General / ADA

Seeking VA Participants for
Partners in Policymaking Advocacy Training:
Deadline Extended to May 14

Recruitment of individuals with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities for the 2008-2009 Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' (VBPD) Partners in Policymaking (PIP) advocacy training program is currently underway.

Thornburgh Speaks Out

Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh talks about the ADA Restoration Act and the United Nations' Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

NCD: Improve Federal Disability Data

The National Council on Disability (NCD) released a report entitled Keeping Track: National Disability Status and Program Performance Indicators, calling on the Federal government to do more to improve federal data describing the status of Americans with disabilities.

Emergency Management Research

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) announced the release of a new online publication: Emergency Management Research and People With Disabilities: A Resource Guide. The guide provides a listing and description of research projects funded by the federal government and nonfederal entities, research recommendations that have come out of conferences on emergency management and disability, and a bibliography of relevant research publications.

"Workers with Disabilities
Must Be Part of Diversity Discussions,
Says EEOC Commish"

The workplace is where perceptions of people with disabilities will be changed, said Christine M. Griffin, commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), during her keynote address at NY HR Week on April 17. "Employers must look at individuals' talents, not impairments," she said.

"Return to Work 101:
Supervisors & Managers
Do They Help or Hurt Your Program?"

This article, posted by the American Chronicle, urges employers to train line supervisors and managers to deal effectively with return to work issues, and avoid litigation related to the ADA and workers' compensation laws.

New Tools Facilitate Return to Work
for People with Psychiatric Conditions

The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health produced Assessing and Treating Psychiatric Occupational Disability: New Behavioral Health Functional Assessment Tools Facilitate Return to Work. The report offers new process recommendations and functional assessment tools to speed recovery of function and return to work.

ACB Wins Victories
for People who are Blind:
Credit Reports
and Social Security Communications

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announced an agreement reached with the major credit reporting companies that will allow people who use screen reading software to access their credit reports online.

"You Are Us:
What Every Lawyer Needs to Know
about Representing Disabled Clients"

This article from the Oregon State Bar Bulletin offers information on ADA requirements, as well as ethical practices, for attorneys.

People with DD Living Longer

People with developmental disabilities are living longer for a number of reasons, including deinstitutionalization and improved access to health care services.

Welcoming Kids
of All Abilities in Community Life

"Paths to Inclusion" is a guide to help youth program leaders and volunteers make their organizations and programs more accessible.

"Bullycide: The Only Escape
for Some Brutalized Children with Disabilities"

This article, posted by The Cutting Edge, discusses the issue of children with disabilities who are victims of bullies.

"Maryland Selected To Participate
In State Leaders Innovation Institute"

Governor Martin O'Malley has announced that Maryland has been selected to participate in the first State Leaders Innovation Institute, a program sponsored by the National Technical Assistance and Research Leadership Center to Promote Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities.

"Wheelchair Mom Banished to Basement"
(Richmond, VA)

A parent who uses a wheelchair sat in the basement of her children's school while they performed upstairs. Antoinette Sweeney says she is sad and angry that she still can not participate in programs that take place in the auditorium.

"Accessibility lawsuits
target region's retail" (Pittsburgh, PA)

A Florida-based group representing people with disabilities filed four lawsuits against Pittsburgh-area retail properties, including Robinson Town Centre and The Mall at Robinson, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Assistive Technology / Information Technology

FCTD: Teachers and AT

The April issue of the Family Center on Technology and Disability newsletter features an interview with Dr. Sharon Judge of Old Dominion University. Dr. Judge studied 162 teacher preparation programs, looking at the ways in which they addressed, or did not address, assistive technology.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

"AFL-CIO urges
Bush administration not to "gut" FMLA"

The AFL-CIO called on the Bush Administration to drop its proposed changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as outlined in proposed amendments to the FMLA's regulations released in February by the Department of Labor (DOL).

"Sweeping Changes Debated
for Landmark Family and Medical Leave Act"

This article from the Washington Post outlines the debate shaping up in relation to the FMLA.

Housing

"Dream Deferred:
Fair Housing Act Turns 40"

Four decades after the passage of landmark federal legislation meant to eliminate race-based housing discrimination, the practice hasn't died - it's just evolved.

"Aid to Make Homes 'Accessible'"

This article from The Wall Street Journal discusses some of the ways people can get help with home modifications.

"Universal & Green"

This article from Eastside Business reports that Universal Design features enhance the value of a home.

Social Security

ACLU: Social Security
Delays of Disability Claims
Violate Due Process Rights

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposes two bills that it says will overburden Social Security Administration workers when the agency is already short staffed and dealing with a backlog that causes extensive delays of disability claims.

Comments, Surveys, and Studies

Study of Community Participation

If you have a sensory impairment and/or mobility impairment, you may be eligible to participate in a new research project. This research aims to understand what people with sensory and/or mobility impairments do in their daily lives, how their environments affect their community participation and what, if any, help they need to complete activities.

To be eligible, particpants must be between the ages of 18 and 75, live in the community, have access to a computer, be able to read at or above the 6th grade level, be able to enter responses into a web-based survey or direct another individual to enter responses into a web-based survey, and have either a mobility impairment, a visual impairment, or a hearing impairment.

Participants will receive either a personal check or a gift certificate to either Target or Walgreens.

