ROLE OF THE ADA CONSULTANT

DEFINITION
CUSTOMERS
ALLEGIANCE
“KSAs”
CONSULTANT TOPICS
MATERIALS
ISSUES FOR CONCERN
RESOURCE LINKS

DEFINITION

  • PROVIDES EXPERTISE
  • IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
  • OFFERS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
  • HELPS IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS
  • PROVIDES RESOURCE LINKAGES
  • IDENTIFIES & MEETS NEEDS OF THE CUSTOMER
  • YOU ARE NOT A MEDIATOR
POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
  • PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS
  • FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES (All facets)
  • DISABILITY & ADVOCACY GROUPS
  • PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & CIVIC CLUBS
  • FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE
ALLEGIANCE
  • KNOW WHO YOUR CUSTOMER REALLY IS
  • AVOID TAKING SIDES
  • AVOID PUTTING YOURSELF “BETWEEN A ROCK & A HARD PLACE”
  • CREATE A WIN-WIN SITUATION
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSAs)
  • Knowledge of the law, regulations, tech.assist.manuals, case law & settlements
  • Ability to anticipate/define needs
  • Ability to train one-on-one or in group setting & prepare prof. Materials
  • Skills in negotiating and problem solving
  • Skilled communicator
ADA CONSULTANT TOPICS
  • Overview of the Law
  • Interviewing Tips
  • Reasonable Accommodations (the dialogue & the solutions)
  • Accessibility Issues
  • Fair Access to Goods & Services
  • Resource Linkages (who can do what & where do you find “it”
PROFESSIONAL MATERIALS
  • Listing of Consultant Services
  • Topical Training Materials (well done)
  • Videos
  • Reference Materials for Handouts
  • Lists of Other Resource Entities
  • Internet Sites
  • Training Activities Related to ADA (e.g. sighted guide training)
ISSUES FOR CONCERN
  • Do you really have the expertise in selected consultant topics?
  • Do you have credibility with the entity you’re consulting with?
  • Can you deliver what you promise?
  • Are you prepared to go to court?
  • Do you have the time?
  • Will you “study” and keep up to date?
  • Being the “final word” on a consultant topic
  • Writing reports or recommendations (e.g.on an accessibility review)
  • Deciding what’s “reasonable” in an accommodation
  • Being asked to do more than within the scope of your expertise
  • Alienating your customer
ADA RESOURCE LINKAGES
  • The “rehab” network
  • All the “800” numbers for ADA
  • All the internet links on ADA
  • DBTACs
  • Contacts at EEOC, DOJ and OFCCP 
  • Contacts with ADAP
  • Some “good” attorneys on both sides