[nfbmi-talk] this is interesting philly gets it

[Mary Ann Robinson]

The work has already been done and this policy could be used as a model to 
follow.

Mary Ann
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 6:29 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] this is interesting philly gets it


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
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