Summer 2011 Newsletter: What's New

ICC Publishes Updated Accessibility Standard

The International Code Council (ICC) released an updated edition of the Accessibility Standard earlier this year. This latest version (ICC A117.1-2009: Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities) includes changes and additions, including a new chapter on recreation facilities, for greater consistency with the Access Board’s ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines. The revised standards also clarify requirements for dwelling units and add new provisions for home visit-ability, address variable message signs, and amend provisions for components of accessible routes, plumbing fixtures, and other elements. The standards provide technical criteria for accessibility and are referenced by scoping provisions in the International Building Code.

Enforcing the ADA: A Status Report from the Department of Justice

This Status Report covers the ADA activities of the Department of Justice during the first quarter (January -March) of 2010. This report, previous status reports, and a wide range of other ADA information, including the consent decrees and formal settlement agreements mentioned in this report, are available through the Department’s ADA website opens a new window .

New Service Animals Publication

The ADA National Network has published a new booklet: Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: Where are they allowed and under what conditions? This guide provides an overview of how major federal civil rights laws govern the rights of a person requiring a service animal.

Achieving Transit Access: An Action Guide

This guide presents a step-by-step process that any group across the United States can use to negotiate with transit agencies to achieve ADA compliance. It provides practical, straightforward suggestions on how to organize an action coalition, conduct research, prepare documentation, develop strategies, host meetings, file FTA and DOJ complaints, hold a public forum, use the media, stage a peaceful protest and file a class action lawsuit. The guide is complemented with a case study highlighting Jackson, Mississippi where transit riders with disabilities and an Independent Living Center joined forces to resolve an inaccessible transit situation in their community. This campaign culminated with a class action lawsuit, Crawford et al. v. City of Jackson Public Transportation System (JATRAN). Group of three office workers, one female, two males - one of which is a wheelchair user

May 2011 Disability Employment Statistics Released

In May 2011, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.1. By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was 69.7. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 15.6 percent, compared with 8.5 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted. Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to retrieve historical disability employment data.