ADA HEADLINER - November 2009

In This Issue

• 

  Abilities Expo & Conference: Atlanta 2009

  Meet the Southeast ADA Center Staff
  — Join our informative Breakout Sessions!
  • Separating Fact from Fiction: ADA Myth Busters (Session #1)
    Friday, November 6, 2009 ~ 1:30 p.m – 2:30 p.m.
  • Separating Fact from Fiction: ADA Myth Busters (Session #2)
    Saturday, November 7, 2009 ~ 1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.
• ADA Solutions and Q&A by Audience
  Find specific resources and training on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and disability access - select from Business, Employers, Government, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Individual/Advocate, Architecture/Design, and Español (Spanish). Also, check out Popular Bookmarks and Expand Your ADA Knowledge.
• adaresources.org & adacourse.org
  Your One-Stop Resources for Training and Materials on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from DBTAC: National Network of ADA Centers.

For more newsletters, research, and media from BBI Projects, visit BBI Publications.

NEWS

NATIONAL CURRENT NEWS

President Obama Announces New Initiatives during National Disability Employment Awareness Month

President Obama announced that his Administration is taking steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement came during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and outlines some of the steps the Obama Administration will take.

Justice Department Commemorates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez of the Civil Rights Division issued a statement in commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness month in October.

U.S. Department of Labor Steps Up Efforts to Serve Workers with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) joined President Obama in underscoring the administration's commitment to serving every American worker, including the 54 million people across the nation living with disabilities.

2009 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Message from Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez

"Disability is part of the natural diversity of human life. It touches all of us, whether through our own individual experience or that of a family member, neighbor, friend or colleague. As such, we all have a role in – and benefit to gain from – advancing equality for people with disabilities in all sectors of society, including the workplace."

Statement by U.S. Education Secretary Duncan on National Disability Employment Awareness Month

During October, the U.S. Department of Education featured innovative, employment-based projects and individual success stories on their web site.

ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - Town Hall Meetings

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division are holding four full-day Town Hall Listening Sessions in October and November to obtain direct input from the business/employer community and the disability and disability advocacy community on EEOC's proposed regulations under the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA).

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Cooperative Agreement to Establish National Technical Assistance Center for Employers on People with Disabilities

2010 by 2010 Campaign: A Proclamation of Recommitment to the Mission 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 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 on July 26, 2010. A dedicated website will showcase and celebrate the public entities joining in the reaffirmation of the ADA.

Source: www.adasymposium.org/2010.html

Workshops to Advance Hiring of Workers with Disabilities Will Be Focus of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Efforts

Playing a key part in an Obama Administration-wide effort to advance opportunities for workers with disabilities, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold town hall meetings throughout the nation and offer workshops on new federal regulations and hiring procedures.

President Obama Signs Hate Crimes Law Protecting People with Disabilities

President Barack Obama on Wednesday [October 28, 2009] signed and celebrated hate crime legislation that extends protection to people based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also loosens limits on when federal law enforcement can intervene and prosecute crimes, amounting to the biggest expansion of the civil-rights era law in decades. Obama said in East Room reception, surrounded by joyous supporters,

"No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are, or because they live with a disability. "

'Meet Sue' Wins 'What Can You Do?' Contest

The Campaign for Disability Employment and Best Buy honored the winner of the What Can YOU Do? Video Contest during an event in Flowood, Mississippi. The national video competition, which attracted more than 130 videos promoting the talent and skills that people with disabilities bring to America's workplaces, was won by Mississippi native Blake Watson. Mr. Watson's innovative video, "Meet Sue" demonstrates what it would be like to have your many characteristics noticed before your disability. The video is showcased on the Campaign for Disability Employment's Web site

http://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org

Check Out More News Articles Listed by Individual State.

DBTAC: SOUTHEAST ADA CENTER NEWS

Cheri Hofmann Receives Award

On October 13th during the Fifth Annual National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Luncheon, Cheri Hofmann received the Service Award from the Disabilities Summit Council and the Pensacola [Florida] Pen Wheels Association for her outstanding support and service to people with disabilities. This is the second consecutive year that she has received this honor. Cheri is the Distance Learning Coordinator for the Southeast ADA Center.

Jackson [Mississippi] Considers Wheelchair Rules

A coalition of disabled citizens filed a lawsuit in federal court last year to force the city to comply with the ADA in providing disabled access to the city's system of public transit. This coalition of citizens includes Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) of Mississippi and its Director, Christy Dunaway. LIFE is the Southeast ADA Center State Affiliate in Mississippi.

