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
New England ADA Center Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Interviews with Indigenous People with Disabilities
This article features interviews with Althea John, Digital Inclusion Specialist and member of the Navajo Nation, and Madeleine Hutchins, a Mohegan storyteller and scholar. Ms. John and Ms. Hutchins described their experiences as tribe members with disabilities, connecting with the New England ADA Center, their work as a storytellers and artists, and tackling challenges of stereotypes and misconceptions.
Employment News
National Organization on Disability Announces 2023 Leading Disability Employers
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) announced the 2023 Leading Disability Employers, based on data provided by the companies on the NOD Employment Tracker.™ The Tracker helps companies better understand how their key business practices can improve hiring, retention, and advancement of workers with disabilities.
Data Spotlight: Employment of Hispanics with Disabilities in Skilled Trades Professions
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) analyzed the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data for 2017 through 2021 to identify how many disabled Hispanic individuals are currently working in skilled trade professions such as farming, fishing, construction, maintenance, repair, and transportation. Among Hispanic adults aged 16 and older with disabilities who are employed, ODEP found that approximately 30% work in skilled trade professions, with most of those working in jobs related to transportation and material moving.
Transportation News
FTA Highlights Grant Programs that Support Real-Time ADA Paratransit Service
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued this letter to remind public transit operators that many existing formula grant programs can be used to improve paratransit programs by offering service on a real-time basis and/or allowing intermediate stops. The use of these options can expand opportunities for riders and boost efficiency for transit agencies. Examples of activities that might be eligible for support include purchase of vehicles, studies to determine community needs, travel training, purchase and installation of state-of-the-art dispatching and communications systems for more efficient and flexible trip scheduling, or mobility management projects designed to build coordination among transit service providers.
Air Carrier Access Act News
Public Awareness Campaign to Ensure Air Travelers with Disabilities Know Their Rights
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a public awareness campaign in celebration of the 37th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The campaign, #AccessibleAirTravel, is designed to raise awareness about the rights of air travelers with disabilities. Check out the information and a new video on the airline passengers with disabilities Bill of Rights.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act News
Video: Strengthening the Provision of Special Education Services for Children with Disabilities and Their Families Experiencing Homelessness
The National Center for Homeless Education at the U.S. Department of Education posted this video, recorded from a recent webinar. Presenters provided an overview of the educational rights of children and youth with and without disabilities experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Presenters facilitated an in-depth discussion on the intersection, coordination, and implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Health and Wellness News
HHS Invests $8 Million to Improve Health Care Access by Training New Physicians to Care for Individuals with Disabilities and Individuals with Limited English Proficiency
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the award of more than $8 million to support the training of primary care medical students, physician assistant students, and medical residents in how to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care for individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities.
Among the 18 organizations receiving awards are the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, the Thomas Jefferson University, and The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (all located in Pennsylvania), and the West Virginia University Research Corporation.
Innovation and Opportunity: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers
The AARP’s 2023 LTSS State Scorecard is a compilation of data and analysis of state long-term services and supports (LTSS). The Scorecard is intended to identify strengths and weaknesses in state systems and inform the development of actionable solutions at the local, state, and national levels.
Informal Peer Support May Have Benefits for Both Experienced and Newly Injured People with Spinal Cord Injury
Recent research findings indicate that individuals with spinal cord injuries benefit from both providing and receiving peer support.
“Amid Nationwide Mental Health Crisis, Suicide Prevention Hotlines Struggle with Repeat Callers”
Since its launch about a year ago, the numbers of calls to 988 crisis hotline centers have grown, and many centers are struggling to meet the demands of both new and repeat callers.
“America Has Reached Peak Therapy. Why Is Our Mental Health Getting Worse?”
The use of mental health care in the United States has increased dramatically, yet more people report feeling depressed or anxious, and suicide rates are rising. This article explores some of the factors, positive and negative, behind the statistics, as well as some of the theories about how we might improve access to and effectiveness of interventions.
“Nonprofit Seeks Insight from Devices Left Behind by Veterans Who Died by Suicide”
The cell phones, tablets, and laptops left behind by veterans who died by suicide may offer insight that could help prevent future military suicides, according to a nonprofit dedicated to analyzing the data from the devices.
Recreation News
“Using Technology to Open up Wilderness Trails to People with Disabilities”
This article highlights technological developments, ranging from assistive devices that enable individuals with mobility disabilities to go snow skiing or mountain biking, to sophisticated technologies that can collect and share data on the specific features of outdoor trails.
“Access PlayStation Controller Aims to Make Gaming Easier for People with Disabilities”
Playing video games has long been a challenge for people with disabilities. Many traditional controllers are difficult or impossible for people with limited mobility to manipulate. As part of the gaming industry’s efforts to address the problem, Sony, working with input from accessibility consultants, has developed the Access controller for the PlayStation.
Halloween: Make It Fun for All
These articles offer ideas to make Halloween activities inclusive:
5 Easy Ways to Make Halloween More Inclusive for Trick-or-Treaters with Disabilities
Training, Events, and Opportunities to Participate
Understanding the U.S. Access Board’s Final Rule on the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
November 6, 2023
Marriottsville, MD
This in-person training on the U.S. Access Board’s newly released final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way will be presented by Juliet Shoultz, the U.S. Access Board’s Transportation Systems Engineer.
Webinar: Remote Work as a Reasonable Accommodation: No Blankets Allowed
November 29, 2023
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Join us for a discussion about remote and hybrid work arrangements as reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities, and how these accommodations are distinct from, yet may be also be integrated with, efforts to expand remote work opportunities and other workforce flexibility practices to benefit employees and employers.
Recruiting Clinicians for TBI Emotion Regulation Intervention Study
The New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NY-TBIMS) is recruiting clinicians for a study to evaluate strategies for implementing an emotion regulation intervention into practice. Participants must be licensed psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors practicing in the United States. Participants who have experience with cognitive behavioral therapy, working with people with traumatic brain injury, and providing group treatment are preferred. Eligible participants will participate in free comprehensive training on an empirically supported intervention targeting emotion regulation.