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ADA Question of the Month - Do You Know the Correct Answer?
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Question
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A business rents space. One of the business' employees needs a reasonable accommodation of an assigned accessible parking space near the door.
How should the business respond?
Answer: First, discuss the reasonable accommodation request with the employee and collect any documentation of disability and need for reasonable accommodation necessary. Since the business does not own the parking, management will need to discuss the assignment of accessible parking with the landlord. Ownership of property can affect whether or not a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
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New Hampshire Governor's Commission on Disability Hosts Open House in Honor of the ADA's 26th Anniversary
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 The Governor's Commission on Disability hosted an Open House September 28th, commemorating the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition to exhibits by community agencies, guest speakers included Paul Drager, JD of MedEthics Counseling, Linda Johnson Esq. of McLane Middleton, and a service dog presentation by John Moon of The National Education for Assistance Dog Services, (NEADS).
Photo L-R: Colleen Durkin-Blackburn, Accessibility Specialist, Governor's Commission on Disability, Lorrie Ripley, CAP Ombudsman, Governor's Commission on Disability.
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Kathy Gips to Speak at ADACC State Conference October 28
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 The New England ADA Center's Kathy Gips will make two presentations at the ADA Coalition of Connecticut's (ADACC) State Conference in Newington, Connecticut. The first session will cover the responsibilities that municipalities have for effective communication under Title II of the ADA. The second session will review reasonable accommodations for employees.
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Pedestrian Safety Among Topics in Focus at Waterville, Maine Conference
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 During Maine's GrowSmart conference in downtown Waterville, demonstrations were conducted to increase awareness of disability issues including vision impairment, the use of wheeled mobility devices, and simple ways to modify driving lanes to make them pedestrian friendly. "This is to raise awareness about what it's like to live with a disability on the streets," said Jill Johanning, an architect and access specialist with the New England ADA Center's Maine affiliate, Alpha One.
Photo: Jill Johanning of Alpha One.
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Ridgefield, CT High School Student Swings a Golf Club for First Time Thanks to a Paramobile
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 When Ridgefield, Connecticut resident Christine Santori shared a video of her son Sean playing golf at Ridgefield Golf Course with the assistance of an adaptive golf device, the community responded with glowing comments. Thanks to local residents and the Stand Up and Play Foundation, a Paramobile is now available for use at Ridgefield Golf Course for golfers with mobility issues.
Photo: Sean Santori. Photo by Christine Santori, courtesy of Hamlet Hub.
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New England ADA Center and Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities Attend MOD's Disability Summit
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 Chris Rancourt Bruzzi of the Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities attended the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) 2016 Disability Summit with Oce Harrison and Kathy Gips of the New England ADA Center. Research presented was immediately usable. For example, data presented by Dr. Michelle Yin of the National Institute for Research indicating employees with disabilities earned 37% less than their peers without disabilities was incorporated into an ADA presentation delivered by Chris Rancourt Bruzzi at Brown University.
Photo L-R: Kathy Gips, Oce Harrison, Mathew Brault from the New England ADA Center, and Chris Rancourt Bruzzi from the Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities.
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USDA Honors Vermont Disability Rights Advocate Tyler Sweeten
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 Tyler Sweeten of Barre, Vermont, and VCIL employee since April of 2014, was honored by the USDA with their prestigious Gold Star Partner Award. Sweeten, who has firsthand experience living with a disability, works tirelessly to ensure that peers can maintain their homes and live independently within their communities. "I've never been nominated for anything. This is awesome," said Tyler.
Photo: From left are Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Tyler Sweeten, Ted Brady, USDA Rural Development Vermont and New Hampshire State Director, and VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville.
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VCIL Honors Down Home Kitchen
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 The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) recognized the Down Home Kitchen restaurant in Montpelier for its commitment to accessibility. Owner Mary Alice Proffitt received the Rosemary J. Miller Dining for All Award. In addition to the delicious cooking and baking, the bathroom and entrance are accessible, and the staff will read the menu for customers who are vision impaired.
Photo: Mary Alice Proffitt, left, was honored by the Vermont Center for Independent Living on Sept. 14. Also pictured are Rosemary Miller of Montpelier, center, and VCIL Executive Director Sarah Launderville.
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Oce Harrison to Speak at Talking Information Center Dinner November 3
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 Oce Harrison, Project Director at the New England ADA Center, will be a featured speaker at the Talking Information Center's (TIC) 24th annual dinner and fundraiser, on Thursday, November 3, in Scituate, Massachusetts. Register online to attend this exciting and informative event!
Photo: Oce Harrison, Project Director, New England ADA Center.
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Kathy Gips to Address New Bedford Housing Authority November 3
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On November 3, Kathy Gips, New England ADA Center's Director of Training, will address the New Bedford, Massachusetts Housing Authority regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
Is your housing authority interested in learning about the ADA and related laws? If so, contact Kathy Gips about your accessibility training needs.
Photo: Kathy Gips, Director of Training, New England ADA Center.
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Stacy Hart to Speak about Service Animals at the MEHA Education Seminar November 9
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 Stacy Hart, the New England ADA Center's ADA Trainer, Information and Outreach Specialist will speak at the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association's meeting in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Her topic will be service animals and the ADA with a particular focus on issues that relate to the food service industry.
Photo: Stacy Hart,
ADA Trainer, Information and Outreach Specialist, New England ADA Center.
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Kathy Gips to Present at ABX on ADA Updates and on the ADA and the Regulations of the Mass Architectural Access Board November 16
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Stacy Hart to Speak about the ADA and Transition-aged Youth Seeking Employment November 18
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 The New England ADA Center's Stacy Hart will be at the Assistive Technology Conference of New England in Warwick, Rhode Island on November 18 to speak about transition-aged youth seeking employment. The two-day event is sponsored by TechAccess of Rhode Island.
Photo: Stacy Hart,
ADA Trainer, Information and Outreach Specialist, New England ADA Center.
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NIDILRR to Visit Boston November 18 on Listening Tour - Come Help Shape Future Research!
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 The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) wants to hear from people living with disabilities, and on November 18, 2016, they will be visiting the Boston area to hold a listening session.
Want to influence the direction of future
NIDILRR
grant funding?
Come and tells us about:
- What issues (barriers) make it challenging for you to be an active member of your community?
- What improvements (name the top one or two) would make your daily life better?
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Governor Baker, MBTA Launch RIDE Pilot Program with Uber, Lyft
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 Governor Charlie Baker joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack, MBTA managers, disability advocates, and executives with Uber and Lyft to launch a first-of-its-kind innovative pilot program with ride-share companies to save costs and deliver customers of the MBTA's, THE RIDE, options for on-demand service through their smartphones.
Read the full story
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IHCD Receives Talking Information Center Network Radio
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The Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) is the recipient of the Talking Information Center's (TIC) new radio receiver. The radio receiver has one channel and tunes into live TIC radio programs 24/7. TIC provides information and resources to people with print impairments. You can also listen live on the web at:
www.TICNetwork.org
Photo L-R: Anna Dunbar, Assistant Director, TIC Network, Oce Harrison, Project Director, New England ADA Center and Jim Bunnell, Executive Director, TIC Network.
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News From Outside New England
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New SNAP Pilot Program Provides Grocery Delivery for Homebound Disabled, Elderly
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 For the first time, governmental and non-profit food purchasing and delivery services will be allowed to accept SNAP benefits as payment. This is expected to increase the opportunities for home delivery to those unable to shop for food.
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On November 16, the New England ADA Center's Kathy Gips will be a featured instructor in two sessions at ABX Boston, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Learn more about Sessions 
