Accessibility, Information, Resources, Self Advocacy, Self Advocacy Learning

Accessibility and Universal Access

Written by Catherine Nielsen on .

What is it and why should it matter?

“Ensuring equal access isn’t just a responsibility by law, or a checklist to be marked off. It is the constant process of seeking to expand meaningful participation for ALL abilities.”

NGCDD

Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, program, service, resource, or environment is equally accessible to everyone. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires State and local governments communicate as effectively with people who have vision, hearing or speech disabilities (“communication disabilities”) as someone without a disability.

Universal Access is the design and composition of a product, device, program, service, resource, or environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.

Assistive Technology (AT) is a product, device, or piece of equipment used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. For example:

  • Individuals who are blind often use audible output (products called screen readers that read web content using synthesized speech).
  • Individuals with learning disabilities such as dyslexia may also use audible output. This is often referred to as Text-to-Speech (TTS).
  • Individuals with fine motor impairments may be unable to use a mouse, and instead rely exclusively on keyboard commands, or use head pointers, mouth sticks, or eye-gaze tracking systems.
  • Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are unable to access audio content, so video needs to be captioned and audio needs be transcribed.
Accessibility is for Everyone!

The Council is working diligently to ensure all aspects of our services are accessible to the fullest extent of our current knowledge and resources. We believe embedding accessible, inclusive, universal design practices ensures people who have disabilities and/or use assistive technology devices have equal or comparable access to content.

One of our 5 year state plan objectives is to partner with other agencies to provide information on how to create accessible materials, media and websites, thereby; increasing the number of persons with I/DD that have access to important information. Read our guide to What is Accessibility and Why It Should Matter To You.

Basic Digital Accessibility Tips

  • When emailing PDF’s or other visual content such as event flyers, include informational details in the body of the email as well.
  • Use sans serif fonts as they are easier to read (Times New Roman is not a sans serif font).
  • Include alternative text for images, graphics and tables.
  • Use built-in spacing, headings and styles in documents.
  • Use bulleted lists.
  • Don’t rely on colored or highlighted text, graphics, images or emoji’s alone to convey important information.
  • Use the accessibility checker feature built into most word, ppt and email software (note this does not ensure complete accessibility).
  • Use the read aloud option (also built into most word and email software) to check that your work is in the correct order and makes sense for someone using a screen reader.
  • Rooted in Rights’ #AccessThat resources on transcripts, audio description, captions, alt-text and more.
View all of our Accessibility Video’s and Tutorials on YouTube.

Inclusive Meetings and Events

Virtual

  • Include people with different disabilities when researching options and getting feedback since not all platforms are equally accessible.
  • Explore the accessibility features of the platforms you are researching and learn how to use them.
  • Consider captioning, sign language interpretation, and other potential accommodations into your budget.
  • Create and share step-by-step directions of how to get on the event and how to use the platform well ahead of the meeting.
  • Provide any written or visual materials ahead of time to give people an idea of what to expect and the ability to plan in advance. Be sure to use an accessible file format.
  • While sharing visual information such as handouts or a recorded video, be sure to describe what’s happening and add captions.
  • Give notice about questions that participants might be asked to respond to, even icebreakers.
  • Include call in options (data shows that people with disabilities are less likely to use the internet)

Additional resources on virtual meetings:

In Person

Additional Resources

GREAT video that shows what it’s like using a screen reader with and without an accessible document.

Some content on our website was written by, or provided from, outside resources. For content written by, or provided from, outside resources, you will need to contact that resource directly for an accommodation request. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations as defined by ADA Title 2 Regulations for NGCDD sponsored materials, meetings and events.

Accommodation Requests and Complaints:

We make every effort to ensure our content for NGCDD sponsored materials, meetings or events is accessible. If you need something in an alternate format or have other accommodation requests as defined by ADA Title 2 Regulations for NGCDD sponsored materials, meetings or events, please direct them  to our Executive Assistant, Ellen Marquez at elmarquez@dhhs.nv.gov or 775-684-8619 as soon as possible, but at least five business days before a meeting or event.

Information regarding ADA issues related to government services, public accommodations, and filing complaints can be found on the State of Nevada’s Department of Administration, Human Resource Management ADA page 

NGCDD Website Accessible Features

  • Accessibility Button on the top right of all pages. 
  • Site Map 
  • Links in the text are underlined
  • Target attributes are removed from links
  • Outline added to all links on focus mode
  • Alt text for non text images