Related Accessibility Links
The internet has an abundance of information about Accessibility issues and resources. The following are just a few of the many
excellent sites focused on Accessibility:
Access Symbols
Developed with the Graphic Artists Guild Foundation, it is a graphics package of 12 major access symbols, available online or on
computer disk, designed to help organizations better advertise their accessible programs and facilities.
Access New England
Access New England is a publication of the New England ADA & Accessible IT Center and provides information, materials and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Accessible Maine - AccME
Accessible Maine! is a collaborative initiative where VSA arts of Maine of Maine partners with Alpha One, the MS Society, and Husson College to increase awareness of accessibility issues in Maine cultural facilities.
ADA Compliance and Technical Assistance State Resource Directories
Compiled by The National Arts and Disability Center, directories include listings of organizations and agencies that provide technical
assistance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Arts in each state.
Adaptive Environments (AE) Center
A nonprofit organization, AE was founded in 1978 to address the environmental issues that confront people with disabilities and older
Americans.
Ability Maine: All Maine Votes
The articles and links on this page contain information about the voting process in Maine, as well as other resources.
Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators
An online companion to the printed text Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator’s Handbook (2003). The Guide provides guidance to cultural administrators on how to achieve accessible and inclusive programming for everyone including individuals with disabilities and older adults.
Complete guide in printable format (.pdf).
Alpha One Now
Since 1978, Alpha One, a Center for Independent Living, has enabled thousands of people with disabilities to live more fully and more independently in all aspects of their lives. Alpha One is one of New England's most comprehensive resources for information and technical assistance on accessibility and assistive technology.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The full text of the ADA statute as well as links to ADA-related resources online.
Artists' Health Insurance Resource Center
Information about individual and small business group health insurance options available in each state. A project of the Actors'
Fund.
Blazie Engineering/Freedom Scientific
Helping to change your world through technology.
Bobby
This free service will allow you to test web pages and help expose and repair barriers to accessibility and encourage compliance with existing accessibility guidelines, such as Section 508 and the W3C's WCAG. To learn about products to test websites of all sizes for accessibility issues, please visit the accessibility section on www.watchfire.com.
Children with Disabilities Resource List
Organizations that assist families and children with disabilities find the resources and support available to them in the arts and
elsewhere.
Center for Assistive Technology, Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services & Rehabilitation Services
The Center for Assistive Technology provides information about assistive technology, how to use and evaluate various AT devices, and a place to view AT equipment.
Community Development Block Grants
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Report on federal funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for
removal of barriers in both public and private cultural facilities and programs.
Design for Accessibility:
A Cultural Administrator's Handbook
Designed to help organizations not only comply with Section 504 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act, but also assist in making access an integral part of planning, mission, programs, outreach, meetings, budget and
staffing.
Complete guide in printable format (.pdf).
Disabilities Rights Center
An independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Maine. Protection and Advocacy provides referrals, consultations, and levels of advocacy assistance. Their services include legal administrative remedies on behalf of people with disabilities who experience disability related discrimination, including protection under the ADA.
Disability Statistics
Online resource for Disability statistics. Access comprehensive, up-to-date U.S. disability statistics via graphs and
charts, tables, and written descriptions. This web site condenses several data sources into a
single, user-friendly, accessible internet resource. It also provides essential
background information on key issues related to disability statistics.
DO-IT/University of Washington
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology.
Gallaudet Research Institute
At Gallaudet University, deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students and scholars join together in a unique community to learn, to teach, and to create. Full access and open communication drive the Gallaudet University vision.
GO HEAR
This web site is dedicated to being the best source of information for families of infants and children diagnosed with a hearing loss and the professionals who work with these individuals. We hope this resource will answer many of the questions you may have.
Independent Living Centers
Independent Living Centers are typically non-residential, private, nonprofit,
consumer-controlled, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with all types of disabilities.
A good place to make sure you're doing your building designs and renovations right the first time.
Learning Independence Through Computers, Inc. (LINC)
A non-profit computer resource center that provides opportunities for people with disabilities, their families, professionals, and members of the business community to explore adaptive technology, computer systems, software, and the Internet. The organization’s objective is to help people with disabilities fulfill their potential for productivity at home, at school, at the workplace, and in the community. LINC serves people with all types of disabilities without regard to economic circumstances or age.