Source: Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS

State of Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure Now Available

The Southeast ADA Center (DBTAC) serves as a member of the State of Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition, a group made up of state agencies, disability organizations, the Red Cross, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and other key service providers and advocacy groups. The Coalition has developed an emergency preparedness brochure targeted to people with disabilities. During this process, the Southeast DBTAC was able to educate several state agencies regarding universal accessibility, usability and readability of a document.

• Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure [PDF, 135 KB, 2 pages] | Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure [HTML]

ADA Pipeline (Vol. 18, No. 2 - 2009) posted to Southeast DBTAC website

The latest issue of the "ADA Pipeline", the Southeast DBTAC newsletter, is posted on our website in PDF, Microsoft Word, large print and plain text formats. Due to increased costs, the newsletter is no longer available in regular print, except upon request.

Promising Directions: ADA In Action by Southeast U.S. State

Check out this popular resource that highlights examples of effective ADA implementation and support for improving access to technology for individuals with disabilities.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SOUTHEAST REGION

US Business Leadership Network Announces 2009 Exceptional Leadership Winners

The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) awarded Wilson Resources, Inc. (WRI) with the Partner of the Year award. Wilson Resources, Inc. (WRI) was nominated by the First Coast Business Leadership Network and the Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network for the Partner of the Year award. WRI partners with the Big Bend (Tallahassee and surrounding areas) BLN; First Coast (Jacksonville and surrounding areas); Gainesville BLN; Greater Orlando BLN (GOBLN); Polk County (Lakeland) BLN: Tampa Bay Metro BLN; and Miami-Dade BLN. WRI is widely-recognized as a driving force behind the statewide success of Florida's BLNs.

Source: USBLN.org

Sidewalks Become Battlegrounds

The nation's crumbling sidewalks have disabled residents taking their wheelchairs to the streets, a potentially dangerous practice that has cash-strapped cities and disability-rights advocates at odds over how to fix the problem.

Source: USA Today

[Florida] Considering Track Events for Wheelchair Athletes

The Florida High School Athletic Association's Board of Directors is considering allowing wheelchair athletes to become official members of high school track teams and recognized wheelchair events would be contested. What originally started last spring as a request by one teen wanting to better her personal times has developed into a request to add adaptive track to the state rulebook.

Source: Tampa Tribune, FL

School District Moving Forward on ADA Issues

Cheatham County [Tennessee] School Board members got their first look at the initial American with Disabilities Act (ADA) assessment for Sycamore High School. Nashville-based Hewlett Spencer is currently assessing all 12 schools for ADA issues after the board voted earlier this month to move forward on a plan to ensure the district is complying with the ADA.

Source: The Tennessean, TN

ADAPT Takes a Stand in Georgia

ADAPT actions rocked the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, CNN Headquarters, and more in Atlanta.

Source: Justice for All Blog

Get More News on ADA.

ENFORCEMENT UPDATE: ADA

Augusta [Georgia] Under Microscope for ADA Violations

It's a major civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and audit teams from the U.S. Justice Department are in the Garden City to see if Augusta is following the law.

Disney Wins Segway Suit Dismissal; Settlement Voided

Walt Disney Company won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming a ban on personal two-wheel transporters at its facilities violates federal disabilities laws, after a judge rejected a proposed settlement in the case.

Jim Walter Resources Coal Company Discriminated against [Alabama] Mineworker

Jim Walter Resources, the world's largest producer of Blue Creek coal, violated federal law by refusing to grant a reasonable accommodation to a deaf miner and subjecting him to a hostile working environment because of his disability, according to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Hollywood Casino Tunica Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

A Robinsonville, [Mississippi] casino fired an injured dealer rather than permit her to sit while working, federal agency charged.

Access Board Releases Draft of Final Guidelines for Federal Outdoor Sites

The U.S. Access Board has released for public review a draft of final guidelines covering access to outdoor sites managed by the Federal government, including national parks and recreation areas. These guidelines address how to achieve accessibility in outdoor developed areas and take into account challenges and constraints posed by terrain, the degree of development, and other factors.

Social Security Administration Must Provide Accessible Format for People with Visual Impairments

For years, many Social Security recipients with visual impairments received notices in a format they have been unable to read. On October 20, 2009, United States District Judge William Alsup ruled that the Social Security Administration must give clients the option of receiving notices in Braille or Microsoft Word on computer disk. These options must be available to clients by April 15, 2010.

