DEC Access

More than 42 million Americans – 18% of our population – has a disability.


If you are a business owner, each of these individuals is a potential customer. In order for these individuals to become a customer, they must be able to access your business. Unfortunately, many local businesses are not accessible to people with disabilities. 


In order to help local businesses and restaurants understand how they can become more accessible for individuals with disabilities, the Disability Empowerment Center offers our DEC Access program.

Contact Us

One of our core services is community Advocacy and we offer a variety of services and programs that help us to raise awareness, break down barriers and create change in our community

Accessibility Workshop and Training Session

For a small fee/donation, our ADA Educator and Outreach Specialist will visit your business and facilitate our Accessibility Workshop and Training Session. The session will guide you into making your business more accessible. And, if you’d like to take it further and become ADA Approved, we’ll help you understand the steps to get there.

Following the workshop/training session, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and be included on our list of DEC Access businesses on our website and social media sites.

We also offer Accessibility Workshops and Trainings at our office.  Click here to contact us for upcoming workshops or more information about holding a workshop at your business.

About DEC and Interpreting

The Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) is the Center for Independent Living (CIL) for people with diverse disabilities in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Established in 2002, DEC is a private, nonprofit, nonresidential organization run by and for people with disabilities. We dedicate our efforts to attaining equal opportunity and full participation of people with diverse disabilities in all aspects of life in our community. DEC provides free and confidential services that prioritize self determination, consumer control and personal choice to individuals of all ages, and with all types of disabilities. Through all of our individual and collective efforts, we work to eliminate barriers, ensure access, protect civil rights, and effect positive social change.

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