ADA In Focus: Summer 2010

Volume 14, Number 3
Summer 2010

ADA IN FOCUS is published three times yearly by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. It is also available by request in large print, Braille, audio CD, and computer disk.

To obtain copies in print or other formats, contact:
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
Voice/TTY (in DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV): 1-800-949-4232
Voice/TTY (local): 301-217-0124
Fax: 301-217-0754
Email: adainfo@transcen.org
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 700
Rockville, MD 20850

[NOTE: This page contains internal links to help you navigate the newsletter content.]

In this issue

• 20 Years of Reflections
• Federal Agency Websites
• Affiliate News
  • Civil Rights Walk and Roll
• 20th Anniversary Events in the Mid-Atlantic Region
• What’s New
  • Ask JAN
  • Justin Dart to be Honored
  • Countdown: 100 Days to the ADA
  • Justice Department Releases New Video
• Court Decisions
  • EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Settled With Hospital Employer
  • Department of Justice ADA Mediation Highlights
• Training News & Events
• Cool Websites 

20 Years of the ADA - Reflections

by Marian Vessels, Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Reflections of the Past
20th Anniversary of the ADA! Hard to believe it has been 20 years. It does not seem that long ago that I was sitting at the signing ceremony with 3,000 others at the largest bill signing ceremony in U.S. history. So large that it had to be held outside on the White House lawn with the typical hot, humid weather for which the Washington area is notorious. The crowd was an amazing assortment of people from all over the country and with all types of disabilities. The atmosphere was electric with the sense that something incredible was happening. It was the beginning of comprehensive civil rights for people with disabilities. It was significant not only here in the United States, but all over the world. The ADA had a dramatic impact on the rights of people with disabilities through its influence on the international community. It raised awareness and inspired the passage of similar legislation in countries around the world.

The ADA is a civil rights law, and its intent was to continue to keep the United States on the path of equality for all Americans, a path first highlighted by the founders of our country. The guiding principles that began with "all people are created equal" certainly continue to be the cornerstone of the ADA as we mark the 20th Anniversary of the ADA. This was the first broad-based civil rights law for people with disabilities that applied to private businesses, employers, and state and local government. There really are no words to describe the sense of hope and joy for those in the audience on that historic day. This was the first 4th of July for people with disabilities!

I can’t help but reflect on the significance of that day, and the struggle that was fought by many of those present at the signing of the ADA into law. The disability rights movement grew in the early 1970s as a result of the need for anti-discrimination protections and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. It was a grassroots effort lead by people with disabilities. It was a time in our history rich with challenges as well as successes. The disability community recognized the need for their voices to be heard as they advocated for equal protection under the law. The passage of the ADA tells the story of how a dedicated group of individuals, with an important cause, worked relentlessly to keep the issues surrounding individuals with disabilities in front of the Administration, the courts, and the media. The disability community mobilized around the need for civil rights protections. The late Justin Dart, Chair of the Congressional Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of People with Disabilities, held public forums in every state in the country to educate people with disabilities about the ADA. These events were attended by thousands of people with and without disabilities. It was the goal of the disability community to demonstrate to Congress and to the American people the importance of the passage of the ADA. After decades dedicated to fighting for the rights of disabled Americans that goal was finally realized. In 1990 the ADA was signed into law. The collective voices of those advocating for the passage of the ADA had been heard and the disability community was now legally protected from the discrimination they had confronted in the past.

Reflections of the Present
Now, twenty years later the disability community, as well as those that advocate for individuals with disabilities, are celebrating. After twenty years there have been many successes and challenges to the civil rights of people with disabilities. Thanks to the ADA, individuals with disabilities have gained access to facilities, public and private transportation, public and private services, telecommunications, public rights of way, and businesses. Prior to this time access was either non-existent or inconsistently made available by these entities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, public services provided by state and local governments, public services operated by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications.

