Policy

In an effort to assist in research and development in the field of Universal Design, the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design at Buffalo (R.E.R.C. on Universal Design) provides links to many sites that offer beneficial concepts, information, or innovations. These links are intended to be as comprehensive as possible in offering the very best in Universal Design.

Commercial and not-for-profit organizations alike are invited to submit website information for consideration and inclusion on this site via email at any time. All links should be submitted with the understanding that, prior to posting for general viewing, these links are subject to review to ensure a high level of clarity, quality, and content.

General feedback to the address below is also greatly encouraged. In the unlikely event that numerous complaints are received regarding companies linked to the IDEA/RERC site, every effort will be made to re-review, and as a last option, remove, the information in question.

On occasion, organizations change their web sites or abandon them. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to check links continuously. For this reason, IDEA/RERC cannot guarantee the accuracy of the links, nor of the content contained therein.

It is our firm intention to provide the most accurate, complete, and current information available for research and commercial purposes. As always, questions or concerns regarding accuracy or general concepts are greatly appreciated and can be directed to our web development team.  Click here to contact our web development team. 

Links

Featured Site

World of Universal Design provides brief information and links to leading centers of research, education and technical assistance around the world. Check the site to find out how to get listed.

Government

The Access Board provides information on the A.D.A. Accessibility Guidelines. Get the latest edition of the A.D.A.A.G.

Several cities in Finland are joining together and producing their service accessibility guides in cooperation with disabled people's organizations. Together they have published the web site Accessible Helsinki.

The Federal Transit Administration provides technical assistance and information on transportation.

The A.D.A. Technical Assistance Program is a comprehensive resource for information on the Americans with Disabilities Act

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (N.I.D.R.R.) has established ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers to provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA

U. S. Department of Justice A.D.A. Information Line provides information on state and local government programs, privately-operated businesses and services, access to facilities, design standards enforceable under the ADA, and tax credits and deductions.

The National Council on Disability is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.

The California Division of State Architect has an online guide to universal design and links to other access compliance resources.

Commerce

The Ability Hub is an online guide to assistive technology for computers.

The Adaptive Access Company provides construction services for the elderly and people with disabilities in Houston, Texas. They offer remodeling and accessibility modifications to homes, and business compliance to the ADA and Texas Accessibility Standards.

Accessible Designs Adjustable Systems in Ohio designs accessible office furniture, kitchen appliances, and healthcare furniture.

Great Grabz of Naples, FL is a manufacturer of innovative decorative bathroom accessories that have the strength, stability, and safety of a traditional grab bar, but without the institutional look. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

Ardinger Consultants and Associates is a group of nationally recognized experts, trainers and consultants dedicated to educating and assisting companies with their disabled accessibility situations and issues. ACA has developed the first Field Accessibility Survey Tool that enables anyone to easily determine potential violations of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act, The ADA, Section 504 and the Architectural Barriers Act.

The Design Linc is an on-line Design Resource and Information Center providing listings for Products and Services available for the physically challenged and their caregivers.

LP Ciminelli, Inc. is a construction company based in Buffalo where it was founded 40 years ago. They provide general contracting, program management, construction management and design-build services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and as far west as California. They have extensive international experience in developing electronic toll and traffic management systems and they are now planning to bring technology used in that field to parking systems. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

Homes for easy Living - Universal Design Consultants is a division of Pacific Century Homes created to promote inclusive Universal Design throughout the residential building industry by assisting developers, builders, and architects with incorporating the principles of Universal Design into their projects.

Home Technology Systems, Inc. is a communications firm based in Dubuque, Iowa, specializing in emergency call and emergency response telephone systems for senior living communities and individual seniors in their own homes. HTS provides medical alert, nurse call, and alarm monitoring solutions to 400 senior living communities and has an extensive dealer network throughout North America. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

Independent Living Products specializes in products to help maintain a persons independence. Such as aids for dressing, bath and grooming, eating, mobility, recreation, kitchen and household etc.

Wheelchair features a comprehensive article about how to select a wheelchair ramp. This article has been reviewed and developed in collaboration with experienced wheelchair ramp designers. The site also documents the history of assistive technology and showcases a large collection of wheelchair sports videos and interviews with well known wheelchair athletes.

Number 1 Stair Lifts is an impartial resource about the various types of home stair lifts, including articles about stair lift manufacturers, a measuring guide for stair lifts and a frequently asked questions section.

Ricon Lifts has over 33 years of experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of wheelchair lifts and ramps for commercial, paratransit, heavy transit, and Motorcoach vehicles. Located near Los Angeles, CA, Ricon is the largest manufacturer of its kind in the world and operates a global commercial dealer network. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

The Touch Graphics, Inc. is New York City-based business that focuses on developing new computer technologies for use by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

The UDhomes Design Center is a source for universal design home plans and design services.

Universal Designers and Consultants, Inc. in Maryland provides accessibility consulting services.