Wireless RERC:
Survey of User Needs

The Survey of User Needs is about wireless products like cell phones and text messengers. The purpose of the survey is to learn about how people with disabilities use these products. It's also to learn about why some people with disabilities don't use these products. This information helps make wireless products easier to use for people of all ages and abilities.

The survey is conducted by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) for Wireless Technologies. The site also offers consumer resources related to wireless technologies, such as Your Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone.

Survey Seeks Input:
How Do You Use Technology?

The University of Illinois at Chicago is conducting a research project on how people with disabilities use technology to increase independence. Input is sought from people with developmental disabilities (over age 18), acquired brain injuries, or problems with memory, as well as from people who support them.

Survey Seeks Input:
Transition to Adult Health Care System
for People with Down Syndrome

The University of Virginia School of Medicine is conducting a research project to gain a better understanding of the experiences of individuals with Down Syndrome and their families with regard to the transition from pediatric primary care to adult primary care medicine. The purpose is to identify specific and practical ways in which primary care pediatricians and adult health providers can improve the transition process for their patients with Down Syndrome.

Seeking Participants
for Study on Built Environments

A research team at the State University of New York's School of Architecture and Planning is currently conducting a study of built environments' influences on the performance of routine activities. This study will examine three built environments: public buildings, public streets, and residential environments.

Mental Health America: Tell Your Story

Mental Health America invites people who experience mental illnesses to share their stories and help reduce the stigma that keeps people from getting care and perpetuates misunderstanding about those affected by mental health disorders.

"Nearly New" News

Succeeding in College and at Work:
Students with Disabilities Tell Their Stories

The DBTAC: New England ADA Center and No Limits Media released four fresh and informative videos. In these videos, college students with disabilities share strategies they used to succeed in staying in school, graduate, and land jobs. Students discuss the issues of self-reporting and negotiating accommodations in school and at work. The videos can be viewed online; DVDs are also available.

DC: New Office on Disability Rights

The Office of Disability Rights (ODR) is up an running in the District of Columbia. ODR is responsible for oversight of the District's obligations under the ADA as well as other federal and local disability rights laws. The office will be providing compliance assistance and training to DC government agencies, as well as investigating citizens' complaints.

Community Members Sought
for the DC Commission
on Persons with Disabilities

Mayor Adrian Fenty recently created the DC Commission on Persons with Disabilities, and the Office of Boards and Commissions is now seeking applicants for membership on the Commission.

DC Olmstead Planning Council Seeks Members

The District of Columbia Olmstead Planning Council is seeking participation from consumers, parents, guardians and other caregivers, government officials, advocates and representatives from the provider community to help formulate a plan for the District to ensure that services for people with disabilities are provided in the most integrated community settings appropriate. Interested parties should contact Derek K. Orr, the Deputy Director of the DC Office of Disability Rights, or call 202-727-8005.

Legal Rights
of Individuals with Hearing Loss

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) published a guide entitled "Hearing Solutions –– Legal Rights Guide for Individuals with Hearing Loss." The guide, written by an attorney who practices in the area of employment law, discusses the ADA and other relevant laws, such as the Telecommunications Act.

DREDF Urges Support
of OTRB Transportation Accessibility Act

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) urges support for H.R. 3985, The Over-the-Road Bus (OTRB) Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007. This bill is intended to address private intercity bus companies without stations, known as curbside carriers, by requiring the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the office at DOT that licenses and regulates privately-operated bus carriers, to fully consider ADA compliance when it grants and revokes operating authority to passenger motor carriers.

AAPD Posts Restoration Act Info

The American Association of People with Disabilities has a web page dedicated to the ADA Restoration Act, including links to the proposed bills, a summary, and various advocacy efforts in support of, or opposed to, the passage of the Act.

2008 Presidential Election Information

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is hosting a page on their web site to provide information about the presidential hopefuls and their positions on disability related issues.

TEITAC Presents Report
on Updated 508 Standards

The Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC) presented its report on updating accessibility criteria for information and communication technologies. The report recommends revisions to the standards for electronic and information technology covered by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines for telecommunications products under section 255 of the Telecommunication Act.

Accessible Sidewalk Videos
Now Available Online

A series of videos on sidewalk accessibility previously available on DVD can now be viewed through the U.S. Access Board's website. Accessible Sidewalks is a four-part video developed by the Board to illustrate issues and considerations in the design of sidewalks. The series covers access for pedestrians with mobility impairments, including those who use wheelchairs, and pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. The videos are open captioned and incorporate running descriptive audio.

New Guide Published
on Rights-of-Way Alterations

Accessible Public Rights-of-Way: Planning and Designing for Alterations explains how to maximize accessibility in the course of alterations through careful planning, an understanding of current regulations and access criteria, and strategies for negotiating constraints.

Access Board:
Supplementary Information
to ADA and ABA Guidelines

The U.S. Access Board added supplementary information on its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) guidelines. This information, which does not affect the substance of the guidelines, provides information on the adoption of enforceable standards, including effective dates, for new ADA standards adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and updated ABA standards implemented by the General Services Administration and the U.S. Postal Service.

DOJ: ADA Best Practices Tool Kit
for State and Local Governments

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a new technical assistance document designed to assist state and local officials to improve compliance with the ADA.

Hospitals and Effective Communication

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the American Hospital Association, has announced a new national initiative to provide technical assistance and share resources to help hospitals communicate effectively with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals or those who have limited English proficiency.

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©2008 DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center