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Effective Communication Requirements

• Communication-Related Interpretation Letters - The Department of Justice responds to citizen requests for interpretation of the ADA. At this link you will find a selection of those interpretation letters specifically related to communication issues.
• Communication Settlements and Consent Agreements - The ADA is continuously interpreted through court settlements and decisions. At this link you will find a selection of those settlement agreements and letters of finding specifically related to communication issues.
• Title II State and Local Government - Communications Requirements
  • II-7.1000 Equally effective communication.
  • II-7.2000 Telephone communications.
  • II-7.3000 Emergency telephone service.
• Title III Public Accommodation - Communications Requirements
• III-4.3000 Auxiliary Aids - Effective Communication
• Limitations and Alternatives: Undue Burden.
  • III-4.3600 Limitations and Alternative

Vision

• Accommodation Ideas for Vision Impairments
• What is Audio Description?
• Audio Description Home Page
• Alternate Formats

Speech

• Accommodation Ideas for Speech-Language Impairments
• Speech and Language Impairments:
• Resource Guide for speech/language impairments
• Language and Speech Impairments in Adult Education

Deaf/ Hard of Hearing

• Providing a Sign Language Interpreter - This document provides guidance in deciding whether to have an interpreter present to assist with providing effective communication.
• Communication Accessibility in the Courts - General information on ADA compliance with legalities concerning individuals with communication disabilities.
• Am I always entitled to an interpreter? - A very brief discussion of the conditions under which a sign language interpreter may be required.
• Communicating with Deaf/Hard or Hearing Individuals (Q & A) - An overview of issues relating to communicating with individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
• Closed Captioning – This fact sheet describes the benefits of and requirements for closed captioning of television programming
• Accommodation Ideas for Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Disability Rights Office for Federal Communications Commission
• Legal Services: Attorneys, Deaf Clients, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Real Time Captioning Information
• NCI's Real-Time Captioning

General Information

• Effective Communication Techniques - This short document lists effective techniques for communicating with people with various disabilities.
• Communicating with People with Disabilities - Additional material on effective techniques for communicating with people with various disabilities. (PDF document, requires Acrobat Reader)
• Providing Effective Communication - Provides descriptions of various techniques for providing effective communications. (PDF document, requires Acrobat Reader)
• Effective Communication: Faculty and Students with Disabilities - Specific recommendations for effective communications between students and faculty.
• How to Establish Effective Communication Procedures - This list provides guidance for developing a formal written communication procedure.
• Information Resources By Specific Disabilities
• Accommodation Information By Disability
• Accessibility of Emergency Video Programming to Persons with Hearing and Visual Disabilities

General Communications Documents

• Frequently Asked Questions about Communications and Disability – This list of FAQ's covers many aspects of communications and disability.
• Hearing Aid Compatibility for Telephone Equipment – This fact sheet describes the requirements for telephone equipment to be compatible with hearing aids.
• Accessibility of Wireless Telephones – This fact sheet describes the requirements for digital wireless telephones to be compatible with hearing aids.
• Closed Captioning – This fact sheet describes the benefits of and requirements for closed captioning of television programming.

• Consumers' Guide to Telecommunications Relay Service - This document provides a consumer guide to the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), which enables standard voice telephone users to talk to people who have difficulty hearing or speaking on the telephone.
• Telecommunications Relay Service Frequently Asked Questions – A one-page list of frequently asked questions about relay services.
• Telecommunication Relay Service Regulations – The FCC regulations implementing the Title IV Relay Service requirements of the ADA.
• Speech to Speech Services - This document provides a list of toll free phone numbers to access the service called Speech-To-Speech (STS) in your state. STS is a form of Relay Services that provides Communications Assistants (CAs) for people with speech disabilities who have difficulty being understood on the phone.
• Payphone Relay Service – One-page summary of payphone relay services.
• 7-1-1 Service for TRS – This short document describes the new 7-1-1 service for accessing the telecommunication relay service from anywhere in the US.