Reflections of the Future  
What will the next 20 years look like? Although it is difficult to predict, there are some real signs of change. We are on the brink of having major revisions to the ADA which will require another intense wave of education. The ADA will take on a new face with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). President George W. Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) on September 28, 2008, which became effective January 1, 2009. The purpose of the Amendments Act was to raise awareness about the court’s interpretation of the ADA. The ADA defines "disability" as a "physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual." The basic definition remains unchanged, but the "rules of construction" incorporated into the ADAAA direct the courts to adopt less-restrictive interpretations of key terms. The ADAAA makes it easier for an individual alleging discrimination based on disability to establish that he or she meets the ADA’s definition of "disability." The ADA Amendments Act also modifies the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination in the federal government on the basis of disability. The ADAAA and the proposed regulations are the result of a collaborative effort of the disability community and the business community.

The Department of Justice regulations, which will provide new standards for physical access and changes in policy, are about to be released. These regulations are purported to bring changes that will please and concern both people with disabilities and the business community.

The number of Americans with one or more physical or mental disabilities is large and growing. This is partly due to our aging population. As individuals reach their 60s and 70s the incidence of disability rises sharply. However, the disability community is diverse in its representation, and the ADA exists to protect all of the approximately 54 million Americans with disabilities from discrimination. The passage of the ADA 20 years ago is reason for celebration. It is important to celebrate our successes over the past 20 years, successes that President George H.W. Bush predicted during the signing of the ADA in 1990 as he said; "With today’s signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, every man woman and child with a disability can now pass through once closed doors, into a bright new era of equality, independence and freedom." Twenty years ago the passage of this comprehensive federal law requiring equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities offered the disability community protection from discrimination. Those with disabilities were promised equality, independence and freedom. Many positive changes have taken place as a result of the ADA. As we celebrate 20 years of the ADA on July 26, 2010, it is also important to reflect upon the work that still remains to be done. We need to continue to address those areas where we fall short in the equal treatment of all Americans. The ADA offers the hope of a future where the disability community will always have equal opportunities. Let’s unite in the cause of equality, independence and freedom. Let’s embrace the ADAAA as yet one more opportunity to continue the growth of civil rights for Americans with disabilities.

Ms. Vessels is Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. Serving in this role since 1996, she has been responsible for the daily operation of the center, as well as acting as liaison with ADA and disability coalitions in the six-state Mid-Atlantic Region (MD, VA, PA, DE, WV, DC). Among her primary areas of expertise are training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to employment and public access issues. She is in considerable demand as a speaker and trainer and has traveled the country providing consultation on disability legislation and policy.

Prior to joining the TransCen staff, Ms. Vessels was the Executive Director of the Maryland Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities. She was a Senior Health Educator for the Baltimore City Health Department for nine years. She has served as an Executive Board Member for the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Parents’ Place of Maryland. Ms. Vessels also has had a gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council, of which she was chair.

She received an Honorary Doctorate from Towson University, and has received numerous awards for her commitment to disability issues and health education.

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Federal Agency Websites

There are several federal agencies that individuals may consult regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. We have listed a few of those agencies below for your reference. Each federal agency has unique responsibilities related to the enforcement of the ADA.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces Title I (Employment) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visit the EEOC Web site for information on your employment rights and employer responsibilities under the ADA.  

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces Title II (public services provided by state and local government) and Title III (public accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may link to technical assistance publications, status reports, and recent settlement agreements. Information on filing an ADA-related complaint is also available.  

U.S Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)
The U.S. Access Board is the designated federal agency responsible for developing accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Architectural Barriers Act and Rehabilitation Act.  

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
The U.S. Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the U.S. Access Board, develops standards for transportation vehicles under the ADA.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC address all types of consumer-related matters - from answering questions and responding to consumer complaints, to distributing consumer education materials and assuring consumer input in their policy making activities.

