American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Launches ACA National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) Website

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is pleased to announce the launch of the website for the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC). The NDNRC is an initiative aimed at providing cross-disability information and support to Navigators and other enrollment specialists thereby ensuring people with disabilities receive accurate information when selecting and enrolling in insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces.

The recently launched website already has news and resources designed to support groups who are providing enrollment assistance to consumers with disabilities as they enroll for coverage through the marketplaces. In the near future, the website will have a technical assistance guide to inform navigators and other enrollment specialists about special considerations people with disabilities face as they shop for healthcare coverage. Over the following months, the NDNRC website will also publish 17 fact sheets with more information regarding specific disability related issues and state specific information as well.

The NDNRC is comprised of seven national disability organizations which represent unique cross-disability experiences. Along with AAHD, the other six partner organizations are the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF); the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS); The Arc and United Spinal Association. The NDNRC is funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

For further information please contact Karl Cooper, AAHD Project Associate at 301-545-6140 ext. 204.

Roberta S. Carlin
AAHD Executive Director

AAHD is a national non-profit organization located in Rockville, MD dedicated to advancing health promotion and wellness initiatives for people with disabilities.

AAHD
American Association on Health & Disability
110 N. Washington Street
Suite 328-J
Rockville, MD 20850

Ph: 301-545-6140
Fx: 301-545-6144

In marking the 23rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), EARN recently spoke with Bobby Silverstein, one of the “behind the scenes architects” of the Act, to hear his perspective on the implementation of the ADA and the implications for employers as well as people with disabilities. Mr. Silverstein has more than 40 years of experience in the public policy arena.

Read the interview on the EARN|Exchange blog.
Click here to view EARN’s resources on the ADA.

For more information and resources, visit www.AskEARN.org.

Is your organization interested in customer service and in keeping your audience base as it ages?

Market-focused business managers are moving beyond the compliance mindset to the realization that making their businesses and/or programs accessible to everyone is simply good customer service. These business owners and service providers are breaking new ground going beyond the “compliance” measures laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act and instead focus on customer needs and desires.  They embrace the “spirit of the law” and use it as an effective marketing tool.  

Visit stores, museums and other venues catering to families and senior citizens and you see subtle measures designed to increase the customer’s experience. Items addressed by accessibility laws are certainly present such as curb cuts, gently sloping ramps and automatic doors.  But these basic, foundation accommodations are embraced as marketing tools to increase the “customer experience”.  Lowered countertops allow patrons to easily complete transactions.  Wider aisles allow scooter access while increasing merchandise visibility. Large easy to read signage reduces frustration in locating items. However, these businesses have found their niche by going beyond the basics. 

Savvy business owners are learning low cost/no cost accommodations can increase customer satisfaction.  Small tables strategically placed beside manually operated doors allow individuals to sit down packages while opening the door.  Benches or chairs placed at regular intervals allow rest breaks.  Brochures and other printed materials are printed in large plain script on non glossy paper.  Background music is low and lights are bright in consideration of customers with hearing loss or vision impairments.  Aisles are clear, chairs are pushed in under tables and loose merchandise is up off the floor whenever possible. Hotels are being built with low threshold showers, eliminating the seldom used, hard to clean bathtubs. Accessible “family bathrooms” have become a welcome standard in family friendly venues.  Business owners who have focused on the “spirit of the law” have positioned their businesses to increase their customer base now and in the future.  

Approach accessibility solutions as you would any other marketing effort and continually ask customers “what can I do to improve your experience?”  You might be pleasantly surprised to discover new and easy ways to improve accessibility and increase your customer base.  For additional ideas, contact your nearest Center for Independent Living.