Summer 2011 Newsletter: Affiliate News

Delaware’s Disability Community Gathers Together for Annual Conference

The thirteenth annual LIFE Conference was held on January 19, 2011 in Dover, Delaware. LIFE stands for Liberty and Independence For Everyone. It serves as an annual information exchange developed by key Delaware consumer-focused organizations that serve persons with disabilities and their families. Sponsors include key state agencies such as the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council, Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, and the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens as well as private agencies such as Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Mid-Atlantic ADA Center affiliate United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Inc.

The conference opened with an address from Kim E. Musheno , Director of Legislative Affairs, Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Participants could visit exhibits sponsored by various agencies from around the state and attend breakout sessions with four different topic tracks: Legislation, Independence through Assistive Technology, Family and Education.

ADA Training for Virginia Parks and Recreation Society

In February, Virginia ADA Coalition trainer Kelly Gonzalez provided training for the Virginia Parks and Recreation Society on what the new ADA Title II and Title III regulations mean for parks and recreation programs. Participants were interested in learning the updated information on service animals, providing accommodations in child care, after school and recreation programs for students with disabilities, and providing access to undeveloped areas and outdoor trails.

Department of Justice – ADA Regional Mediation Highlights

In Virginia, two people who use wheelchairs complained that a hotel was inaccessible. The hotel modified guest rooms by removing curbs in roll-in showers and installing grab bars and sinks with knee clearance; reduced the opening force of the pocket door to the bathroom in one accessible guest room; installed a king-size bed in another accessible guest room; acquired portable shower seats that can be secured in place; and lowered grab bars and installed accessible dispensers and coat hooks in the public restrooms.

A person who uses a wheelchair alleged that a Washington, D.C., hotel failed to provide an accessible guest room; even though the hotel assured him that the room he reserved would be accessible.

The hotel conducted an onsite evaluation of its accessible guest rooms and modified each room to ensure accessibility by widening bathroom doors and installing grab bars.

A person who uses a wheelchair complained that a Washington, D.C., hotel failed to provide him safe egress from the building during a fire alarm. The hotel adopted a policy with detailed procedures for the emergency evacuation of guests with disabilities, including assigning specific evacuation duties to individual staff members, providing ongoing two-way communication among assigned staff during emergencies, requiring staff training four times per year, and conducting mock evacuation drills two times per year.

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or these agreements and mediations can call the toll-free DOJ ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY), or access the DOJ ADA website opens a new window

You may also contact your local ADA Center at 1-800-949-4232 V/TTY.