• Judgment, Findings of Fact, and Press Release from Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)

Enforcing the ADA: Status Report from the Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Enforcing the ADA Status Report: January - March, 2009 [PDF, 307 KB]| Enforcing the ADA Status Report: January - March, 2009[HTML]

ADA Briefs from the U.S. Department of Justice

New Settlement Agreements Posted to U.S. Department of Justice Website

New Project Civic Access Settlement Agreements Posted to U.S. Department of Justice Website

RESEARCH UPDATE

Check out Southeast DBTAC Research

On sedbtac.org, the Southeast DBTAC Research Team publishes information on its two priorities:

• Examine barriers to employment and economic self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, and
• Increase the civic and social participation of people with disabilities within their communities and across America

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS HIGHLIGHTS

AT&T Premieres Real Time IM Relay for Customers with Hearing and Speech Loss

AT&T has released new technology that allows people who are deaf to decrease significantly the time it takes to communicate over the phone. By logging in to a specialized AOL IM interface, the hearing-impaired user can see the text that the operator is typing, one letter at a time. AT&T is the first company to offer this real-time interface and is doing so free of charge.

Source: PR Newswire

ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) Video Contest Winner Shows How Life-Changing Assistive Technology Is

Source: Marketwire.com

Federal Websites Rapped over Accessibility Problems

Accessibility Compliance Improves Everyone's Quality of Life

Source: Federal News Radio.com

Using Telecoils to Turn Hearing Aids into Mini Loudspeakers

Source: Ethio Planet News

How Technology for [People with Disabilities] Is Going Mainstream

Source: Businessweek.com

Two Cool Ideas on Assistive Technology from IDEAS [Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase]

IDEAS, which stands for Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase, focuses on industry, education and government working together to meet the requirements under sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Technology Center Helps People with Disabilities

A center on the campus of Mississippi State University is helping people with disabilities use technology to improve their lives. The T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability offers evaluations to people with disabilities and helps them identify and gain access to appropriate assistive technology. Funding for the center, which opened in 1996, comes from state agencies, private donations and fees for some services provided by the center.

Source: Starkville Daily News, MS

PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES

PUBLICATIONS AND PROMISING DIRECTIONS

ADA Pipeline Volume 18, Number 2, 2009 Posted to the Southeast DBTAC Web Site

The latest issue of the "ADA Pipeline" the Southeast DBTAC newsletter, is posted on our web site in PDF, Microsoft Word, large print and plain text formats. Due to increased costs, the newsletter is no longer available in regular print, except upon request.

State of Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure Now Available

The Southeast ADA Center (DBTAC) serves as a member of the State of Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition, a group made up of state agencies, disability organizations, the Red Cross, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and other key service providers and advocacy groups. The Coalition has developed an emergency preparedness brochure targeted to people with disabilities. During this process, the Southeast DBTAC was able to educate several state agencies regarding universal accessibility, usability and readability of a document.

• Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure [PDF, 135 KB, 2 pages] | Georgia Emergency Preparedness Brochure [HTML]

Resource Lists on ADA-related topics

Various resource lists are available in Word and Text formats from the DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center. Topics of interest, include: Employment-Related and ADA Definitions, Federal Employment and Disability, ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), the Olmstead Decision, Voting Rights, Arts Facilities & Museums and more.

New Employment Law Poster

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has revised its Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster. This new version shows current federal employment discrimination law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008. The poster was revised to add information about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 which is effective November 21, 2009. The new poster can be downloaded from the EEOC web site.

National Council on Disability Calls for Health Care Reform for People with Disabilities

The National Council on Disability (NCD) released a report entitled The Current State of Health Care for People with Disabilities calling for immediate health care reform for people with disabilities.

Source: National Council on Disability (NCD)

Access Currents from U.S. Access Board: Vol. 15 No. 4 (July/August 2009)

A bi-monthly update from the U.S. Access Board.

• Access Currents (July/August 2009)[PDF, 136 KB, 4 pages]| Access Currents (July/August 2009)[HTML]

National Council on Disability (NCD) Bulletin - October 2009

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) E-News – Volume 7, Issue 3, Third Quarter, 2009

The JAN E-News is a quarterly online newsletter of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

Disability Rights Online News: Issue 32 – September 2009

Business Sense Newsletter

A monthly newsletter from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The topic for the October issue is "Ingredients for Success".

