[nfbmi-talk] this is interesting philly gets it

[joe harcz Comcast]

So why doesn't LARA/BSBP get it?

Joe
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

BRAILLE AND ALTERNATE FORMAT REQUEST POLICY

 

POLICY SUMMARY:

 

Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law, the City of Philadelphia must furnish auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities when necessary to ensure effective communication. All City documents available to the public must be made available in an alternate, accessible format to people who are blind or visually impaired upon request.  Types of alternate format include large print, audio-cassette, computer disc, Braille and readers.  

 

The City may not place an extra charge on a person with a disability to cover the costs of auxiliary aids and services or other modifications designed to provide effective communication.  For example, if members of the public are typically charged for photocopy costs, an individual who needs a document in Braille may only be charged for the equivalent photocopy cost, not for the greater cost of transferring the document to Braille.

 

All City departments, agencies, boards, etc. must undertake their own arrangements to contact qualified outside agencies when necessary, and must pay for these services directly.  Insufficient funding is not a valid reason for refusing to provide material in alternate format when requested; departments must ensure that sufficient funding is available when needed (note that the costs associated with alternate format services are nominal, and in some cases, free of charge).  

 

All City of Philadelphia employees who have direct contact with the public should be made aware of the City’s obligation to provide material in alternate format upon request and should become familiar with the “DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORM” available from the Departmental ADA Coordinator or the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities.

 

In many cases, people who are blind or visually impaired may simply require assistance to read or fill out a form or document.  Such assistance should be provided by a City employee upon request.  If the document is lengthy or of a personal nature, providing the form or document in an alternate format may be more appropriate.  People with low vision may require materials in large print, which is defined as 18 point font size or larger.  It may be possible to accommodate such requests by enlarging a document on a photocopier, or reprinting materials from a computer in the larger font size.

 

For enlarging print on lengthier documents, or for transferring materials to Braille or audio-cassette, it will be necessary to contact an outside agency.  The following resources are provided for your information and should be contacted after filling out a “Disability Accommodation Request Form” and submitting it to your Departmental ADA Coordinator.

 

RESOURCES:
 
LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND
 

919 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Tel:  215-683-3213

Service:  Short Braille Transcription

Contact:  Susan Horvath

Service:  Audio-Cassette Recording

Rates:  Call for rates

 

ASSOCIATED SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
 

919 Walnut Street

ASB Braille Department

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Tel:  215-627-0600

Service:  Long Braille Transcription

Rates:  Call for rates

 

LIBERTY RESOURCES, INC.

 

714 Market Street

Suite 105

Philadelphia, PA 19106-2337

Tel:  215-634-2000 ext. 227

Service:  Braille Transcription

Rates:  Call for rates

 

** Please note that with Braille transcription, one print page equals approximately two Braille pages.

 

Additional Questions or Concerns May be Directed to the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities at:

 

1401 JFK Blvd.

Municipal Services Building

Room 1430

Philadelphia, PA 19102-

Tel:  215-686-2798