A project of the Institute for Human Centered Design |
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ADA Question of the Month |
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Question: We represent a rural county in northern Vermont with a group of tight knit farming communities. The county wants to plan a festival that celebrates the farming heritage in the region. What factors should we consider in our planning to ensure accessibility for our “Farm Days?”
The answer is at the end of the newsletter.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles Disability Discrimination Complaint with Skilled Nursing Facility |
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights reached an agreement with The Oaks, a skilled nursing facility, in New Bedford MA, to resolve an allegation that the facility denied admission to individuals being treated with medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in violation of the ADA. The complaint alleges that a hospital requested an available bed for a patient in need of skilled nursing services. The Oaks refused admittance because he was prescribed Suboxone a medication to treat OUD.
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Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture Opportunity Fund Deadline Approaches |
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The Opportunity Fund provides grants that support meaningful one-time opportunities for artists of all artistic backgrounds and disciplines, teaching artists, creative workers, and cultural practitioners living in the city of Boston to further develop their career or help provide high-quality community art experiences throughout the city of Boston. The application for the current round of funding is open. The deadline to apply is January 28, at 5:00 p.m.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Settles Disability Discrimination Allegations with Massachusetts Parole Board |
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has reached an agreement with the Massachusetts Parole Board to resolve allegations that the Parole Board violated the ADA by discriminating against individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). The agreement resolves complaints that the Parole Board discriminated against parolees and prospective parolees with SUD taking Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). According to the complaints, the Parole Board required certain parolees with SUD to take a specific form of MOUD as a condition of parole instead of requiring them to comply with their health care provider’s recommended treatment.
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BCIL and DPC Consumer Reopening Survey |
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The pandemic continues, which now includes the Omicron variant, and the state of Massachusetts is considering re-opening during the ongoing pandemic,. The Boston Center for Independent Living and the Disability Policy Consortium wants to hear from you about your COVID-19 experiences. They want to learn more about your biggest concerns when it comes to returning to in-person services or interactions. Your anonymous responses will be used to inform policymakers about the safety concerns of the disability community.
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Waterbury, Connecticut to Ensure that Polling Stations are Accessible to People with Mobility Disabilities |
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Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the government has reached a settlement agreement with the City of Waterbury to ensure that people with disabilities can physically access polling locations. The settlement agreement resolves a complaint stating that the City of Waterbury used polling sites that were inaccessible to people with disabilities. The investigation determined that certain polling locations in Waterbury did not fully comply with the ADA, including excessively sloped parking areas, narrow doorways, steep ramps, and inaccessible door hardware.
Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons..
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As Overdose Deaths Soar, White House Announces Harm Reduction Program |
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There were 100,306 confirmed drug overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021, according to CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. With opioid-driven drug overdoses reaching record levels, the White House has turned away from punishment and toward treatment. Recently, officials announced the first-ever Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Harm Reduction grant program, set to provide $30 million to fund harm reduction programs throughout the United States.
Image source: file photo.
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U.S. Access Board Commends Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for New Accessible Routes |
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In December, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of new sloped walkways for accessible entry on the National Mall side of the 111-year-old building. Previously, the museum entrance from the National Mall only provided a staircase that caused those with disabilities to navigate around the building to the Constitution Avenue entrance. Now, two new sloped walkways provide greater access to museum patrons. The walkways are sloped between 1-3% and are eight feet wide, which permits space for two-way pedestrian traffic.
Image source: image courtesy of the U.S. Access Board.
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Disabled community 'left behind' in vaccine rollout one year later |
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Disabled people are struggling to access vaccinations. The CDC reports that disabled adults were more likely to endorse the vaccine as protection against COVID, but are more likely to report difficulties in getting vaccinated than did adults without a disability. Hundreds to thousands of calls come in to the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) each week from disabled people across the country with questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, testing spots and more. DIAL Is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and the CDC but is being run by USAging and other disability advocacy networks.
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Mastercard Introduces Accessible Card for Blind and Partially Sighted People |
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Mastercard extends its commitment to inclusivity by introducing a new accessible card standard for blind and partially sighted people, called the Touch Card. With the new Touch Card, Mastercard has improved upon a current design standard by introducing a system of notches on the side of the card to help consumers to distinguish it between a credit, debit, or prepaid card.
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2022 New Years Resolutions For The Disability Community |
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Last year was a challenging year for many, but people with disabilities were especially impacted. Looking at the year ahead, Forbes magazine contributor Andrew Pulrang elaborates on a set of New Year resolutions for the disability community as a whole. This year’s focus is to be on Covid-19, voting, home care, disability policy and culture.
Image source: image courtesy of Flickr by Maro Verch.