Affiliate News

Civil Rights Walk and Roll : A Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the ADA
Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, and Delaware Coalition for Americans with Disabilities Act (DCADA) in collaboration with other agencies and supporters of the ADA. The event is a "Civil Rights Walk and Roll" and will take place on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, DE on July 26, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.. The local radio station, WAFL/97.7, will broadcast live from the beach bandstand with radio personality Gary John. The event will start with a welcome and a brief overview of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. Gary John will then introduce Mariam Nabi for the singing the National Anthem. Following the National Anthem there will be several speakers: Lt. Governor Matt Denn will offer brief remarks on the ADA, Daniese McMullin-Powell, Delaware State Independent Living Council chair, will give the audience an overview of the history of the ADA, and Brian Hancock, a resident of Rehoboth Beach will give a speech about how DCADA and the Mid-Atlantic Center assisted him with an ADA accessibility concern. The "Walk and Roll" will continue throughout the bandstand events and people may come back as they please to take part in the activities and listen to the speeches. In addition to the speeches, there will be many activities including an ADA Trivia Quiz and ADA Scavenger Hunt. Prizes will be given throughout the day, and include a one night stay at a Rehoboth Beach Condo that is ADA accessible! There will also be plenty of giveaways for people who are joining in the event, including ADA sewing kits, water bottles, pens and pencils, magnets, book markers and ADA booklets on basic ADA Q & A and disability rights. The first 200 people to register to join us at the event will receive a tee shirt! The logo for the tee shirt was designed by a University of Delaware student. During the event the student will be recognize with a small prize. We expect this to be a very popular event, so please call right away to register. You may contact Carma L. Carpenter at (302) 335-5626 or Marge Turner at (302) 764-2400 for more information. We hope you will join us for our "Walk and Roll" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ADA, a civil rights law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. For more information, visit the United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware website, additional information will be posted on the local radio station site.

State ADA Coalitions

Maryland
Voice/TTY: (800)949-4232
Email: adainfo@transcen.org

Washington, D.C.
Voice: (202)889-5802
TTY: (202)889-0866
Email: cfleming@dccil.org

Delaware
Voice: (302)335-5626
Email: carpent487@aol.com
Voice: (302)764-2400
Email: mturner1@ucpde.org

West Virginia
Voice/TTY: (800)946-9471
Email: ADAcoalition@msn.com

Virginia
Voice: (757)461-8007
TTY: (757)461-7527
Email: kgonzalez@endependence.org

Pennsylvania
Voice: (570)327-9070
TTY: (570)327-5254
Email: communityorganizer@cilncp.org

State Assistive Technology Programs

Maryland
Voice: (800)832-4827 V or
TTY: (866)881-7488
Website: MD Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP)

Washington, D.C.
Voice: (202)547-0198
TTY: (202)547-2657
Website: Assistive Technology Program

Delaware
Voice/TTY: (800)870-3284
Website: Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative

West Virginia
Voice: (800)841-8436
TTY: (800)518-1448
Website: Center for Excellence in Disabilities

Virginia
Voice/TTY: (800)552-5019
Website: Virginia Assistive Technology System

Pennsylvania
Voice: (800)204-7428
TTY: (866)268-0579
Website: Institute of Disabilities at Temple University

20th Anniversary News & Events

ADA 20th Anniversary Events in the Mid-Atlantic Region Honoring the 20th Anniversary of the passage of the ADA

ADA 2010 Commemoration Conference

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
July 24, 2010

Planned by Roads to Freedom, Center for Independent Living of North Central Pennsylvania, the ADA Commemoration Conference will feature a full day’s agenda and special guest speaker Richard Pimentel, noted authority on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Topics include: What does the ADA Amendment Act mean for employers?, Challenges and opportunities for employers hiring people with disabilities, integrating veterans back into the workplace, and implications of the ADA for service providers and persons with disabilities. For more information, call 1-800-984-7492 Voice, 1-866-842-5426 TTY, or 1-866-790-3708 VRS/VP.

West Virginia Disability Caucus

Charleston, West Virginia
July 26-28, 2010

West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council and a coalition of other organizations are sponsoring the 2010 West Virginia Disability Caucus. This year’s event has a special focus on the 20th Anniversary of the ADA. Three days of activities include a celebration of the anniversary on the evening of July 26 with food, music and speakers who will share their thoughts and memories on the passage and implementation of the ADA. For more information call 1-800-642-8207, ext. 4624 or 304766-4624.

