A project of the Institute for Human Centered Design
February 2022 Newsletter
ADA Question of the Month
Question: My wife and I are sick of winter. We are planning a trip to Florida to escape shoveling any more snow; at least for a couple weeks. Years ago I fell down a short flight of stairs. Since then, I’ve had difficulty walking and climbing stairs. I’ve found some hotels that may be perfect for where we want to stay, but I’m not sure if they have accessible rooms available. I have not been able to identify any such rooms when I go to make a reservation through their system online either. Hotels are supposed to have accessible rooms, correct?

The answer is at the end of the newsletter.
Just for Laughs
Title: What to disclose at a job interview. Two people sit at a desk.  The interviewee is thinking, "Should I tell him about my learning disability?" The Interviewer is thinking, "Should I tell him I'm slow reading his resume because I'm dyslexic?"
Regional News
Massachusetts: Offering Buprenorphine Medication to People with Opioid Use Disorder in Jail May Reduce Recidivism
Off white prison bars stretch into the distance.
A recent study found that people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were incarcerated and received a medication approved to treat OUD were less likely to face re-arrest and reconviction after release. The medications commonly used are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. A growing body of evidence suggests that medications used to treat OUD hold great potential to improve outcomes among individuals after they are released.

Image source: file photo.
Demands for Accessibility Could Benefit All on University Campus in Maine
Snow covered sidewalk leads to a building shrouded in leafless trees.
The first day of the 2022 spring semester at the University of Maine opened in chaos. Students found themselves forced to traverse thick layers of ice without salt or sand on their way to class. Students proposed that If disabled students were to be considered first when preparing for weather events and designing features of the campus, such as proactively treating walkways before class times, all students would see improvements in their experience.

Image source: image courtesy of Flickr.
National News
DOJ Finds that Pennsylvania Courts Discriminated Against People with Opioid Use Disorder
US Department of Justice seal
The Justice Department found that the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, through the actions of its component courts, violated the ADA by prohibiting or limiting the use of disability-related medication to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) by individuals under court supervision. The letter of findings demands that Pennsylvania addresses the civil rights violations identified during the course of the investigation.

DOJ Secures Agreement to Make Online COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Accessible at Kroger Grocery Chain
Exterior of the Department of Justice viewed from below looking up to see American Flags and trees.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it has secured a settlement agreement with The Kroger Co. (Kroger) under the ADA that will eliminate barriers preventing people with certain disabilities from getting information about COVID-19 vaccinations and booking their vaccination appointments online. The COVID-19 vaccine registration portal for Kroger-branded stores was not accessible to people who use screen reading software.

Image source: file photo.
Amtrak Pays Over $2 Million to Individuals in Disability Settlement
Amtrak - words above with blue and white lines below to indicate rails going into the distance.
The Department of Justice announced that Amtrak paid over $2 million to more than 1,500 individuals who experienced disability discrimination while traveling or attempting to travel by train. The payments were part of a comprehensive settlement agreement reached on Dec. 2, 2020, to resolve the United States’ determination that Amtrak failed for over a decade to make existing stations in its intercity rail transportation system accessible to people with disabilities.

COVID-19 and the ADA: Updates for Streateries and Medical Setting Visitor Policies
Diners eat in outside dining area along a busy city street.
The U.S. Department of Justice added information to their COVID-19 and ADA guidance. This latest round of guidance addresses outdoor eating areas and hospital visitation. As the pandemic evolved government agencies needed to monitor and update their guidance to the public. In the current updates, the guidance delves into mask wearing policies, service animals, and visitation rules.
Image source: image courtesy of Flickr.
At-home Coronavirus Tests are Inaccessible to Blind People
Syringe, test strip, and swab for covid at-home test kit.
People across the country have begun to receive their free Covid-19, at home test kits. The test requires precise placement of drops into very small spaces. For many people who are blind or have low vision the tests are inaccessible. The inability to self-test is leading to greater isolation. Alternate types of tests are being proposed to improve the frequency and accessibility of at-home testing.

Image source: image courtesy of Flickr.
Limits on Virtual Addiction Treatment May Soon Return, Making Care Harder to Access
Rural America with a white farm house and red barn in the distance with a leafy colorful hill in the background.
People in rural parts of New England may be miles away from treatment centers for opioid use disorder (OUD). Treatment centers or mental health professionals are scarce in rural areas of the United States. Individuals have reported lengthy waiting times for appointments, which were delayed further by the pandemic. The relaxation of prescription rules for medications related to OUD allowed for people to find treatment in other parts of the country. As the pandemic progresses, rules may change, which will affect the availability of medication for the treatment of addiction.

Image source: image courtesy of maxpixel.net.
Report: Behavioral Health and COVID-19 - Higher-Risk Populations and Related Federal Relief Funding
The dome of the house of congress lit up at night.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis—such as increased social isolation, stress, and unemployment—have intensified concerns about the number of people in the U.S. affected by behavioral health conditions: mental health and substance use disorders. Six populations were cited by most stakeholders as being at higher risk of such behavioral health effects for a range of reasons. A recent government report shows that the COVID-19 relief funds for behavioral health, as awarded through six programs, could generally serve the identified high-risk populations.

Image source: image courtesy of MOAA.org
The Pandemic Has Highlighted the Need for Accessible Technology in Government
Person with a disability uses a cellphone and tablet with accessible technology.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed a great deal about how state and local governments operate, with many agencies expanding digital services. However, with governments turning increasingly to remote work, virtual meetings, and online service delivery, the pandemic has also shown the shortcomings of such solutions and technologies for those with disabilities. One positive result was that people with disabilities found greater opportunity to participate in meetings or events. However, many found that accessibility tools were lacking for many virtual platforms.