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Making Tech Accessible for Disabled and Nondisabled People In Conversation with Haben Girma and Rachel Arfa |
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Disability advocates Haben Girma and Rachel Arfa speak with tech leader Brenda D. Wilkerson on how the tech sector can be leaders in change. The article discusses steps the tech industry can make to remove barriers, allowing disabled people to work and learn alongside nondisabled colleagues and students.
Image source: file photo.
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Remembering Senator Robert Dole 1923-2021 |
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Senator Dole was instrumental in the passage of the ADA and a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. A veteran of the Second World War, Senator Dole sustained injuries resulting in an impairment. His personal experience as a veteran with a disability informed his life-long commitment to advancing opportunities and equality for people with disabilities. Senator Dole considered the ADA to be his greatest achievement.
Image source: image courtesy of Picryl.
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Recognizing Stephen Hawking's Birthday with Hope |
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Theoretical physicist, Stephen William Hawking was born in England on Jan. 8, 1942. His birth coincides 300 years to the day after the death of the astronomer Galileo Galilei. Hawking would go on to study the universe and our place in it. In recognition of Hawking’s birthday, Google noted the day in his honor with a doodle. Using Hawking’s own words, the doodle furthers his message of courage and hope.
Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Participate: All of Us Research Program Seeking Input from You |
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All of Us is a research program from the National Institutes of Health. It is seeking one million or more people from across the U.S. By doing so, NIH hopes to one day help speed up medical research. People who join will share information about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. By looking for patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health. The goal is to have it be inclusive of minorities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability) so the research reflects the diversity of the United States.
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Accessible Technology on Smartphones and Tablets for Users with Hearing, Cognitive, and Mobility Disabilities |
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Tuesday, January 18
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Join the ADA National Network and the Great Lakes ADA Center for a second session highlighting accessible technology on smartphones and tablets for persons with disabilities. In the session, speakers will highlight mobile apps to improve independence for users with hearing, cognitive and mobility disabilities. There will be time following the presentation for questions.
Image source: file photo.
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Top ADA Cases of 2021 Webinar |
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Wednesday, January 19
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
2021 was a year of reopening, new or revised mandates as well as a new administration. This legal webinar will review key 2021 ADA decisions under all Titles of the ADA, and discuss their potential implications on future ADA litigation. Start the New Year off right with a better understanding of the most important ADA cases decided in 2021 and the implications that they may have for the future.
Image source: file photo.
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The Wonderful World of Audio Description in 2022 |
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Thursday, January 25
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make their information and communication technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities. Planning for accessibility needs to be a part of the development and lifecycle plan of any ICT project, including video and multimedia projects. These types of projects can be accessible by providing audio description or sometimes referred to as video description, which is used by persons who are blind or have low vision.
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Shame: A Long Ignored Key in Substance Use Disorders |
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Wednesday, January 26
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
Shame is rarely discussed, and it thrives in silence. In the session the presenter will address how substance use professionals can become comfortable raising issues of shame and how to safely work with clients on their shame. The presenter will also share the four elements of Shame Resilience Theory to build resilience by connecting people’s authentic selves and cultivating meaningful relationships with other people.
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U.S. Access Board Webinar on Accessibly Signage |
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Thursday, February 3
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Zoom Webinar
What type of signs are covered by the ADA and ABA Standards? Which ones must be tactile? Are signs required where none are planned? These are just some of the questions that frequently come up when addressing access to signs under the ADA and ABA. This session will review the new bulletin and requirements for tactile signs, directional and information signs, required accessibility symbols, and pictograms. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning.
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2022 Winter ADA Coordinator Virtual Conference |
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February 7 - 9
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT
Zoom Webinars
The 3-day virtual training offers multiple sessions covering different aspects and Titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The conference is offered over 3 days. ASL Interpreters and Real-Time Captioning (CART) will be provided for all sessions. This training also provides options to earn certificates. Specific sessions have been approved for AIA-HSW credits.
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Breast Cancer Webinar for Women Who Are Blind |
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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.
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Answer to the ADA Question of the Month |
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Answer: Consider how people with a variety of disabilities could participate in the event. Select a site that is relatively level and has a surface that is stable, firm, and slip resistant. Other factors should be considered: accessible parking, accessible routes, and service/support facilities. When a person with a mobility disability arrives, they’ll need an accessible route to the areas of activities, seating, vendors, food trucks. While there, people should be able to access and use facilities like restrooms. In staging an accessible event, provide good signage for wayfinding.
Communication needs to be effective for people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, which may require making arrangements for auxiliary aids and services such as a sign language interpreter a head of time. Provide print material, such as programs, in large print. We recommend a simple 18 point font.
Vendors, volunteers and staff may need training or information on ADA obligations and disability etiquette. For example they should welcome people with non-apparent disabilities such as autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who may behave in a way that makes people uncomfortable. They should know that service animals are permitted even if other animals aren’t. Be sure to Involve people with disabilities in event planning.
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Do you have an ADA Question?
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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 [email protected] 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.
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