Maine Accessibility Corporation
A retail/service company, specializing in equipment designed to assist physically disabled people move about their home or office freely in their day to day lives.
Maine CITE Coordinating Center
Maine CITE is a statewide project designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults with disabilities.
Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)
The MDDC is a partnership of people with disabilities, their families, and agencies which identify barriers to community inclusion, self determination, and independence, and act to effect positive change.
Medical Care Development, Inc.
Medical Care Development plans, develops, and operates health systems and programs that help people achieve improved health in Maine and around the world.
National Arts and Disability Center
A resource, information and training center dedicated to promoting the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into the visual,
performing, literary, and media arts communities.
National Center for Accessible Media/WGBH
A research and development facility dedicated to the issues of media and information technology for people with disabilities in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
National Center on Accessibility
A collaborative program of Indiana University and the National Park Service, the National Center on Accessibility is the nation’s premiere resource promoting access for people with disabilities in recreation.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Office for AccessAbility
Information on activities, services and partnerships.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.
Media Arts Resource List
Organizations that can assist in the production and funding of media projects, federal agencies that relate to such projects and resources
to aid in closed- and open-captioning and audio description.
Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design
A useful tool developed by the Smithsonian Institute to assist exhibition team members to open exhibits to diverse audiences.
State and Regional Arts Agency Accessibility Coordinators List
State Arts Agency and Regional Arts Organization accessibility contact information. (Formerly known as 504/ADA Coordinators.)
State of Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is the state's public program that helps people with physical and mental disabilities obtain or retain employment. Its mission is to provide opportunities and resources to eligible individuals with disabilities, leading to success in employment and independent living.
State of Maine Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services (BDS)
The Department's mission is to join with individuals, families, and communities to encourage and assist people with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and substance abuse disorders to achieve good health and meaningful living.
Technology and Disability
An ISO press publication that communicates knowledge about the field of assistive technology devices and services, within the context of the lives of end users - persons with disabilities and their family members. While the topics are technical in nature, the articles are written for broad comprehension despite the reader's education or training.
The Accessible Museum: Model Programs of Accessibility for Disabled and Older People
By the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Association of Museums, 1993. Profiles a wide variety of museums, including art, natural history, and historic museums that have exemplary accessibility programs. Order number YAX221.
Price $35 (AAM members) and $40 (non-members). Shipping and handling $5.00. Mail to: the American Association of Museums (AAM) Bookstore, 1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. To order by phone, call 202/289-9128 or FAX 202/289-6578.
The National Disability Arts Forum
Established in 1990 to foster equality of opportunity for disabled people in all aspects of the arts.
The Non-Traditional Casting Project (NTCP)
The Non-Traditional Casting Project (NTCP) is a nonprofit advocacy organization established in 1986 to address and seek solutions to
the problems of racism and exclusion in theater, film and television.
The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion
Maine's university center for excellence in developmental disabilities - education, research and service.
Trace Research and Development Center
The Trace Research & Development Center is a part of the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1971, Trace has been a pioneer in the field of technology and disability.
VSA arts of Maine
Formerly Very Special Arts, VSA arts of Maine is a nonprofit organization that provides educational arts opportunities by, with and for people with disabilities and at risk. Founded over 20 years ago by Jean Kennedy Smith as an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, VSA offers programs in music, dance, drama, literature, creative writing and the visual arts. VSA arts of Maine demonstrates that the arts are integral to the creation of meaningful learning experiences and fulfilling lives. Contact VSA arts of Maine to request reference materials, bibliographies and people you can contact within Maine.
Watchfire
Provides enterprise software and services to manage online security, privacy, quality, and compliance risks.
WebABLE! Solutions Seminars and Workshops
WebABLE! Solutions conducts on-site training seminars and accessibility workshops for the World Wide Web, emerging technology and
usability/accessibility design.
Web Accessibility Initiative
WAI, in coordination with organizations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development
Web Design of Maine: Accessibility
Designing for a targeted audience is often crucial for the success of a web site. We also believe it is important to take into account the requirements of web users with disabilites (be it visually or physically or otherwise) when designing web sites.