Northern Virginia 20th Anniversary Activities

Loudoun ENDependence (LEND) and ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) are hosting several events in the Northern Virginia area: Disability Resource Fair, July 17, Disability Cinema, in partnership with the Loudoun County Public Library System, each Saturday beginning July 17, and an ADA Anniversary Gala, Saturday, July 24 at the Dulles Washington Marriott. For additional information call 571-291-9550 V/Relay.

Maryland Department of Disabilities

Baltimore, Maryland
July 26, 2010

Activities to honor the 20th Anniversary of the ADA will be held at the Historic Warehouse at Camden Yards and will take place from 3PM - 6PM.

20th Anniversary of the ADA Civil Rights Walk and Roll

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
July 26, 2010

Sponsored by Delaware Coalition for the Americans with Disabilities Act, this event will take place on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Speakers include Lt. Governor Matt Denn and Delaware State Independent Living Council chair Daniese McMullin-Powell. A local radio station, 97.7 WAFL, will be broadcasting live from the bandstand. For more information, contact Carma L. Carpenter, DCADA Coordinator at (302) 335-5626.

Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s Walk ‘n Roll for Living Well

City Island, Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, July 24, 2010

A community celebration of the ADA and a walk to benefit the Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s Living Well With a Disability Fitness Centers. The walk will be three laps around City Island. There will also be music, vendor tables, prizes, a proclamation made in honor of the ADA and more. The registration fee is $25. Your registration fee entitles you to a t-shirt, goodie bag, lunch and entrance into raffles.

On July 26, 2010 there will be many celebrations to honor the 20th anniversary of the passage of the ADA. In this issue we have listed some of the activities that will be taking place in the Mid-Atlantic region, but we invite you to check our special anniversary webpage for additional activities in our region by visiting our 20th Anniversary page.

What's New

Ask JAN

If you have questions about workplace accommodations the Job Accommodation Network’s (JAN) recently redesigned website is the place to go. JAN is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities improve their chances of becoming successfully employed and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. Ask JAN and get answers to questions about the ADA, accommodations, and tax incentives for businesses and more. JAN also provides assistance via phone at (800) 526-7234 (Voice) or (877) 781-9403 (TTY). For more information about job accommodations please visit the Ask JAN website.

Justin Dart to be Honored in Recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the ADA

Matrix Theatre Company, located in Michigan, is creating a new Giant Hero Puppet to memorialize Justin Dart, the disability rights activist who advanced the cause of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA became law in July 1990, and the hero puppet will be ready to mark the Act’s 20th anniversary. "'Lead on! We love you,' Dart’s famous quote, is recognized still as both a call to action and a reminder that in the struggle against oppression and the movement toward equity..[that] all things are possible and the resultant change will be powerful, positive and worth the effort," said Dan Wilkins, advocate for people with disabilities.

"The notion that any one person is the single cause of any significant social change -that Abraham Lincoln alone freed the slaves -is a devastating stereotype which robs individuals of responsibility and credit, and actually inhibits social change. You can be a revolution of one. In your living room, in your family, in your community," said Dart, when the 10th anniversary of the ADA was marked by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Following its debut in June, the puppet will be headed to Chicago to appear in the Seventh Annual Disability Pride Parade on July 24, 2010. For more information please visit the Matrix Theatre Company website.

Countdown: 100 Days to the ADA

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." With these words penned by George Bernard Shaw, Disability.gov will introduce you to 100 Days to the ADA, a countdown to the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The official countdown began on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Since that time, Disability.gov has explored one of our nation’s most important civil rights achievements, including examining the ramifications of the ADA, historical points leading up to its creation and how supporting the rights of individuals with disabilities supports ALL Americans. Check back every day for a new post on Disability.Blog, as well as to look at the previous posts!