Image source: file photo.
VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competitions
Music notes on the left and theater masks on the right. Silhouette of couple dancing in the center.
High school students are invited to explore the disability experience through the art of writing for performance. Young writers, ages 15-18, with disabilities and collaborative groups that include students with disabilities are encouraged to submit short works written to be performed: plays, spoken word poetry (for single performer or a group), or music theater. Multiple winners will receive access to participate in virtual professional development activities provided by the Kennedy Center. Deadline is Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Events
The Intersection of Race and Disability
images of people in different colors.
Tuesday, February 15
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
The lived experience of disability varies, both among people with disabilities and among racial and ethnic groups. Dr. Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term “Intersectionality” to describe the experience of living with multiple identities. While there has been conversation about some intersections (like race and gender) there have been other experiences that are often overlooked. This session will look at the experience of people of color who have disabilities. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the speaker questions following the presentation.

Built to Scale - Scaling Up Evidence-Based Health Interventions
Figure in light blue shirt with blue tie holds a book open where a lightbulb appears as an idea.
Wednesday, February 16
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
The NIDILRR-funded Research and Education to Support the Science of Independent Living for Inclusion and Engagement: National Center of Excellence RRTC will host a webinar, Built to Scale: Scaling Up Evidence-Based Health Interventions. Presenters will discuss one of the most complex questions around scaling up an intervention: Why do some great ideas make it big while others fail to take off? Registration is free and required. Previous Built to Scale webinars are archived on the website.

Image source: image courtesy of Pxhere.com.
Breast Cancer Webinar for Women Who Are Blind
Accessible Pharmacy logo has a rising sun over the words.
Friday, February 25
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind will host a webinar to discuss accessible breast cancer information, detection and prevention for blind women and their families. Expert presenters include: Dr. Kim Kubek, MD: Pennsylvania Diagnostic Breast Cancer Center and breastcancer.org; Dr. Kristen Capece, PharmD, BCGP: Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind; and Dr. Jill Lykon, PharmD, BCOP: University of Miami Hospital. This webinar will have captioning and a live ASL interpreter.

ACL to host TBI Stakeholder Day 2022
Administration for Community Living
Tuesday, March 8
12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) will host the annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Stakeholder Day, March 8th, 12-4:30 pm ET. The virtual event will bring stakeholders together to discuss important issues around TBI services, supports, and systems. The event will give attendees an opportunity to learn from other stakeholders, brain injury survivors, family members, support networks, and state and federal representatives. Registration is free and required. This event will be live-captioned and ASL-interpreted.

JAN Webinar on Accommodation Solutions for Executive Functioning Deficits
JAN, The Job Accommodation Network.
Thursday, March 17
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Executive functions are high-level mental processes or abilities that influence and direct more basic abilities like attention and memory. Join the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Cognitive/Neurological Team consultants Melanie Whetzel and Alexis Popa for a discussion about accommodation solutions. They will address limitations affecting attention, time management, memory, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and getting to work on time. Questions can be submitted in advance. This event was rescheduled from March 10.

Save the Date: ADA, Addiction and Recovery Webinar
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
Thursday, April 14
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET
Microsoft TEAMS Webinar
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the New England ADA Center and the ADA Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC) are co-sponsoring this webinar. The free event is open to DMHAS providers and individuals interested in learning how ADA protects the rights of people with disabilities, which includes people in recovery from alcohol use disorder and substance use disorders. The presenters: Oce Harrison, Ed.D Project Director, and Stacy Hart, ADA Specialist at the New England ADA Center are nationally known experts on the ADA, addiction, and recovery. If you need disability related modifications contact Bill Pierce (860-418-6933) as soon as possible.

2022 National ADA Symposium - Virtual
2022 National ADA Symposium in white letters on a red background.
May 10 - 13
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT
Zoom Webinars
The Great Plains ADA Center and the ADA National Network announce the launch of the 2022 National ADA Symposium in a virtual format. The five-day training event offers 51 sessions covering all areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act presented by nationally recognized experts in issues related to the ADA. The symposium has a highly flexible schedule to meet attendee needs. The symposium will offer several continuing education credits for certain approved courses.

Answer to the ADA Question of the Month
Answer: New or extensively renovated hotels are required to provide accessible rooms. Other elements like parking, routes, entrances, service counters, hotel restaurants, swimming pools, and other amenities need to be accessible as well. Since 1993, businesses have an obligation for "readily achievable barrier removal," which is to make improvements to their accessibility over time. IRS tax credits and deductions are available to help defray some of the costs for accessibility improvements. The hotel’s reservation system is required to identify their accessible rooms and allow you to book such rooms through that system and any contracted third party avenues. You should be able to find descriptions of the property’s accessible features and guest rooms so you can decide if the hotel will meet your needs. The ADA requires that you be given the same opportunity to book your room during the same hours and through the same methods as anyone else. Learn more about this topic with the ADA National Network’s fact sheet on Accessible Lodging.
Do you have an ADA Question?
Call 800-949-4232 (voice), 711 (TTY relay) or email: ADAinfo@ihcdesign.org
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We strive to ensure the Newsletter and the content we share is accessible. Unfortunately we have limited control of external websites. Please email us at ADAinfo@IHCDesign.org if you encounter any issues accessing the newsletter or related content.

Access New England features topics related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), originating from the ADA Center, our state affiliates, the ADA National Network, and national sources.

The New England ADA Center is a member of the ADA National Network funded by the Administration for Community Living through National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Grant  90DPAD0011.