For many businesses and agencies, making room for people with disabilities means having wheelchair ramps, elevators and handicapped-accessible bathrooms.

        But being inclusive goes beyond architectural improvements, according to representatives of the Inclusion Network, a nonprofit organization promoting greater involvement for the disabled.

Peg Gutsell (left) and Sandy Kerlin (right) are co-directors of the Inclusion Network, which released a study Tuesday on help for the disabled. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        “People with disabilities are the biggest minority in the United States, but quite often their issues are the most marginalized,” said Neal Mayerson, president of the Inclusion Network. “We should be conscious of that because it's the type of population that anyone could join at anytime.”

        A study released by the group Tuesday revealed that at least half of the responding organizations had made building improvements to accommodate disabilities. But most still need to provide alternate means of communication for people with impairments in hearing or speech.

        That could include putting memos in Braille for blind workers or sign language interpreters at staff meetings for hearing-impaired employees.

        About 308 of 1,500 organizations that received the 300-question self-evaluation responded.

        Among the findings:

        • More than 50 percent of respondents think they exhibit a moderate degree of inclusiveness.

        • Sixty-five percent of the employers have at least one staff member with a disability.

        • Thirty-three percent of respondents said they provide alternate means of communication for those with hearing or speech impairments.

        The network estimates there are about 700,000 people with disabilities in Greater Cincinnati — or about 20 percent of the population.

        One concern is emergency exit procedures and rescue assistance. Many businesses and agencies don't have emergency procedures that accommodate all disabilities, said Peg Gutsell, co-director of the Inclusion Network.

More - and better - police in Luken's anti-crime plan
Adding police on back burner
City's gun lawsuit up to Ohio justices
Of bonfires and bonding
Adamowski says city schools rebounding
Board candidates compared
Ex-CIA man calls attacks opportunity
Guard may be at airport by Friday
Lawrenceburg in emergency
Loveland moves forward on YMCA
Survey: Help for disabled lacking
Town hall meetings: Where are the poor?
Tristate A.M. Report
Two area officers picked for award
SAMPLES: Ky.'s secret
HOWARD: Some good news
Court allegedly withheld tape
Mason hires principal
Monroe school proposal firmed up
Ohio man will take helm of Aryan Nations
Cabaret, restaurant launch Levee
Covington sees plans for water park
Lt. governor backs gun safety
N. Kentucky schools making their mark
N.Ky. raid a bum steer
Power plant gets OK
School to offer day care
Schools shine on new tests