Justice Department Releases Video

The Justice Department has released a new video aimed at educating employers about the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ten Employment Myths: Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act uses a question-and-answer format to express common misconceptions, fears and false assumptions that many employers have about employees with disabilities. The video refutes these unfounded myths, explains the ADA in common sense terms, and highlights the advantages of hiring qualified persons with disabilities. This fully accessible seventeen-minute video can be used for ADA training as well as for presentation to local Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, merchants associations, and similar organizations. Single copies in DVD format can be ordered through the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY). An online streaming version is available on the ADA web site.

Court Decisions

EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Settled With Hospital Employer

Former Operation Room Scrub Technician Receives $100,000.

St. John Health System, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma will pay $100,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (EEOC). They had charged that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to reasonably accommodate a hearing-impaired operating room scrub technician.

According to the EEOC’s suit, LaQuita Reherman had been employed by St. John for almost six years when she was removed from her scrub technician position after several physicians complained about her being hard of hearing. She wears hearing aids in both ears, according to the EEOC, but would have been able to hear doctors’ instructions adequately if it were not for their practice of playing loud music in the operating room. These disturbances, coupled with her hearing impairment, caused the problems, the EEOC said.

Disability discrimination violates the ADA, which requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees’ disabilities as long as this does not pose an undue hardship on the business. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement. Under the terms of the consent decree, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, St. John agreed to pay LaQuita Reherman $100,000 in damages. The company also agreed to provide disability discrimination training to all management and supervisory employees and to report all requests for reasonable accommodation to the EEOC for the next three years.

The case is EEOC and Reherman v. St. John Health System, Inc., 09CV624 GKF-TLW.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Department of Justice ADA Mediation Highlights

The ADA Mediation Program is a Department of Justice sponsored initiative intended to resolve ADA complaints in an efficient, voluntary manner. Mediation cases are initiated upon referral by the Department when both the complainant and the respondent agree to participate. The program uses professional mediators who are trained in the legal requirements of the ADA and has proven effective in resolving complaints at less cost and in less time than traditional investigations or litigation. Over 78% of all complaints mediated on behalf of the DOJ have been resolved successfully.

In this issue, we highlight complaints against health care providers and hospitals that have been successfully mediated.

In Virginia, an individual whose daughter has Asperger’s Syndrome and an anxiety disorder complained that, after using a dentist for three years, the dentist informed her that he was implementing a "behavior management" fee charged to patients who required additional time. The dentist agreed to stop charging the fee and to place a sign in his office indicating that the office does not discriminate. Finally, the dentist wrote a letter of apology to the complainant’s daughter, paid $500 to the complainant, and donated $500 to an autism center.

In Florida, an individual with a mobility disability complained that she was denied access to a mental health hospital because she uses a service animal for balance. The hospital changed its policy and developed procedures to allow service animals to accompany individuals throughout the facility.  

A Maryland doctor who had refused to pay for a qualified sign language interpreter for a patient’s office visit agreed to institute a policy for hiring interpreters and notifying deaf patients that sign language interpretation will be provided on request at no cost to deaf patients. The doctor also agreed to train office staff about effective communication with patients with hearing impairments.

In West Virginia, an individual who is deaf complained that a mental health facility refused to provide a sign language interpreter for an appointment. The facility changed its policy and developed new procedures for providing effective communication, including the provision of sign language interpreters for patients upon request. The facility also compiled a list of qualified sign language interpreters, trained current staff, and will train new employees on the new policies, as well as the ADA.

From the Department of Justice's Disability Rights Online News

Training News & Events

Return on Investment: The Business Case for Accessibility

July 14, 2010
Webinar Conference Series sponsor by the National Network of ADA Centers

This session will discuss the myths surrounding accessibility and demonstrate how accessibility benefits a wide range of people. Participants will be able to make a business case for the investment in accessibility. The speaker is Frances West; Director of the IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center. In 2005, Frances was nominated to be on the Board of Directors of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and of the Assistive Technology Industry Association. Ms. West was invited to testify on behalf of the IT industry at a U.S. Senate hearing on the impact of accessibility open standards on the European Union. In 2006, she spoke at the UN e-Accessibility Conference in New York City, an UN International Day of Disabled Persons event.