For more materials: Publications List, Publications on ADA, and Promising Directions: ADA In Action.

BOOKMARK FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Creature Discomforts: Characters that Can Change the Way We See Disability

This website offers a series of TV advertisements from a company in Great Britain. They have created engaging cartoon characters in little scenarios that "change the way that you see disability". If you find the accents hard to understand, click on "subtitles" and experience another advantage of captioning. If you want an extra treat, click on "Sign Language" and watch the sign language interpreter inserted into the video you are watching.

Source: Creature Discomforts.org

Workforce3 One Unveils New Disability and Employment Resource

Workforce3 One has released a new disability and employment resource page to make employment-related information and promising practices available to the workforce system. This new community of practice will help promote positive employment outcomes and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities. The website includes information for the business community on topics such as tax incentives and recruiting and accommodating employees with disabilities.

Website Focuses on Graduates with Disabilities

Disabled Person.com has launched a new website to help employers and graduates with disabilities to connect with each other.

Source: Disabled Person.com

Think College - College Options for People with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities

Source: Think College.net

Using Video Interpreting in the Workplace

An archived webinar available on the DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center website.

Disability Connection: October 2009 Issue

The quarterly newsletter of Disability.gov, which is a federal Web site that contains disability-related resources on programs, services, laws and regulations to help people with disabilities.

Diversity Inc.com

Features articles on diversity in the workplace, resources for employers and employees and information that can be used for ADA training.

Diversity Inc. E-Letter on Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

This website includes articles of interest on Cultural Diversity in the workplace, the Latino community and individuals with disabilities, plus information and resources for employers, Latino employees and employees with disabilities.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Hearing Loss in the Workplace: It's All in a Day's Work

Source: Healthy Hearing.com

Guidance Targets Pandemic-Related Questions about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Disabled Workers; Employer Fears Are Groundless

Studies show that hiring [workers with disabilities] does not lead to higher accommodation costs, worker compensation or sick leave, yet these myths persist.

Source: Business Week.com

Can "I Want a Window Office" Be an ADA Request?

Source: Business Management Daily

Helping Hard-of-Hearing Employees

With workers staying on the job longer, there will likely be more difficulty with hearing loss. The remedies are often simple -- and inexpensive, experts say. Without such assistance, employers could lose productivity from some of their skilled employees.

Source: Human Resource Executive Online

Beware of Inflexible Return-to-Work Policy Following Exhaustion of Workers' Compensation Leave

Source: Holland Hart.com

DBSquared Offers Automated System for ADA-Compliant Job Descriptions

DBSquared recently launched DBDescriptions, a software which allows organizations to easily create and maintain comprehensive and ADA-compliant job descriptions through an automated system.

Source: PR Web.com

7 Things Never to Say to People with Disabilities

Chances are you work with someone who has a disability. Check this list to find out what people with disabilities don't want to hear.

Source: Diversity Inc.com

The Ingredients for Success

Read about employment issues from the disability perspective in the October issue of Business Sense, the monthly online newsletter from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

Source: ODEP

ADA Legal Updates & Issues

Search ADA Case Law by Topic, Court, and/or Audience and get additional Legal Resources including the following:

• Legal Research Websites [Text file] | Legal Research Websites [Word file]
• Technical Information Perspectives and Solutions (TIPS)

Web: sedbtac.org/legalissues.php

ADA Document Portal

Web: adata.org/adaportal

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Helen Keller Statue Unveiled at U.S. Capitol

A bronze statue of Helen Keller was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers praised her as a trailblazer and an inspiration for those with disabilities.

Source: CNN.com

United We Ride National Dialogue Wants Your Ideas on Accessible Transportation

United We Ride will hold a National Dialogue from November 2-13, 2009 to provide an opportunity for participants to discuss ideas to improve transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults and individuals with limited incomes in communities across the country. The Web-based interactive dialogue is designed to influence future transportation policies.

Can a Snake Be a Service Animal? Yes, But Rules Are Getting a New Review

Source: Longview Daily News, WA

Be Sure to Look Past the Disability (Opinion)

Source: Tallahassee.com, FL

In California, a Fight against Faux Disabilities and Fake Permits

Source: New York Times

Use the DBTAC's News Feeds Customized by Individual State

Find disability-related stories that are gathered automatically on an ongoing basis.

