Disability.gov LinkedIn

JANUARY LINKEDIN ACTIVITY

NEWS from Stephanie Bostaph, Communications Specialist, Disability.gov

Disability Connection: January Edition

Link to: http://www.disability.gov/home/pressroom/disability_connectionnewsletter/2010/january

NOVEMBER LINKEDIN ACTIVITY

DISCUSSION from Kevin Connors, Program Director, Disability.gov

Federal Computer Week article on accessibility of federal Web sites

In response to the articles entitled "Gov 2.0: Transparency without accessibility?" and "Putting Web sites to the test" that ran in the November 16, 2009 edition of Federal Computer Week, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that Disability.gov is fully compliant with both Section 508 and W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines based on extensive testing that has been done on the site by both our in-house 508 specialist and additional accessibility specialists. In late July of this year, Disability.gov was completely redesigned to make the site both more useful and more accessible to our users. We are truly committed to making the site not only compliant with 508 and W3C guidelines, but going above and beyond those standards to make Disability.gov accessible to all of our visitors. We have conducted extensive accessibility and usability testing of the redesigned site on a variety of machines using various Web browsers, screen readers and other assistive technology, and our 508 specialist and other accessibility experts found Disability.gov to be fully compliant and accessible based on these guidelines. We feel the articles that ran in FCW do not reflect an accurate representation of Disability.gov. If you have experienced any accessibility issues while using the site, please let us know so that we may take any necessary steps to ensure the site if fully accessible. Many thanks.

DISCUSSION from Robert G. Goldstraw, Web Content Manager, Disability.gov

Check out Disability.gov's blog (http://blog.govdelivery.com/usodep/) to comment on recent posts about people w/ disabilities in volunteer service programs, a Section 508 compliant video player & more.

QUESTION from Dylan Wadlington, Owner of Wadlington Remodeling, LLC

What funding resources are available for home modifications to enable independant and CGA use of the home?

Can anyone reccommend funding alternatives for individuals who need home modifications. Often, those that need them the most can afford them the least. It can be heart breaking to know how much better someones life could be if they didn't have to worry about getting in & out of the tub every day. Imagine how much mental energy is exerted that could be spent thinking about anything else if the barrier were removed. Often my clients are on fixed incomes and have never had to put their hand out before. So asking for help has stigma that can be outweigh the benefits the project could bring.

RESPONSE FROM DISABILITY.GOV posted by Stephanie Bostaph, Communications Specialist, Disability.gov

Have you checked Disability.gov? Disability.gov offers a wide range of resources on home modification, accessibility, universal design and independent living. To find services and programs near your clients, select your state from the drop-down menu under "Information by State" on Disability.gov's home page (www.disability.gov) and select "Housing" from the subject list.

You may also wish to visit the Housing (http://www.disability.gov/housing/accessibility%26_universal_design) and Independent Living (http://www.disability.gov/community_life/independentliving) sections of the site.

Other resources that may be helpful:

The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification lists state-specific information on community resources that may help with funding (http://www.usc.edu/dept/gero/nrcshhm/directory/pa.htm) and a fact sheet on home modification that answers frequently asked questions (http://www.homemods.org/FAQ/index.shtml).

The Council for Disability Rights Home Modification "Funding" page (http://www.disabilityrights.org/mod3.htm).

Rebuilding Together (http://www.rebuildingtogether.org) offers assistance in making home modifications to help older Americans and people with disabilities, including veterans (http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/section/initiatives/veteran_housing), remain in their homes and live independently.