What's New
2010 ADA Update
September 16 & 17, 2010
Baltimore, MD
Register Now! 2010 ADA Update
This year's ADA Update will include many nationally recognized presenters. The cost of this training conference is $149.
September 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.
ADA 20th Anniversary Page
July 26, 2010
Learn about the history of the ADA, recommit to the mission of the ADA, and find helpful resources.
___________________________________________________
General / ADA
Hearing Impaired Woman with Service Dog Told To Leave Mall (MD)
This article is on the WUSA9 website. A Maryland resident, who is hearing impaired, took her service dog into the Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, MD, and security asked her to leave. It happened twice in one week. The security company for the mall released a statement saying they regret the incident and will ensure its security officers understand the law.
Blind Victory: Richmond Man Wins Fight for More Accessible Sidewalks (VA)
This article is on The Province website. A blind Richmond man’s fight for more accessible crosswalks has resulted in the city testing new features at intersections. The Virginia resident was about to proceed with a human-rights complaint against the city for not making crosswalks as accessible as possible for visually impaired people.
More Disabled Workers File Discrimination Claims In 2009
This article is on the USA Today website. More people with disabilities filed charges of discrimination against their employers last year than at any other time in the 20-year history of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Almost 21,500 ADA-related charges were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2009.
New Statistics on Disabled Workers
This article is on the Washington Post website. As the Obama administration pledges to hire more people with disabilities; some new numbers suggest the percentage of disabled American workers employed in the public sector is on par with the percentage of workers who are not disabled.
Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Graduates Overcome Barriers to Find Employment
More than 75 students with significant disabilities donned cap and gown on Friday, August 27 and proudly walked or rolled their wheelchairs across the stage at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna. The men and women represent 41 Tennessee counties and are committed to working and living independent lives.
Court Revives ADA Case over Curbs & Sidewalks
This article is on the website CourtHouseNews.com. Poorly maintained sidewalks, curbs and parking lots don't violate the Americans with Disabilities Act unless they block wheelchair access to other public "services, programs or activities," the 5th Circuit ruled in reinstating a lawsuit filed by disabled residents of Arlington, Texas. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit as untimely, but the appellate panel in New Orleans voted 2-1 to revive the case.
NASA Astronaut Sends First American Sign Language Message from Space
This information is on the NASA website. The number of languages used on the International Space Station has recently increased. In addition to those spoken in the 15 countries that have had representatives aboard the space station, American Sign Language (ASL), is now included.
This information is on the website ADA.gov. A new guide, Access to Medical Care for Persons with Mobility Disabilities, has information to help medical care providers understand how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 apply to them.
Hearing Impaired Cell Phones: New FCC Ruling
This article is on the Healthy Hearing website. The Federal Communications Commission recently took important steps to ensure that the latest cell phones are hearing aid-compatible, expanding access to mobile networks and services for the 8 million Americans who use hearing aids.
Board to Hold Public Meeting on Shared Use Paths
This information may be found on the Access Board website. The U.S. Access Board is initiating rulemaking to address access to shared use paths and will hold a public information meeting on the subject September 13 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Board is particularly interested in information on any accessibility guidelines for shared use paths developed by state transportation departments and other jurisdictions.
Labor Department Announces Grants to Encourage Employing the Disabled
This information is on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) website. The DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has made available approximately $2.3 million in grant funds for the Add Us In initiative. The money is aimed at funding programs to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities
Assistive Technology / Information Technology
Blinding Technology of Online Learning
This article is on the Inside Higher Ed website. Online learning is often heralded as a way to make college an option for people who would not otherwise have the money or mobility to access it. But for blind students, online learning can present more obstacles than opportunities — especially as e-learning materials become more technologically sophisticated.
ADA 20th Anniversary
White House Video - 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
President Obama and others speak at the White House’s commemoration the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
President Obama's ADA Anniversary PSA
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
The U.S. Department of Justice published four new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) proposals addressing the accessibility of websites, the provision of captioning and video description in moves shown in theatres, accessible equipment and furniture, and the ability of 9-1-1 ce4nter to take text and video calls from individuals with disabilities.
Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Justice publishes a guide for Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities. “Accessibility of doctors’ offices, clinics, and other health care providers is essential in providing medical care to people with disabilities. Due to barriers, individuals with disabilities are less likely to get routine preventative medical care than people without disabilities. Accessibility is not only legally required, it is important medically so that minor problems can be detected and treated before turning into major and possibly life-threatening problems.”