STATISTICS YOU CAN USE

Disability Employment Statistics Released for September 2009

In September 2009, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.0 [percent] compared with 70.5 [percent] for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 16.2 percent, compared with 9.2 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - Monthly Data Series: Employment Status of People with a Disability

First National Study on Crime against Persons with Disabilities

The first national study on crime against persons with disabilities has been released by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), Office of Justice Programs. Young and middle-aged persons with disabilities experienced higher rates of violence than persons of similar ages without disabilities. The report is available in PDF, ASC II, spreadsheet and regular print formats.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), Office of Justice Programs

Survey Shows Wide Acceptance for Capabilities of People Blind, Severely Disabled, Despite 60% Unemployed

In September 2009, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.0 [percent] compared with 70.5 [percent] for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 16.2 percent, compared with 9.2 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.

Source: PR Newswire

NOTABLE QUOTABLES

Find Notable Quotables for use in your speeches and presentations.

"No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are, or because they live with a disability. "

President Barak Obama
Remarks from Signing Ceremony for Hate Crimes Legislation
October 28, 2009

"Each day, Americans with disabilities play a critical role in forging and shaping the identity of our Nation. Their contributions touch us all through personal experience or through that of a family member, neighbor, friend, or colleague. We grow stronger as a Nation when Americans feel the dignity conferred by having the ability to support themselves and their families through productive work."

President Barak Obama
Proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month
September 30, 2009

TRAINING EVENTS & TOOLS

DBTAC: ADA Centers offer exciting Online Training Opportunities!

• Mark your calendars and visit the archives of ADA Audio Conference Series.
• Check out ADA Training Resource Center:
  Your One-Stop for Courses, Events & Tools on Americans with Disabilities Act.

TRAINING: AUDIOCONFERENCES & WEBCASTS

ADA Audio Conference Series 2009 - 2010

The Audio Conference Series, a program of the National Network of ADA Centers (Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers), provides in-depth information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Information Technology (IT) and other disability-related topics. The Series is designed as a springboard to enhance an individual's existing knowledge base or facilitate continued learning regarding regulations and trends under the ADA, and is available in three formats: Teleconference, Streaming Audio, and Real-Time Captioning via the Internet.

Schedule Highlights & Archives:

• This Month: November 17, 2009
  Audioconference: Social Networking Sites and Accessibility: Implications for Employers
• Upcoming Session: December 15, 2009
  Audioconference: Legal Update: Review and Analysis of Key Concepts under the ADA
• All Sessions: Audio Conference Series: Schedule 2008-2009 [PDF file]
• Past Sessions: Archives: ADA Audioconference Series

Contact for more information:
DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center
Phone: (312) 996-1174 [voice/tty] • Email: gldbtac@uic.edu • Web: ada-audio.org

Legal Issues Webinar Series

• Upcoming Session: December 2, 2009
  Audioconference: Employer Defenses Under the ADA
• Past: Archives: Legal Issues Webinar Series

Web: www.ada-audio.org/Webinar/ADALegal

Technology Accessibility Webinar Series

• This Month: November 18, 2009
  Webinar: Tips and Tricks for Efficient, Accessible Web Design
• Past: Archives: Technology Accessibility Webinar Series

Web: www.ada-audio.org/Webinar/AccessibleTechnology/

Webcasts from Disability Law Resource Project

• This Month: November 6, 2009
  Webinar: ADA Amendments Act - Proposed EEOC Regulations
• Upcoming Sessions:
  • December 3, 2009
    Webinar from NCDDR: Documenting Disparities in Obesity and Disability
  • January 13 & 20, 2010
    Webcast and Teleconference: Using Social Media (2-Part Series)
• Past: Archives: Webcasts from Disability Law Resource Project

Web: www.dlrp.org/html/Training/webcasts.html

TRAINING: COURSES & TUTORIALS ON THE WEB

$FREE Webcourses (3) and CEU/CRCC credit offered by DBTAC: ADA Centers:

• At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities Webcourse
  (0.5 CEU; 5 CRCC)
• ADA Basic Building Blocks Webcourse (0.5 CEU; 3.5 CRCC)
• Title II Online Tutorial for ADA Coordinators (0.3 CEU; 3 CRCC)

Web: adacourse.org/courses.php

Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities Webcourse

An online course developed by the U.S. Department of Justice that explains how the ADA applies to businesses. Putting these lessons into practice will allow you to comply with the ADA and welcome a whole new group of customers to purchase your goods, products, and services.

