What does this indicator measure?
This indicator measures the specific efforts in the Dallas Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) to make facilities and information accessible to all people, regardless of disability.
Why is this indicator important?
An environment where both facilities and information are accessible to people with disabilities is one that will benefit from the contributions these members of the population can make. A healthy environment recognizes the strengths and skills of all its members and works to make it possible for all to participate effectively.
How are we doing?
According to Census 2000, about one fifth of the population, on the Dallas city, county, and PMSA levels, had some type of disability.
- The city of Dallas had a disability level of 22%. By age, 10% of people ages 5 to 20, 23% of people ages 21 to 64, and 44% of people ages 65 and older had a disability.
- Dallas County had a disability level of 20%. By age, 9% of people ages 5 to 20, 21% of those ages 21 to 64, and 43% of people ages 65 and older had a disability.
- The Dallas PMSA’s disability level was 18%. By age, 8% of people ages 5 to 20, 18% of people ages 21 to 64, and 43% of people ages 65 and older had a disability.
There are policies and legislation in place and different methods and activities occurring to ensure that these citizens are able to participate fully in their communities. Some of these are described here.
Universal design is the practice of designing products and environments to be usable by as many people as possible without adaptation. The University of North Carolina's Universal Design Center gives the history of this concept. Principles of universal design are being applied in many public and private settings within the counties of the Dallas PMSA to ensure that access to information or facilities is available to as much of the population as possible.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation devotes a section of their Web site to "Elimination of Architectural Barriers," which includes news in the realm of improving architectural accessibility, federal and Texas laws and standards, frequently asked questions, names and contact information for accessibility specialists, and a wealth of other information on the subject. There is also an online form to report violations.
Many Dallas public facilities are accessible to those with disabilities. To date, however, Dallas Indicators has not found a specific measurement of this access. While it is difficult to define measurable values for accessibility, various organizations and facilities in the PMSA include information on their Web sites regarding accessibility issues. The City of Dallas Web site has information about accessibility in various situations in Dallas.
- The City has made every possible effort to make the Web site, http://www.dallascityhall.com/, accessible to people with disabilities.
- They attempt to conform to the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a document prepared by W3C, a consortium of organizations around the world working to make the World Wide Web universally accessible.
- They ask anyone who has difficulty accessing particular items or pages on the site to contact the Dallas City Hall Public Information Office.
- Court and Detention Services gives the location of a wheelchair accessible entrance to the building on the Web site.
- The Dallas City Zoo notes on the Web site that wheelchair rentals are available at the facility.
The Dallas County Web site also has a statement that they are "committed to inclusion and universal access in all of its services and programs." They also request users who have difficulty accessing any of their online material to inform them.
By law, students with disabilities are guaranteed reasonable accommodation for their disabilities in order to provide positive learning experiences and opportunities for educational advancement. Public colleges and universities located within the counties included in Dallas Indicators appear to have clear online policies and procedures for making their facilities and learning opportunities accessible to students with disabilities. It is relatively easy to locate the information on each facility's Web site by using their search function to look for the term "accommodation." For instance: