Access AmeriCorps

SECTION II: General Non-Discrimination Obligations

Programs have had the opportunity to examine how well they are ensuring that discrimination does not occur against Members with disabilities. Obligations for AmeriCorps programs extend beyond Members with disabilities to include the general public. AmeriCorps programs must provide equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities that they serve, as well. For example, an AmeriCorps program would be prohibited from excluding a qualified child with a disability from an after-school literacy program on the basis of their disability. The following checklist will assist you in determining how well you are complying with these obligations.

1. People with disabilities may not be excluded from services or from being a recipient of National and Community Service activities.
   

   Are there any circumstances where a person with a disability would be prohibited from receiving services from an AmeriCorps program?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

   1. If yes', please describe.
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   
   

2. People with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in programs and activities if they meet eligibility criteria for participation.
   

   Are there any circumstances where an individual with a disability would receive a lesser or different benefit than an individual without a disability?
   Yes _____
   No _____

   1. If 'yes', please describe.
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   2. If yes', is there a way to equalize participation? _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   
   

3. Surcharges may not be imposed on people with disabilities. Are participants/members of the public with disabilities ever charged an extra fee for program modifications, effective communication, or structural modification costs?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

4. Unless doing so constitutes a fundamental alteration, undue financial burden or undue administrative burden to the program, reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures must be made to enable a person with a disability to benefit from the program.
   

   Are program staff aware that they have the obligation to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to enable people with disabilities to receive services or benefit from the program?
   Yes _____
   No _____

   1. How do you know?
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   
   

5. Has an individual on staff been designated to make determinations about proposed changes to policies and practices or accommodations?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

6. Have program staff received any training or instruction on under what circumstances such modifications or changes might be necessary?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   1. If yes', please describe.
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   2. Has that training been effective?
      Yes _____
      No _____
   3. How do you know?
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   
   

7. Have program staff received training in disability as a diversity issue? (This would include training about disability awareness, civil rights, sensitivity and so forth).
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

8. Services must be provided to individuals with disabilities in the most appropriate integrated setting. This does not prohibit the establishment of separate programs for people with disabilities, e.g. an AIDS program as long as people with AIDS are not prohibited from participating in regular programs.
   

   Are there instances where members of the public with disabilities are provided services in a separate or segregated setting?
   Yes _____
   No _____

   1. If 'yes', please describe.
      _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
   
   

9. When an AmeriCorps program contracts with an outside organization to provide services on the program's behalf (such as training) the program is still responsible for ensuring that the contractor does not discriminate against people with disabilities.
   

   Has your program notified contractors of its obligation to comply with your level of obligation under the ADA and Section 504?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

   Have you required that they make assurances to that effect?
   Yes _____
   No _____
   

10. Please describe these assurances. (A copy of contractual assurances should be attached.