Verizon Communications Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates a wireless network serving 45.5 million voice and data customers. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International services include wireline and wireless operations and investments. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

WeMedia.com has a listing of accessible houses for sale around the country.

The Wheelchair Site provides factual, up-to-date information and shopping advice on wheelchairs, scooters and accessories to online consumers.

Organizations

Access North conducted The Ramp Project provides ramps for people with disabilities on a sliding fee scale.  Many times this project makes the difference between an individual coming home or living in an institution.  The ramps are modular, made of wood, require no footings, and can be temporary or more permanent.  Ramps are installed by a project supervisor and community volunteers, this makes them cost effective (about a third of what it costs to have a typical contractor build one).

AZtech, Inc. provides professional services to businesses and inventors with strong support from the consumers of assistive technology products.

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization to preserve and revitalize houses and communities, assuring that low-income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, and families with children, live in warmth, safety and independence.

Concrete Change is a leading advocate of visit-ability.

Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration, Easter Seals Project ACTION promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.

The Independent Living Center is an international independent living organization serves self-help organizations of disabled people who work for equal opportunities, self-determination and self-respect by offering training materials, technical assistance and information on personal assistance, advocacy, access, legislation and peer support.

Lighthouse International helps to enable people of all ages to overcome vision impairment through worldwide leadership in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy.

National Fair Housing Advocate is a project of the Tennessee Fair Housing Council.

The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI), funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), advances learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities by fostering technology innovation. NCTI enriches the field by providing resources and promoting partnerships for the development of tools and applications by researchers, developers, and vendors.

The South East Senior Housing Initiative (SESHI) is a coalition of churches, community groups, health care providers, nonprofit developers and local governmental agencies in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1989, they are a grassroots organization committed to helping older adults remain in their homes and in the community through the provision of home adaptations, health and social support services.

The United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of all individuals with spinal cord injury or disease by ensuring quality health care, promoting research, advocating for civil rights and independence, educating the public about these issues, and enlisting its help to achieve these fundamental goals. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

Bridge Multimedia is a New York City-based media company dedicated to supporting all facets of universally accessible media for entertainment, educational, commercial, and government applications. They are the creators of Emergency Info Online, a website and printer-friendly resource directory established to provide information regarding organizations involved in emergency preparedness and communications, particularly as they relate to the Emergency Alert System and individuals with disabilities. The directory includes information about and reports from government agencies and commissions, private and not-for-profit organizations, and foreign and international groups pertaining to their work involving response, recovery, and communications during times of emergency, with an additional focus on the accessibility of such communications for people with disabilities

Research and Education Centers

Adaptive Environments Center, Inc. in Boston, runs the Universal Design Education Project as well as the National Access for Public Schools Project.

The Center for Assistive Technology in Buffalo conducts research, education and service to increase knowledge about assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University is a national research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.

The Intelligent Assistive Technology and System Lab (IATSL) aims to develop assistive technology that is adaptive, flexible, and intelligent, to enable users to participate fully in their daily lives. Located in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University .of Toronto, we are a multi-disciplined group of researchers with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and gerontology.

Job Accommodation Network provides additional ADA information and referral sources from Federally funded grantees.

The National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research conducts a wide range of research and related activity including: Employment Outcomes, Research Health and Function Research, Technology for Access and Function Research, Independent Living and Community Integration Research, Associated Disability Research, Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization Activities, Capacity Building for Rehabilitation Research Training Activities, and State Technology Assistance Projects.

The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications provides evaluation, policy analysis, education, training and technical assistance.

The Ontario Rehabilitation Technology Consortium (ORTC) is one of the most respected rehabilitation technology centers in North America and has over US$30 million in research funding. It has established a remarkable record of contributions to knowledge—transferring over 30 products to market and launching several new companies. The headquarters of the ORTC are now located at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute which is Canada’s largest rehabilitation hospital and an affiliate of the University of Toronto. (IDEA CENTER PARTNER)

SPINAL CORD Information Network at the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides a comprehensive and organized source of Spinal Cord Injury information and resources from recognized centers, organizations, researchers and educators.

The Trace Research & Development Center in Wisconsin aims at preventing barriers and to capitalize on the opportunities presented by current and emerging information and telecommunication technologies, in order to create a world that is as accessible and usable as possible for as many people as possible..

Disability and Aging

Check out Wally Dutcher's Home Page for the design of an affordable, accessible home.

Yahoo - Society and Culture: Disabilities has lots of great links.

Trade/Professional Organizations

RESNA - The Rehabilitation Technology Professional Association

Questions or comments about this page or this policy can be directed to Alex Bitterman, Director of Information Design and Dissemination.  Click here to send Alex an e-mail.

N.I.D.R.R. Sponsorship

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design is funded by the United States Department of Education through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. 

No endorsement should be assumed by N.I.D.R.R. or the United States Government for the content contained on this website.