Web: www.ada.gov/reachingout/intro1.htm

TRAINING: VIDEOS, PODCASTS, PSAs, & MEDIA

Accessible Parking Public Service Announcement[Video]

Competition for parking is stressful for most drivers in modern day America. Accessible parking is viewed by many as a privilege; others think too many accessible spaces are available. Many thanks to Robert David Hall of the popular TV show CSI who joined forces with the National Network of ADA Centers to develop this Public Service Announcement (PSA); sharing this information is encouraged.

ASL Video Podcast Series: Disability Law Lowdown

Bi-weekly videos on disability law delivered with American Sign Language (ASL), captioning, voice-over, and transcripts. Subscribe via web or iTunes.

Web: dll-asl.ada-podcast.org/

Succeeding in College and Work: Students with Disabilities Tell Their Stories [Video]

College students with disabilities share strategies they use to succeed in staying in school, graduate and land jobs. Use these closed-captioned videos as part of a training (each video is 7-9 minutes) and share them with other students and professionals. Watch the videos online at the DBTAC: New England ADA Center website or request a DVD via email adainfo@newenglandada.org.

Web: adaptiveenvironments.org/neada/site/student_videos

TRAINING: ON-SITE CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Abilities Expo: Atlanta 2009

November 6-8, 2009
Cobb Galleria Convention Center, Atlanta, GA

Description:The leading event for Americans with disabilities, their caregivers and healthcare professionals to receive education and view the latest, life-altering technologies, products and services. These 3-day expos now have even more to offer including: Hot New Technology; Cutting Edge Education Seminars for Consumers and Professionals serving people with disabilities (with the availability of CEU credit); ADA Career Fair; Free Wheelchair Repair Pavilion; Fashion Show; and Networking Reception for Professionals.

For more information, visit Abilities Expo: Atlanta 2009.

Web: www.abilitiesexpo.com

2009 North Carolina Assistive Technology Expo

December 3-4, 2009
North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC

Description:The Assistive Technology Expo is an exciting two-day event designed to increase awareness and provide current information on assistive technology. Conference offerings include an exhibit hall (on 12/03/09 only) featuring 30-40 vendors exhibiting the latest in assistive technology products and services, 40 concurrent information sessions, a poster session and a Keynote address.Deadline to Register: November 2, 2009

Web: www.pat.org/at_expo/

2009 Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference - 28th Annual Conference

December 9-11, 2009
Hyatt Regency - Bethesda, Maryland

Description: This conference offers the latest information on personnel policies and practices, developments in technology, legal updates, and resources that will help your federal agency achieve its goals. Through workshops, keynote speakers and a general session hear from key officials and experts knowledgeable in disability employment issues in the federal sector. Federal Human Resource and Equal Employment Opportunity specialists, hiring managers, and others who manage employment matters concerning persons with disabilities should attend this conference

Web: www.graduateschool.edu/Conferences/Perspectives/index.php

ATIA 2010 Orlando: Showcasing Excellence in Assistive Technology

January 28-31, 2010
Orlando, Florida

Web: www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3545

Want More Training?

Check out Training & Events Calendar for the most current ADA and disability-related events in the Southeast Region and across the United States.

TRAINING TOOLS

ADA Training Resource Center:
Your One-Stop for Courses, Events & Tools on Americans with Disabilities Act

Search a wealth of ADA training materials, including case studies, courses, handouts, case law updates, statistics, quotes, and solutions for specific audiences.

Web: adacourse.org

ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments

A publication from the Department of Justice, includes the latest chapter on: Emergency Management for State and Local Governments.

Web: ada.gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain.htm

Easter Seals Project ACTION Releases New Bus Operator Training DVD

A.C.C.E.S.S. Matters: Accessibility, Communication, Cooperation, Excellence, Sensitivity, and Service is a free training program for fixed-route transit bus operators that focuses on customer service and sensitivity toward passengers with disabilities. A.C.C.E.S.S. Matters is designed as a one-hour facilitated or self-study course and includes an open-captioned DVD, trainer materials, participant worksheet, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) materials. Order a free copy of the DVD online or call Project ACTION at 1-800-659-6428.

Web: projectaction.org

UNTIL NEXT MONTH ...

Wishing you success in your ADA activities from your DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center!

DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center
(Serving AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)

Phone: (404) 541-9001 [voice/tty]
Toll-Free: (800)949-4232 [voice/tty]
Email: sedbtacproject@law.syr.edu • Fax: (404) 541-9002

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