E-Bulletin: May 7, 2024

“Service Dog Picks Out His Own Toy and Pays for It”

If you’re a “dog person,” this video will brighten your day.

Examining the Equity of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Rural Americans

This fact sheet from the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities outlines findings from studies that examined vocational rehabilitation (VR) application and service delivery rates and practices. Researchers found variations in VR service provision by both geographic and demographic characteristics that raised concerns about equitable access to VR services, especially for traditionally marginalized populations, including people with disabilities in rural areas.

Section 504: HHS Finalizes Rule Strengthening Protections Against Disability Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule that expands and updates protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The rule addresses programs conducted by the Department, as well as any programs that receive financial assistance from the Department.

Among other provisions, the rule:

• Ensures that medical treatment decisions are not based on biases or judgments that an individual with a disability will be a burden on others, or beliefs that the life of an individual with a disability has less value than the life of a person without a disability
• Sets forth detailed requirements to ensure nondiscrimination in the services provided by child welfare agencies, including parent-child visitation, reunification services, child placement, parenting skills programs, and in- and out-of-home services
• Defines what accessibility means for websites and mobile applications, and requires compliance with specific technical standards, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA; this aligns with the standards recently published by the Department of Justice under Title II of the ADA
• Adopts the U.S. Access Board’s standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment, and requires that within two years of the effective date, funding recipients using examination tables and/or weight scales have at least one accessible version of the equipment

“16,000 People with Disabilities Are in State-Operated Institutions”

This article features interviews with disability advocates who say that fundamental changes are still needed in the way we approach health care and community inclusion.

Finding a Good Fit: Tips on Hiring Rural Personal Assistants

This new publication from the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities offers tips that may help people with disabilities to identify qualified, reliable, and trustworthy workers who can provide respectful personal assistance services.

“The Hidden Costs of Unpaid Caregiving in America”

This article reports on the challenges shared by many families, and highlights the story of one, addressing the needs of a loved one who needs long-term care and support.

“Are There Blind Scuba Divers? Here’s the Accessible Way Anyone Can Explore the Ocean.”

This article highlights the benefits of scuba diving, and some of the adaptive strategies and equipment used by divers with a wide variety of disabilities, including blindness, paraplegia, and autism.

Conferencia: Camino a la Transición de la Escuela a Vida Adulta (Event in Spanish: The Way to Transition from School to Adult Life)

Saturday, May 18, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046

Spanish-speaking families living in northern Virginia with children receiving special education who are in the process of transitioning from school to adult life are invited to come and learn about the ADA and resources related to transition from school to college or work.

Lunch will be included! Contact Rosalia Fajardo at 703-867-6529 for more information. Deadline to register is May 14.

Webinar: Inclusive Education for K-12 Students with Mental Health Disabilities

May 22, 2024
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern
This webinar will address the right to inclusive education for K-12 students with mental health disabilities under the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The session will review students’ rights and schools’ responsibilities, as well as best practices that schools can use to support students with mental health disabilities.

FTA Seeks Public Comments on Transportation Program Guidance

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking input on proposed updates to the Rural Areas Formula Grant Programs Circular, which includes guidance for the Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311) program, the Bus and Bus Facilities (Section 5339(a)) program, and the Tribal Transit programs. In addition, changes may be seen in the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Circular (Section 5310), which is also in the process of being updated. Comments are due by June 3, 2024.

Keystones of PA: A Historical Collection

The Keystones of Pennsylvania is seeking materials to contribute to a virtual collection dedicated to the history of Independent Living in Pennsylvania.

If you or someone you know has memories of the Independent Living Movement, signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other landmark disability rights movement activities in Pennsylvania, the Statewide Advocacy Group (SWAG) wants to hear from you!

Complex Rehabilitation Technology Policy Stakeholder Survey

The Assessment and Investigation of New Coverage Policies for Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) Within a Contemporary Accountable Care Environment project seeks CRT stakeholders (i.e., wheelchair users, care-partners/caregivers, clinicians, suppliers, manufacturers, technicians, policymakers, and funding sources) to take this survey. The survey is designed to solicit opinions about elements that should be included in a new coverage policy, such as timeliness, repairs/maintenance, improved communication, accountability, and durability.