Accessibility @ Mason

Disability Law & University Policies | Mason Resources & Services | Local Resources | National Resources | Emergency Response Resources

Disability Law & University Policies

University Policy Number 1203 - Non-Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodations on the Basis of Disability

University Policy Number 1308 - University Information Technology Accessibility

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

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Mason Resources & Services

Resources and Services for Students with Disabilities

Resources and Services for Employees with Disabilities

Mason Accessibility on the Web and Beyond

AT Equipment and Software supported by Mason

Disability Statement - Sample disability statements for instructors/professors to include in course syllabus, provided by the GMU Center for Teaching Excellence

Office of Disability Services

Office of Equity & Diversity Services

Counseling & Psychological Services - Learning Services

The University Writing Center

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Local Resources

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) collaborates with the public and private sectors to provide and advocate for the highest quality services that empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society.

Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) is here to ensure that Virginians of all ages and abilities can acquire the appropriate, affordable assistive and information technologies and services they need to participate in society as active citizens.

Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is committed to providing quality services to assist Virginia's citizens who are blind, deafblind or vision impaired in achieving their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence.

Dept. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public.

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) VBPD serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council. DD Councils are in every state and territory of the United States. They work for the benefit of individuals with DD and their families to identify needs and help develop policies, programs and services that will meet these needs in a manner that respects dignity and independence.

Virginia Human Rights Council

Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (VRID) The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation/ transliteration services among people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and people who are hearing will ensure effective communication. As the professional association for interpreters and transliterators, RID serves as an essential arena for its members in their pursuit of excellence.

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National Resources

US Dept. of Education - Office of Civil Rights - The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.

Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) is funded through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. It is a unique consortium comprised of more than 600 colleges and universities and over 300 major national employers focused on the career employment of college graduates with disabilities. The web site offers news and events, profiles, training services, a list of sponsors, and other helpful links.

Department of Justice (DOJ) – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers a wealth of information on general publications, businesses and non-profit service providers, and state and local government guides to rights and laws. A list of other Federal Agencies that the ADA is responsible for includes, Employment (EEOC), Public Transportation (DOT), Telephone Relay Service (FCC), and many others.

DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. With just a few clicks, the site provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology and transportation.

LD Online is a national educational service of the public television station WETA in Washington, D.C. The web site offers information service in the field of learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals. It offers “this month’s focus,” tips, and recent news.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transportation (NCSET) creates opportunities for youth with disabilities to achieve successful futures. It provides technical assistance and disseminates information focused on four major areas: improved access in secondary education, positive post-school results, participation in educational and post-school decision making, improved system linkages and networks at the national, state, and local levels.

National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult offers information about employment and youth with disabilities. Materials on practices, policies, and procedures in workforce development are available as a resource for One-Stop Career Centers, state and local Workforce Investment Boards, and policymakers.

National Federation of the Blind is the nation’s largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons. The web site offers links to scholarships available, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances, and the development and evaluation of technology.

National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is one of the largest outdoor sports and therapeutic recreation programs that positively impact the lives of people with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges. It offers a list of disabilities served, (but of course is not limited to these). The web site also offers links to programs, events, donations and sponsors, volunteers, media, and other links and resources.

National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is dedicated to advancing the next generation of disability leaders. It offers the history of NYLN, the by-laws of the governing board, a list of sponsors, and how to subscribe. It also has a newsroom, resources, and a link to youth experts.

Social Security Administration (SSA) offers information to help youths with disabilities, their parents and families, teachers, and counselors. It offers personal experience articles and a long list of links to other related resources.

ETS® Disabilities and Testing provides information to applicants with disabilities who seek approval of reasonable testing accommodations. The web site offers tests, services, research, frequently asked questions, a career center, and the latest in news and media. The site also offers links to guides related to physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, ADHD, learning disabilities and many others.

The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of the learning disability, dyslexia. The web site offers “what’s new,” frequently asked questions, a fact sheet, information regarding research, and public policy to name a few.

Schwab Learning offers a section dedicated to a guide for helping parents with children who have learning difficulties. The web site offers free, reliable, research-based content to help parents identify and manage learning and attention problems, connect with other parents, and locate helpful resources. Also available in Spanish.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization that creates a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) advocates in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more.

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Emergency Response Resources

The following resource links were submitted in response to a request for information related to crisis response and emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy. We will add additional resources as we receive them and may add categories as appropriate.

Counseling/Crisis Response

The Jed Foundation - Ulifeline™
Ulifeline™ is an anonymous, Internet-based resource that provides students with a non-threatening and supportive link to their college mental health or counseling center. It was created to give students more knowledge about mental health and the signs and symptoms of emotional problems. The site provides information for colleges, students and parents.

National Association of School Psychologists
School Safety and Crisis Resources
NASP has made these materials available free of charge to the public in order to promote the ability of children and youth to cope with traumatic or unsettling events.

The National Institute of Mental Health

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide - Work on this project was initially sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and has been produced by the Veterans Administration.

June Isaacson Kailes
Ms. Kailes is a nationally known advocate in the independent living movement who has spearheaded efforts to improve disaster response with respect to persons with disabilities.

DisabilityInfo.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Trauma and Disaster Mental Health Resources (link: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/)
The site provides resources for individuals and families, responders, health professionals, states and planners.

United States Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The site provides an extensive collection of information for Responders, Adults, Families, Older Adults, and Schools.

Publications for Mental Health and Disaster Issues
Understanding Mental Illness – After the Virginia Tech Tragedy
Violence and Mental Illness: The Facts - A comprehensive gateway to mental health information regarding myths and facts about mental illness, reducing stigma and campus and public policy, with links to NAMI, APA and other organizations.
Before You Label People, Look at Their Contents

The National Alliance of Mental Illness
The Virginia Tech Tragedy: Distinguishing Mental Illness from Violence

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