Question: I applied for a job recently. Part of the application process required a medical exam. They said I wouldn’t be accepted to the program if I didn’t do the examination. During the exam, the doctor asked me, “Are you taking any prescription drugs?” I was prescribed a medication to help my recovery from addiction to opioids, so I said, “Yes, Suboxone.” Doesn’t the ADA protect me from answering questions like this? 

The answer is at the end of the newsletter.

Thursday August 11 and

Thursday September 8

6:00 p.m. – 7 p.m. EDT

Zoom Webinar

The Arc of Massachusetts and its partners recently announced two upcoming nonpartisan Virtual Disability Forums for the Democratic and Republican candidates running for both Governor and Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The forums will be an opportunity to hear candidates speak and answer questions about issues important to the disability community. Register at the links below or email [email protected].

Register for the August 11th Attorney General’s Forum.

Register for the September 8th Governor’s Forum.

Tuesday, August 16

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT

Zoom Webinar

People with cognitive disabilities (such as intellectual, learning, communication, autism, ADHD, and psychiatric disabilities) face numerous barriers to maximizing their health and full potential. Learn how reasonable modifications of policies, practices, and procedures ensure people with cognitive disabilities have access to the care they need. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the speakers following the presentation.

Register for Health Care Access for Patients with Cognitive Disabilities.

Wednesday, August 24th,

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT

Twitter Chat

The ADA National Network will be hosting a chat on Education and the ADA just in time for back-to-school season. They will be cover the top most frequently asked questions about higher education and the ADA. Make sure you attend to get all your questions about your rights under the ADA answered before the school year begins.

Education and the ADA Twitter Chat.

October 12 - 13

Alexandria, Virginia

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center will host ADACon 2022!, which is a comprehensive conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia. The in-person conference offers attendees the opportunity to select from over 30 breakout sessions, network with other professionals with similar interests and concerns, and earn continuing education hours for professional development requirements. Conference session topics will cover ADA implementation and disability inclusion. A limited capacity pre-conference will be held Tuesday, October 11. Save $50 during early bird registration! Conference registration fee is $600 through August 8.

Register for 29th Annual Mid-Atlantic ADA Center’s ADA Conference.

Thursday, October 27

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom Webinar and

Live event, Somerville, MA

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) announces disability rights lawyer, author, and pioneer in both the digital accessibility legal space and in collaborative problem-solving Lainey Feingold as keynote for this year’s summit. Since 1995, she negotiated several ground-breaking settlement agreements – all without filing a single lawsuit. She was recognized as both the Problem Solver of the Year and a Legal Rebel by the American Bar Association. Lainey is committed to MOD's vision of a more accessible digital world, and they are excited to welcome her as this year's keynote speaker.

Register for MOD: Accessibility in a Digital World – Disability Summit.

Image source: image courtesy of MOD.

Massachusetts state colleges and universities will now include individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. The law includes provisions that remove barriers precluding persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism from participating in higher education. Individuals with ID and autism who cannot pass MCAS and who do not obtain a regular high school diploma can participate as non-matriculating students in courses with their nondisabled peers and participate in extracurricular activities and other aspects of campus life, with supports and services necessary to facilitate inclusion.

New Law Opening the Doors to Inclusive Higher Education for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Image source: image courtesy of Rawpixel.

The New England ADA Center won top honors in the ADA Jeopardy 2022 Finals, hosted by the Great Lakes ADA Center on July 25th, with the Southeast ADA Regional Center placing second. Players from both teams tested their knowledge of the ADA, presenting their answers in the form of a question. Viewers can watch archived videos from the first round and the final round to learn more about the ADA and test their own knowledge about this important civil rights law.

New England ADA Center Wins Top Spot in ADA Jeopardy!

Image source: Image courtesy of the Great Lakes ADA Center.

The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities is seeking applicants to fill two state government unclassified positions by mid-September. The positions are: Assistant ADA Coordinator for Accessibility and Assistant ADA Coordinator for Employment and Services. The position will require: ”Ensuring compliance with federal and state disability rights laws, by providing information and technical assistance, investigating complaints, in ‘the area of specialization’ under the jurisdiction of the Commission, and doing related work as required.” Individuals interested in applying should email [email protected] and include in the subject line “New ADA Coordinators.”

Rhode Island Governor’s Commission on Disabilities Seeks to Fill Two Assistant ADA Coordinator Positions.