NCIL 2010 Annual Conference on Independent Living

July 14 - 22, 2010
Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C.

20 Years of the ADA: The Fight Goes On! This July, the National Center for Independent Living will celebrate the future the ADA is working toward: a day when our brothers and sisters breathe the free air outside institutions, regain the strength of independence, and bring down "the shameful wall of exclusion" once and for all! This year’s annual conference, 20 Years of the ADA: The Fight Goes On! is designed to provide the tools to do just that. The weeklong conference will be an opportunity to reinforce the resolve that will be needed during the coming years. This July the message will be brought to Capitol Hill: Freedom! Now!

Maryland Youth Leadership Forum

July 20 - 23, 2010
Bowie State University, MD

The 2010 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a unique career and leadership program that provides high school students with disabilities training, mentors and exposure to successful adults with disabilities has been scheduled for the week of July 20 - 23, 2010 at Bowie State University. Open to students in their final two years of high school, YLF is an opportunity for young people with disabilities to attend an intensive forum emphasizing leadership, independence and personal and career goal setting. The forum will also provide information on the history of disability rights. For more information, contact Kim Wilhelm, Maryland Youth Leadership Forum Coordinator, at Independence Now.

ADA Update: 20th Anniversary of the ADA

July 20, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series sponsor by the National Network of ADA Centers

Mark the historic 20th anniversary of the ADA by joining this audio conference as we listen to representatives of the Federal Agencies present an update on their litigation, technical assistance, and enforcement efforts over the past year. Additionally they will offer highlights of accomplishments over the past 20 years. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community.

The EEOC and the ADA

August 4, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series sponsor by the National Network of ADA Centers

Employers and people with disabilities frequently have questions about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s role in interpreting and enforcing Title I of the ADA. This session will provide participants with a clear understanding of the EEOC’s administrative process, including work share agreements, mediation, investigations, and case selection, as well as an update on the EEOC’s ADA litigation.

Vehicle Guideline Update

August 5, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series sponsors: the Access Board and the National Network of ADA Centers

The Access Board originally issued its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for transportation vehicles in 1991. Since that time, new technologies and vehicles have been introduced into public transportation. This session will review proposed updates to the ADA guidelines specifically for buses and vans. Subsequent rulemaking will be undertaken to update requirements for rail cars and other types of vehicles covered by the guidelines.

Advanced Employment Seminar

August 12, 2010
Crowne Plaza, Rockville, Maryland
sponsor: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

The ADA’s application to employment situations is one of the most complex issues managers, supervisors, HR professionals and ADA Coordinators face. Chris Kuczynski from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will address a variety of employment situations for professional staff dealing with advanced employment issues. This full day seminar will offer you the opportunity to have your more complex employee issues addressed by one of the top ADA lawyers at the EEOC. Topics will include: the recently enacted ADA Amendments Act, the definition of disability, reasonable accommodations (including the interactive process, and undue hardship), disability-related questions, medical exams and confidentiality, and direct threat in the workplace.

ADA & After School and Daycare Programs for Children with Disabilities

August 12, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series
sponsor: the National Network of ADA Centers

Parents of children with disabilities are often faced with limited choices when it comes to locating appropriate after school and daycare programs to meet the needs of their children. Many daycare and after school providers are reticent about accepting children with disabilities into their programs based on the fear that they are not able to provide the child with the services that they need, they don’t have the "specialized " staff that may be needed, unfounded fear that the cost of serving a child with a disability is too great or a general bias against serving individuals with disabilities. Join the speakers as they discuss best practices in day care and after school programs for serving children with disabilities and resources that are available to assist providers and parents.

Accessible Airport Terminals

September 2, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series
sponsor: the Access Board and the National Network of ADA Centers

The Access Board is developing design guidance and best practices on access to airports, a frequent source of complaints by travelers with disabilities. This session will review information collected to date on solutions to common access issues in airport terminals. This session will focus on areas of special concern such as accessible passenger loading zones, self-service ticketing kiosks, security checkpoints, boarding bridges and devices, signage, counters, communication systems, and service animal relief areas.

