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Organizations that receive government funding are required
to provide accessible programs and services under Sections
503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes
organizations that receive funds directly from a federal agency
such as the National Endowment for the Arts, or indirectly
through pass through money or subgrants from a state agency
that receives federal funds. Federal funds are distributed
through a number of state agencies such as the Minnesota State
Arts Board, the state department of education, humanities
council, rehabilitation services, and others. In each case
the recipient of the federal funds must comply with the dispensing
agency’s Section 504 regulations.
A more recent law, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), extends accessibility provisions to the private sector
in order to help guarantee persons with disabilities employment
and the right to enter the economic, social and cultural mainstreams.
The ADA goes well beyond federally funded organizations to
encompass private sector entities that serve the public, including
cultural organizations that do not receive federal support,
retail businesses, movie theaters, and restaurants.
Beyond meeting basic requirements, all organizations are
encouraged to adopt accessibility strategies that will allow
every person the full benefits of participating in the arts.
The following are just a few, key resources that can help
you with your own accessibility planning:
National
Endowment for the Arts Office of AccessAbility
An excellent, comprehensive resource of accessibility information
and links
National Arts and
Disability Center
A national information dissemination, technical assistance,
and referral center specializing in the field of arts and
disability
Disability
Access Symbols
Symbols to promote and publicize accessibility of places,
programs and other activities for people with various disabilities
Web Accessibility
Initiative
Strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make your Web
site accessible to people with disabilities
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