This is video of the EEOC’s Panel Discussion and Awards Ceremony that took place on July 22, 2010 in commemoration of the ADA 20th anniversary.
EEOC highlights twenty significant ADA employment matters litigated or resolved by the Commission to obtain relief for people with disabilities. These cases reflect the wide range of work that the Commission does to enforce the rights of people with disabilities.
U.S. Access Board Celebrates 20 Years of the ADA
Since barriers to access stem not only from attitudes and practices but design as well, the ADA established accessibility requirements for buildings and transit systems.
U.S. Access Board Proposes Updates to Its ADA Guidelines for Buses and Vans
On July 26, the Board published for public comment a proposal to update sections of its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles that cover access to buses and vans. The proposal contains revisions to the guidelines, which apply to new or re manufactured vehicles, to address new types of systems, such as bus rapid transit and low floor buses, and advances in technology, including automation of announcements.
DOT hosted a 20th anniversary celebration of the ADA. “Because the ADA mandated complimentary paratransit services, more Americans can get from one place to another.”
C-SPAN Video - Congressional Commemoration of the ADA’s 20th Anniversary
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) held a press conference and hosted panels for discussing the passage of the historical legislation and looking forward on how to fulfill the promises of the ADA.
Trainings and Events
USBLN Annual Conference & Expo September 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois
The U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) will host its 13th Annual Conference & Expo September 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. Entitled, "Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity" it is the preeminent national employer-to-employer event that taps the vast economic potential of people with disabilities to enhance business productivity and profitability. This conference brings corporate, government, disability-owned businesses and BLN affiliates together to create workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are fully included as professionals, customers and entrepreneurs. Early bird rate and registration deadline is July 15th.
Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) 10th Annual Continuing Education Conference
ATI's 10th annual conference will be held from August 13-15, 2010 in Baltimore, MD. ATI's mission is to support providers of travel instruction for the purpose of teaching people with disabilities and seniors to travel safely and independently. Conference sessions include different ways to use technology as an aid to travel instruction and connections between travel training and school transition services.
Research
Visit our "Research" page to learn more about opportunities to participate in surveys and research studies.ADA/504 Coordinators and those with an interest in venue accessibility are invited to participate in a research study analyzing risk perceptions of entertainment venue managers in accommodating patrons with disabilities. This study is being conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina. This survey was specifically designed to learn more about accommodating patrons with disabilities in the context of entertainment venues. Specifically, the purpose is to investigate whether the perception of risk corresponds to the actual legal issues most frequently litigated. Your participation is entirely voluntary and your responses will be kept confidential. The survey results will not identify your venue in any way. This survey should take approximately nine minutes to complete.
"Nearly New" News
Health Care Reform
On March 23rd, President Obama signed a new Health Care Reform law which takes effect immediately. It will require most Americans to have health insurance and prevent insurance providers from excluding those with pre-existing conditions or dropping people when they get sick. The reform will be phased in over the next four years and over time, the new law will expand Medicaid to include those earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level and mandate coverage of mental health care. Liz Savage, director of health and housing policy at the Disability Policy Collaboration, stated "This is far more historic for people with disabilities than it is for the average American...I think everyone in the disability community is thrilled because everything that we fought for was included". To read more about this major legislation and how it will benefit the disability community, click on the articles below:
-
Obama Signs Health Care Bill (Disability Scoop March 23rd)
-
Final Health Care Votes Bring Boost for People with Disabilities (Disability Scoop March 26th)
-
Health Reform Implementation: When, How and For Whom (AAPD blog March 31st)
-
Health Care Ushers in Big Changes for People with Disabilities (Disability Scoop March 22nd)
- The Washington Post March 22nd article)
FCC Announces New Closed Captioned Complaint Rules
Consumers can now file complaints directly with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thanks to new closed captioning complaint rules by the FCC effective February 19, 2010. These new closed captioning rules, requested by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and consumer groups in 2004, make it easier for consumers to report closed caption problems.
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.
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.
Training | Publications | Links | Accessible IT | Youth with Disabilities | Research | Join Our Mailing List
©2010 DBTAC: Mid-Atlantic ADA Center