Appendix III Survey Findings GAO United States General Accounting Office Survey of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), an agency of the U.S. Congress, is conducting a study of accessibility of public services and public accommodations for persons with disabilities. Congress has asked GAO to learn more about accessibility to understand the impact of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The survey is limited to architectural, physical, and communication barriers, as well as barriers that may be encountered when assistance is required. It does not, however, include barriers associated with negative attitudes of persons you may encounter. This questionnaire is being sent to persons with disabilities around the country. Your answers are entirely confidential. Your name and individual responses will not be released to anyone. Your answers will be combined with others to show the pattern of barriers across the nation. We will ask you to complete this survey again later this year. You were picked at random from the mailing list of a national advocacy group for persons with disabilities. Since this is a scientifically designed sample, we must hear from nearly everyone we have contacted. This is not required, but we are asking for your help. Otherwise our findings will be limited. HOW TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY This survey should be completed by the person it was mailed to because we believe this person has a disability affecting speech, hearing, vision, or mobility. If you do not fit this description, please indicate on the front page and return the survey with your name so we can avoid sending you future mailings. It should take 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Most questions can be answered quickly by checking the boxes or filling in the blanks. A version of this survey is available on audio cassette. If you require a copy, please call the phone number listed below. If you have difficulty checking the boxes or filling in the blanks, please feel free to record your answers on a separate page (in print or Braille) or on audio cassette, being sure to indicate all question and item numbers (e.g. question 1 has 5 items). If none of these options are feasible, please call to arrange for a telephone interview. Please return the completed questionnaire within 10 days of receipt. If you have any questions, please call Carolyn Feis, collect, at (202) 275-1864 (voice) or (202) 275-7034 (TDD). If the enclosed envelope is misplaced, please send your completed questionnaire to: Carolyn Feis U.S. General Accounting Office PEMD Room 5729 441 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20548 Survey Findings PART ONE: BARRIERS 1. Consider the times you have used parking facilities of a public establishment in the past 6 months. How often, if at all, have you encountered the following barriers? (Check one column per barrier). Survey Findings 2. Consider the times you have used pathways of a public establishment in the past 6 months. How often, if at all, have you encountered the following barriers? (Check one column per barrier). |