any other reason.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH LOW VISION

The problem is easily defined: the normal computer screen is far too small to be read easily by individuals with limited vision. The solution is to enlarge the text onscreen.

1. Software based Large Print programs allow the low-vision computer user unlimited access to all software applications either text or graphics based. This solution provides the greatest amount of flexibility because the low-vision individual can carry his or her access technology to any compatible workstation within the business.
2. Hardware/Software base Large Print programs perform the same function as their software counterparts but require the system to be assigned to one workstation at a time. This solution is less flexible however, this type of setup will often times work in mainframe emulation programs when the software based large print programs will not.
3. The use of a Scanner and Optical Character Recognition Software allows the low-vision computer user access to almost all printed material. Scanned material could be read onscreen then saved to disk for later retrieval. Additionally, forms can be scanned, placed on the screen, filled out then sent to the printer for distribution.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH ORTHOPEDIC disABILITIES

Orthopedic disABILITIES resulting from accidents, strokes, birth defects and neurological disorders have range of mobility impairments that are enormously varied. Additionally, persons with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome present unique problems employers today. For persons with these types of disABILITIES, keyboard access and accommodation is critical.

1. Correct Keyboard Positioning will aid in reducing fatigue and minimize physical exertion associated with data input. 
2. Keyboard Access is critical. Multiple keystroke commands common to many computer applications can be an obstacle to persons with virtually any degree of orthopedic disability.
3. Use of Keyboard Control programs to eliminate automatic key repeat, multiple key commands through "latching down" keys and key timing or delay capabilities.
4. Enhancing typing speed for persons with mild to moderate orthopedic disABILITIES whose typing speed is less than 10 words per minute can be accomplished with Word Completion Programs.
5. Speech recognition systems serve as a supplement or even replacement for data entry on a physical keyboard.
6. Low tech solutions for persons with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome keyboard positioning, keyboard wrist and arm rests, monitor placement and ergonomic seating are all critical issues.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED:

Many computer programs make use of various tones or beeps to alert the user to error conditions, work completion or other events. It is essential that deaf or hearing impaired persons have access to these cues.

1. The use of a highly visible prompt with the ability to change the duration, color, and location of such prompts.
2. Deaf individuals who have problems with written English benefit from grammar, speller and usage checkers.