Recently officials and representatives from the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) toured town buildings as part of an audit and update of Bennington’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, which was first adopted in 1995. The Recreation Center, Bennington Firehouse, the Police Department building, the town offices and the Senior Center were checked for noncompliant areas. Select Board Chairperson Jeannie Jenkins stated, “This process is very important to us, and we have truly appreciated [VCIL’s] expertise, and the time their staff and peers have taken to help us look at town buildings with fresh eyes.”

Bennington, Vermont Making Sure its Buildings are Accessible to People with Disabilities

Image source: image courtesy of Flickr by Charlie Kellogg.

Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council (VTSILC) and Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) held a congressional forum on July 26 at Capitol Plaza. The forum included: Sen. Becca Balint, Sianay Clifford, Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, Liam Madden and Ericka Redic. The date was important as it was the 32nd Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Questions around disability justice were solicited from advocates and peers in advance. During the ADA Celebration, VCIL presented Izabel Estrin of Putney, Hannah Gallivan of Bristol and Sean Plumer of Huntington with the Deborah Lisi-Baker Youth Leader Award.

Vermont Disability Advocates Focus on Disability Rights to Note 32nd Anniversary of the ADA

Image source: image courtesy of VCIL by Nick Morlan.

Peter Johnke, deputy director at the Vermont Center for Independent Living, which is an affiliate of the New England ADA Center, joins ‘Across the Fence’ host Fran Stoddard for their episode of “Increased Access & Opportunity: The Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” The program celebrates the 32nd year of the ADA. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed in 1990 by President Bush. Johnke reviews the importance of the civil rights legislation. He goes on discuss some of the foundations of the ADA like the different titles, the definition of disability, and reasonable accommodations. Johnke also clarifies different misconceptions of the ADA.

VCIL’s Peter Johnke Discusses the ADA ‘Across the Fence.’

Many health care providers and patients turned to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a more accepted way to provide and receive health care services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are committed to ensuring that health care providers who use telehealth, including telehealth that is available 24/7, do so in a nondiscriminatory manner. The guidance, explains how various federal laws require making telehealth accessible for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency.

New Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth.

EEOC recently updated a number of Q&As in July. It included section A.6 of the guidance, which is the discussion on conducting medical examinations related to worksite COVID-19 viral screening testing. The EEOC makes clear that going forward employers will need to assess whether current pandemic circumstances and individual workplace circumstances justify viral screening testing of employees to prevent workplace transmission of COVID-19. This change is not meant to suggest that such testing is or is not warranted.

EEOC Updates Guidance Related to COVID-19.

988 is now active across the United States. The new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

988, the New Three-Digit Mental Health and Suicide Lifeline Debuts in the U.S.

Image source: image courtesy of 988lifeline.org.

President Biden noted the significance on the creation of the ADA, the nation’s first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. He recognized that the ADA has been a driving force in moving America closer to the promise of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for the 61 million individuals with disabilities in the country. The President stated that he will keep working to eliminate barriers to inclusion and equitable access in our society.

President Biden’s Proclamation on the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Department of Justice filed in court today a multi-million-dollar settlement agreement with Uber Technologies Inc. (Uber) to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Uber violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement, Uber will offer several million dollars in compensation to more than 65,000 Uber users who were charged discriminatory fees due to disability. According to the complaint, in April 2016, Uber began charging passengers wait time fees in a number of cities, eventually expanding the policy nationwide.

Uber Commits to Changes and Pays Millions to Resolve Justice Department Lawsuit for Overcharging People with Disabilities.

The U.S. Access Board released technical assistance document that reviews existing requirements and new recommendations for making electric vehicle (EV) charging stations accessible. This technical assistance will aid in the development of a national network of EV charging stations that are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The technical assistance is a valuable resource for those involved in the planning, designing, building, installing, and use of EV charging stations.

U.S. Access Board Issues Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

Image source: image courtesy of the U.S. Access Board.

According to a new study the nation’s per capita supply of methadone fell 20% from the first quarter of 2020. Reductions in the per capita methadone supply occurred across 35 states and the District of Columbia. Florida and New Hampshire both experienced the largest decreases at nearly 50%. Policy experts see this as a red flag since the decrease of methadone was not replaced with buprenorphine. The authors also posit that the decrease could be an indication there may be inadequate access to effective interventions.

Study: Supplies of a Drug Meant to Fight Opioid Addiction Fell During the Pandemic.

Image source: image courtesy of Flickr by Josh Estey.