According to census data (1999), approximately 54 million Americans have a disability, with an estimated 26 million of those classified as severe. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to protect the civil rights of these individuals. The ADA is comprised of five titles that are designed to remove barriers in the areas of employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, telecommunications and transportation.
Successful implementation of the ADA requires the identification and removal of all physical, attitudinal, policy and procedural barriers to equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. The "ADA Project" at the Institute on Disability and Human Development at UIC attempts to further the implementation and compliance of the ADA in Latino and African-American communities. During the past five months, the "ADA Project" has collaborated with a local Independent Living Center (ILC) on a project that promotes compliance with the ADA in 1) Pilsen-Little Village, 2) the south side of Chicago, and 3) the west side of Chicago.
Thirty establishments (total n=90) in each community were selected by the ILC and their consumers to participate in the study. The selection of these sites was based on whether the establishment received empowerment zone funding or if the establishment served a large number of people in the community. Identified places included restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, medical offices, social service offices, professional offices and public schools.
Following selection, trained research assistants visited the establishments to conduct a physical survey that determined an approximate level of ADA compliance. The findings of this survey were presented to business owners or managers immediately subsequent to the completion of the survey. A packet of information regarding ADA, barrier removal, and tax incentives were given to each owner or manager of the establishment.
Thus far, preliminary data from this project indicate that 21% of businesses visited are not in compliance with the ADA, 50% are in partial compliance, and 29% are in full compliance. Additionally, when business owners or managers were asked if they had a procedure to accommodate persons with a disability, 60% responded that they did not have a procedure while 40% stated that they did.
Our panel proposes to present data regarding the current level of ADA compliance in the targeted neighborhoods, as well as the challenges in conducting surveys out in the community. Instruments that were used to conduct the survey and the areas that were assessed such as entrance, parking and signage will be discussed. Findings of the surveys according to the number of establishments that were in full compliance, partial compliance and non-compliant will also be presented. Finally, the challenges in conducting the surveys such as barriers, resistance from business owners or managers, and suspiciousness directed toward the study will be discussed.