We post our bi-weekly bulletin 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 websites provided in the hyperlinks, rather than relying solely on our synopses or copies. We are not responsible for the accessibility or the content of other websites. 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.
General News
February is Low Vision Awareness Month
The National Eye Institute (NEI) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers a variety of information and materials to help both service providers and individuals learn more about how to make the most out of life with low vision.
The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) also highlights some recent research and development projects focused on improving opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.
Employment News
The Long Commute: Closing the Gap in Rural Employment for People with Serious Mental Health Conditions
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness released this brief, which explores the barriers facing rural job seekers with serious mental health conditions, and highlights innovative solutions in technology and self-employment.
EEOC Issues New Guidance on Telework for Federal Employers
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued this new publication, Frequently Asked Questions from the Federal Sector about Telework Accommodations for Disabilities, to support federal executive agencies (covered by Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act) in efforts to reevaluate working from home and return more employees to workplaces.
ADA Legal News
“Department of Justice Opposes Unfair Class Action Settlement Involving Accessibility of Website under the ADA”
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest arguing that a proposed class action settlement lacks sufficient detail and enforcement provisions to ensure the access barriers that motivated the lawsuit would be addressed.
The lawsuit alleged that a retailer operated an online clothing website that was not accessible, denying blind users full and equal access to its goods and services. The proposed settlement includes payments to class members and generous attorney’s fees, but only “generically” requires the retailer to make its website accessible.
North Carolina: Wilson Logistics to Pay $50,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit
Transportation Management Group, a trucking company doing business as Wilson Logistics, Inc., will pay $50,000 to a deaf truck driver and take other steps to settle an ADA lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, a qualified job applicant contacted the company seeking work as a truck driver. When the applicant spoke to a company representative through a video relay service, the company’s representative told him the company does not hire individuals who communicate through sign language.
In addition to paying monetary damages, the two-year consent decree settling the lawsuit requires Wilson Logistics to revise all application materials, post an employee notice, develop and distribute a disability accommodations policy to its employees, conduct annual ADA training with all managers in its recruitment and human resources department, and submit periodic compliance reports to the EEOC.
Education News
“AI Assistive Technology Improves Inclusion in K–12 Environments”
Assistive technologies in the classroom play a key role in supporting students with disabilities, from text-to-speech software to screen readers and alternative keyboards. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a means to augment these technologies.
Health and Wellness News
Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People with Disabilities
This resource from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offers practical tips for working with medical providers to improve access to health care. Visit Coverage to Care to find this publication in eight other languages, as well as a variety of other resources about health care, including preventative care, managing chronic conditions, using telehealth services, planning for health care when returning to the community after incarceration, and much more.
“Underpaid and Under Pressure: The Eldercare Workforce Leading America’s Job Growth”
This article explores issues around the continuing rise in demand for direct care workers in homes and long-term care facilities, and factors such as low pay, stressful working conditions, and “immigration restrictions, falling birth rates and sweeping Medicaid funding cuts [that] are narrowing the pipeline of workers willing, or able, to fill these roles.”
Training, Events, and Opportunities to Participate
Pennsylvania Hearing Loss Expo
March 10 – 11, 2026
Penn Harris Hotel
Camp Hill, PA
This year’s event celebrates the 40th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH). The Expo will feature dozens of organizations and vendors and a variety of presentations and workshops.
The event on March 11 will also include a “Day of Discovery” for high school students ages 14 – 21 who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind. Activities will focus on preparing for successful post-secondary transition.
FCC Solicits Nominations for Membership on the CSRIC
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intends to re-charter the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC). The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Commission to address a number of topics, including national security implications of the dark fiber market, ensuring submarine cable security and resiliency, malicious SIM farm mitigation, reducing common causes of sunny day outages, expanding NG911’s multimedia availability and increasing 911 accessibility, and enhancing communications network security. Nominations should be submitted to the FCC no later than March 11, 2026.
U.S. Access Board Seeks Public Comment Regarding Approach to Technical Requirements for Universal Changing Stations
The U.S. Access Board published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) asking for public comment on its approach to developing technical standards for universal changing stations (also known as “adult changing tables”), which are required to be provided by sponsors of medium and large hub airports seeking airport development project grants. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 requires the Access Board to issue these standards, and the ANPRM proposes multiple approaches to developing them. Public comments for the ANPRM are due by April 20, 2026.
Study Seeks College Students with Mental Health Challenges
The Temple University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (TU Collaborative) seeks participants for a study on “Taking Action,” a peer-delivered group intervention that helps college students with mental health challenges create a personalized system for improving and maintaining wellness and recovery. Participants must be 18 or older, currently enrolled in college in the U.S. with at least two semesters left, and have experienced significant mental health challenges. Eligible participants will take part in three online research interviews and, if assigned to the intervention group, five online group meetings. For more information, contact TakingAction@temple.edu or complete the screening questionnaire to volunteer.
The Caregiver Artificial Intelligence Prize Challenge
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced this national challenge, which calls on technology innovators to partner with caregivers, home care providers, and organizations in aging and disability networks to develop tools that strengthen care at home and in the community through responsible use of artificial intelligence. Phase 1 participants will compete for up to $2.5 million in prize funding, with awards expected to go to as many as 20 winners. Key dates and other details are available online.