What's New
Whether you are a novice or an "old hand," if you work in the areas of disability advocacy, accessibility, or architectural design, these workshops are for you!
Level I (Introductory): February 23 - 25, 2010
Level II (Advanced): April 6 - 8, 2010
Download additional information and registration
Mental Health and Employment
Rockville, MD
March 11th, 2010
This Training will feature speakers from the Job Accommodations Network (JAN), and the DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center; who will review the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employment provisions and discuss the implications for applicants and employees with mental health limitations.
February 1, 2010 Bulletin
We post our bi-weekly bulletin here on the "What's New" page, to keep you up to date on disability-related resources, news, and other items of interest. This information is being provided solely for non-commercial, nonprofit educational purposes, including news reporting and research. It is not intended for commercial purposes. Further, we understand that our readers generally read the articles and information online, at the Web sites provided in the hypertext links, rather than relying solely on our synopses or copies. We are not responsible for the accessibility or the content of other Web sites. Please be aware that some links provided are time sensitive, and may become inactive at any time.
We include links to articles, editorials and opinion pieces, press releases, and other materials that represent diverse perspectives. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of any products, services, sources, information, or opinions expressed in these materials.
Use the DBTACs' customized news feeds to check out disability-related stories that are gathered by an automated agent on an ongoing basis.
Visit the Training page for a listing of ADA and disability related trainings, meetings, and conferences.
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General / ADA
Justice Department Files for Immediate Relief Regarding Conditions in Georgia’s Hospitals
This information was posted in the Department of Justice website in the form of a press release. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced that it has filed a motion for immediate relief to protect individuals confined in seven state-run psychiatric hospitals in Georgia from the imminent and serious threat of harm to their lives, health and safety. The motion seeks appointment of a monitor who will set binding targets and timetables for reducing the number of residents at the hospitals and expanding appropriate community based services. The Civil Rights Division is authorized to conduct investigations under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
The Annual Disability Compendium brings together in one place disability statistics published by various federal agencies. It makes finding and using disability statistics easier when working on research, legislative, and other matters relating to persons with disabilities. This publication, the first Compendium, focuses on state-level statistics published by Federal agencies, and presents some time-trend data provided in the last few tables. Future publications will be expanded to incorporate additional statistics, as well as, data from new sources and publications. The Compendium is a product of the Hunter College Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (Hunter StatsRRTC), which is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact 1-866-538-9521.
JAN releases an updated version of its publication, Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Mental Health Impairments. This series is designed to help employers determine effective accommodations and comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers are encouraged to contact JAN to discuss specific situations in more detail. JAN provides resources on mental health impairments and the ADA at http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/psyc.htm. This includes accommodation ideas, information on the ADA and its amendments, and guidance from the EEOC. Two EEOC guidances that may be helpful working through the accommodation process are: The ADA and Psychiatric Disabilities at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/psych.html and The ADA: Applying Performance and Conduct Standards to Employees with Disabilities at http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/performance-conduct.html.
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) seeks to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities by expanding access to training, education, employment supports, assistive technology, integrated employment, entrepreneurial development, and small-business opportunities. The agency also builds partnerships with employers and state and local agencies to increase awareness of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, and to facilitate the use of effective strategies. ODEP does not enforce any laws. ODEP has created a Web site, Disability.Gov, which offers social media tools and upgrades to complement the information from 22 federal agencies on disability-related programs and services. The site also seeks to promote awareness of disability issues to the general public.
Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Green Talent Pipeline
In December, Assistant Secretary for Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Kathy Martinez and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment Training Administration (ETA) Gerri Fiala participated in a panel discussion focused on creating strategies for inclusion of people with disabilities in the green talent pipeline. Martinez stressed that "ODEP and ETA will work together to ensure that the workforce development system implements universal design strategies for all providers, thus opening doors to many individuals previously untapped as workers in the green economy."
New Training Curriculum Available Regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. The training curriculum entitled Building the Legacy / Construyendo el Legado was produced by National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) at the request of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education. The curriculum is intended to help all those involved with children with disabilities understand and implement the IDEA 2004, the nation's special education law. Building the Legacy / Construyendo el Legado is organized according to five themes central to IDEA, with multiple training modules beneath each theme.
Registration For ADA Symposium In Denver, CO Is Now Open!
This year the ADA Symposium will be held in Denver, CO on June 20-23, 2010. The National ADA Symposium hosted by the National network of ADA Centers (DBTACs) has earned the reputation as the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act. For the past fourteen years, thousands of individuals from across the United States have attended the National ADA Symposium. Some of the highlights of this year’s conference include the latest information on new regulations and the ADA Amendments Act from the federal agencies that write the regulations, as well as 48 sessions on a variety of significant issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Presenters include representatives from the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, Defense, National Homeland Security/FEMA, the EEOC, U.S. Access Board, and the International Code Council. There will be a pre-conference designed for newcomers to the ADA, as well as opportunities for networking with people directly involved in ADA implementation throughout the United States.
Research
Visit our "Research" page to learn more about opportunities to participate in surveys and research studies."Nearly New" News
Proclamation of Recommitment to the Mission of the ADA by the 20th Anniversary of the ADA
July 26, 2010 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Across the United States communities are already planning events to celebrate the progress made through the implementation of the ADA.
The National ADA Symposium is sponsoring a unique project that recognizes the progress made toward the mission of the ADA--inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of American life, while addressing that there is still much work to be done: the 2010 by 2010 Campaign!
Their goal is to have 2,010 public entities submit a "Proclamation of Recommitment to the Mission of the ADA" by the 20th anniversary of the ADA. They have a dedicated website that will showcase and celebrate the public entities joining in the reaffirmation of the ADA.
Please join in making the 2010 by 2010 Campaign a reality! People with disabilities, family members, and disability advocates; are ask to approach your community leaders and encourage them to participate in this historic, national event -- the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- by reaffirming their commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Along with this proclamation, The National ADA Symposium asks that participating public entities commit to activities that increase disability awareness and/or accessibility.
Accessible Parking Public Service Announcement
Parking PSA Competition of parking spots is a standing stress for most drivers looking to utilize goods and services in modern day America. Accessible parking is viewed by many as a privilege. Others think too many accessible spaces are available in large parking areas. Many thanks to Robert David Hall of the popular TV show CSI joined forces with the National Network of ADA Centers to bring the following message.
Checklist for the Universal Design of Projects
This article was published by the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. The article discusses how to make facilities, information and activities accessible and usable to all. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandate that no otherwise qualified person with a disability shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in public programs.
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 at staying in school, graduating, and landing 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.
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.
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.
The guide, posted in its entirety at the Access Board's web site, was published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, with support from the U.S. Access Board.
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.
The Tool Kit is designed to teach state and local government officials how to identify and fix problems that prevent people with disabilities from gaining equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities.
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