The Accessible Virtual Campus

Use this AUDIT to determine how universally designed a kiosk is. This three part audit assesses accessibility, usability, and score.

This document contains tips for "contracting for services that work for everyone including people with disabilities". Check these tips to insure accessibility before contracting for services.

A lecture from the ACCESS-ed Conference 2008 presented by Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler on the importance of Universal Design in Higher Education. This lecture digs deeper into what it means for a facility to be Universally Designed and steps that are required to reach that status.

Is there a way to display text-based data on a map, keeping it accessible, useful, and visually attractive? Yes there is by using an accessible CSS-based map in which the underlying map data is separated from the visual layout. This web article explains, and gives an example for making web-based maps more accessible.

Warning surfaces are “standardized surface feature built in or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn of hazards on a circulation path.” This website explains why these are necessary plus provides specifications, research reports, and recommendations.

This article by the U.S. Department of Housing provides information on the housing accessibility requirements for both private and federally assisted housing.

This website contians the Landscapes For All Project which was conceived in 1990 as a logical extension of the excellent work in park and playground access by the firm of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. This is a brief on-line source of concepts and drawing for Universal Design outdoor spaces.

"The Tool Kit is designed to teach state and local government officials how to identify and fix problems that prevent people with disabilities from gaining equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities. It will also teach state and local officials how to conduct accessibility surveys of their buildings and facilities to identify and remove architectural barriers to access."

This website explains the requirements of state and local governments for making all of civic life accessible to persons with disabilities.

This PDF describes assistive technology used on the farm. The material is organized into categories with examples of technology listed.

This article reports on research completed as part of a contract from the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. The goals of the project were to complete a state of the art review on the subject of automated doors and develop recommendations for revising the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) in light of the findings. These recommendations address both scoping criteria when and if automated doors should be required, and technical criteria how they should be designed if they are used in buildings.

This webpage includes an "AT Quick Reference" guide to help individuals adapt their bathrooms to be more accessible. This webpage answers frequently asked questions regarding the best ways to adapt the bathroom.

This website focuses on some of the emerging accessibility issues, design parameters that affect sidewalks, street crossing design, and operation. It provides recommendations on how to design sidewalks, street crossings, intersections, shared use paths, and recreational pedestrian trails. (Last updated 2001)

This 6 page article discusses the problems with current waste bins in regards to accessibility for all people. The article also provides solutions and specific guidelines for a universally designed waste recepticle. It is an interesting article because it addresses something we use everyday but may take for granted; people with disabilities need to access trash and recycling bins, too!

This checklist (1995) will help you identify accessibility problems and solutions in existing facilities in order to meet your obligations under the ADA, however may be outdated with regard to specific updates in the law.

This article form Access Today focuses on the critical components of an accessible trail. The author then gives advice on how to meet all of these components depending on the type of trial.

A nifty set of tools that visually demonstrate wheelchair maneuverability on architectural plans. Disclaimer: This page is provided only to supply information/examples of adaptive exercise equipment. No endorsement of products or firms is intended, nor is criticism implied of those not included.

"The WBDG is the only web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with one-stop access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a 'whole buildings' perspective. Currently organized into three major categories; Design Guidance, Project Management and Operations & Maintenance at the heart of the WBDG are Resource Pages, reductive summaries on particular topics." Their accessibility page delineates a comprehensive history of accessible building design with links, relevant codes & standards, and major resources. "Information in these Accessible pages must be considered together with other design objectives and within a total project context in order to achieve quality, high performance buildings."