Accessibility Resources

Information Technology Assistance

• In 1998, Congress amended Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
  Summary of Section 508 Standards
  Section 508 Standards in full
• www.section508.gov was created by The Center for Information Technology Accommodation's (CITA), to provide the public and Federal employees resources for understanding and implementing the requirements of Section 508.
• The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities, and was responsible for developing the section 508 standards.
• Section 508 Checklist is provided by WebAIM to print and use while creating web pages. Other resources can be found on their site as well.
• W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) site offers guidelines, checklists, techniques, and links to evaluation and repair tools.

State of Maine Disability Resources

• The Maine Guide to Accessible Recreation, Arts and Leisure
  A guide about recreational opportunities available to people with disabilities in Maine. Activities include beaches, boating, hiking and camping, horseback riding, hunting and fishing, museums and historic sites, etc., etc.
• Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services , Department of Labor
  BRS strives to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people with disabilities.
• Vocational Rehabilitation
  A program that helps people with disabilities obtain and keep a job.
• Comprehensive Services For Visually Impaired And Blind Individuals Of All Ages
  If you have a vision problem that prevents you from carrying out the activities of daily living, getting an education or a job, there is help. The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired can provide many services to persons with severe visual impairments.
• Division of Deafness
  The Division of Deafness (DoD) provides a variety of services for deaf citizens of Maine including information and referral; advocacy; statewide registry; and promotion of accessibility. Additionally, DoD coordinates the assessment of the needs of people who are deaf and hard of hearing in order to recommend legislation to change or improve services. Other programs include Telecommunications Devices, Legal Interpreting, Identification Cards, Hearing-Ear-Dog registration.
• Independent Living Services Program
  The Independent Living Services (ILS) Program assists people who have significant disabilities to live more independently in their homes and communities. The program provides and arranges needed IL services subject to the availability of funds. The program is also an advocacy program for people with disabilities and their families.
• Client Assistance Program
  The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally funded program that provides information, assistance and advocacy to people with disabilities who are applying for or receiving services under the Rehabilitation Act. Programs under this Act include Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Services and Projects with Industry.
• Disability Rights Center
  The Disability Rights Center provides protection and advocacy services for eligible people of all ages with developmental disabilities or mental illness. DRC offers direct advocacy assistance, information and referral, and training.
• Disability Determination Services , Department of Human Services
  The Maine Disability Determination Service is comprised of Maine State workers who make disability decisions for the Social Security Administration. These decisions directly service the citizens of our state and bring approximately four hundred million dollars in benefits to disabled Maine citizens.
• Bureau of Elder and Adult Services
  The Bureau promotes programs and services for older adults, their families and for people with disabilities.
• Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife ,
  Special fishing and hunting permits are available for people with disabilities, including the blind, disabled veterans, people with cognitive disabilities, and paraplegics.
• Maine State Library Outreach Services
  State Library services include talking books, large print books, and descriptive video
• MaineCare for Workers with Disabilities
  Maine Medicaid has a new option that allows someone with a disability to earn more and keep Medicaid. In the past, people lost their Medicaid if they earned too much.
• AccessMaine
  A website developed to assist Mainers with disabilities, their families, and providers. There is also lots of information here that is useful to employers, educators, researchers, and the general public
• MaineCITE Assistive Technology
  A statewide project designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults who have disabilities.