Creating Accessible Videos for Your Website

September 8, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series
Sponsor: the National Network of ADA Centers

Video has become a common means of sharing information about everyday activities and events. Yet, this technology remains largely inaccessible to people with sensory impairments. While there are tools available to facilitate the creation of accessible video content the availability and use of these tools is not widely known and/or understood. This session will review the key features of an accessible video, steps to consider when planning and developing accessible video content and demonstrate how it can be utilized. Speaker: Marsha S. Schwanke, Web Developer, CTRS, has eight years experience designing, programming, testing and managing content-rich, database-driven web applications that maximize accessibility and usability based on "best practices" research and established guidelines, such as the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508.

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center: Annual ADA Update Conference

September 16 - 17, /2010
Hilton Baltimore BWI, Baltimore, Maryland
Sponsor: the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center invites everyone to attend the 17th annual ADA Update. This session is designed to help individuals stay current with government and regional practices and policies pertaining to people with disabilities. This year’s expanded format will include a choice of 3 pre-session topics, 3 separate breakout sessions with a choice of 9 topics, and our popular "Federal Panel" featuring representatives of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Federal Transit Authority, and the U. S. Access Board. Detailed information will be available on our website.

Corrections and the ADA: Balancing the Rights of People with Disabilities While Incarcerated

September 21, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series
Sponsor: the National Network of ADA Centers

Studies show that a large number of individuals within the prison system are people with disabilities. The literature discusses how the various systems serving incarcerated individuals have historically treated people with disabilities as second class citizens and ignored their rights to equal access whether it is access to medical care, the removal of physical barriers or provision of effective communication. This session will explore the strides that have been made within the corrections community to address the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Litigation under the ADA Amendments Act

September 29, 2010
Webinar and Audio Conference Series
Sponsor: the National Network of ADA Centers

The passage of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) sought to change the narrow interpretations by courts of the definition of disability. But what has been the real impact of the ADAAA? This session will analyze the initial case decisions interpreting the provisions of the ADAAA and its regulations, and identify any emerging trends.

For information on these and other ADA and disability-related training events go to the "Trainings" page.

Cool Websites

Closing the Gap

This website focuses on computer and assistive technology for people with special needs through its bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference and extensive web site.

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division enforces federal statutes that protect the civil rights of all individuals and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion and national origin. Established in 1957, the Division has played an important role in many of our nation’s battles to advance civil rights including assuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to services. You can watch a new American Sign Language (ASL) You Tube Video on how the U.S. Department of Justice is working to support the rights of people with disabilities.

2010 National Disability Employment Awareness Month

"Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers with Disabilities" was announced as the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment The theme serves to inform the public that workers with disabilities represent a diverse pool for hire. By announcing the theme early, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Policy is giving communities and organizations ample time to plan events and "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" was started in 1945. Although it has undergone several date changes and name alterations, the month is still dedicated to promoting the employment and advancement of disabled workers.

About the Publication

ADA IN FOCUS is published three times yearly by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. It is posted to the web on the "ADA In Focus Newsletter" page. It is also available by request in large print, Braille, audio CD, and computer disk.

Richard G. Luecking, President
Marian Vessels, Project Director
Karen Goss, Assistant Director
Maynor Guillen, Information Specialist
David Stewart, Information Specialist
Del Rae Conley, Office Manager
Barbara Van Dyke, Training & Administrative Specialist

TransCen, Inc. is a Rockville, Maryland based non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. TransCen administers the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, providing information and training on the American with Disabilities Act to DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, and WV.

This is a publication of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Dept. of Ed. (Grant # H133A060085). The opinions contained in this publication are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Education.

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Email: adainfo@transcen.org
© 2010 TransCen, Inc.

ADA In Focus is intended for use by individuals, state and local governments, businesses, legal entities, and others interested in developments in the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication is intended solely as an informal guidance and should not be construed as legally binding. ADA In Focus does not serve as determination of the legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA for any individual, business or entity.