A project of the Institute for Human Centered Design |
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ADA Question of the Month |
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Question: I run a campground in Northern Maine. People come to our location for a quiet wilderness experience. I have a request from a possible customer to allow them the use of a golf cart because it helps them get to the bath house, the lake, and camp store. I’m afraid that everyone will want to bring a golf cart. Furthermore, I’m afraid it will drive away other customers that were looking forward to the silence of nature. Can we ban golf carts?
The answer is at the end of the newsletter.
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Disability in Hollywood, a Conversation with Producer and Lead Cast Members of Award-winning Musical 'Best Summer Ever' |
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On July 22, at 12:00 p.m. the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) International Webcast will be showcasing the newly released, award-winning “Best Summer Ever” musical to celebrate the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
They will be joined by our guests, lead actors Shannon DeVido and Rickey Wilson Jr., as well as their former IHCD intern, Andrew Pilkington, the co-producer/co-screenwriter of the film. The event will feature a showing of "Bigger Than Us - The Making of "Best Summer Ever;" and include conversations with DeVido, Wilson, and Pilkington. They will discuss their experience on set, the significance of this film, and the reach of its intended impact.
The musical starts off with a sweet summer camp love story that unexpectedly intertwines with high school drama, an illegal secret, and a quintessential teen identity crisis. T he full movie, "Best Summer Ever" is available on the following platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Vudu, Apple TV, Google Play.
Registration for this event is free and required. Closed captioning will be provided. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at [email protected].
This webcast is part of the IHCD International Inclusive Design Webcast Series in Memory of Eliza Forrest Kaye Bromfield.
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City of Boston Celebrates the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with 'ADA Day 2021' |
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Mayor Janey invites people to celebrate the anniversary of the ADA on Thursday, July 29th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be food and music. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in the civic engagement fair. This year's event will include a COVID19 vaccination clinic from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments and walk-ups are welcome. The event is wheelchair accessible. ASL and CART will be provided. To request additional accommodations contact the city at 617-635-3682 or email [email protected].
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Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (MASILC) to Hold ADA 31 Virtual Celebration |
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On Friday, July 23rd from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., MASILC invites you to join them in a virtual event to celebrate the 31st anniversary signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be submissions from Youth with Disabilities for Art and the ADA. The event will feature an ADA Past Present and Future interview and a panel discussion on independent living and anti-racism. ASL and CART have been requested. Registration is free and required.
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Newington, Connecticut 2021 Summer Concert Series to Celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) |
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The Newington Parks and Recreation department will start its Edythe and Harry Mandell 2021 summer concert series. To celebrate the 31st anniversary of the ADA organizers will note the significance of the day. The event will take place at Mill Pond Park on Thursday July 22nd from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Daily Planet will perform.
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New England ADA Center 31st Anniversary of the ADA webpage |
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On July 26th, we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There are events around New England that commemorate the anniversary of the ADA, which is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability. We celebrate how far we’ve come while recognizing that there is work to be done.
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Great Lakes ADA Center and the ADA National Network Mark the 31st Anniversary of the ADA.
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Celebrate the 31st Anniversary of the ADA on Tuesday, July 20th at 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network will host a webinar titled "ADA Anniversary Update," featuring Amanda Maisels, Deputy Chief, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice and Sharon Rennert, Senior Attorney Advisor, ADA/Gina Division, Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Speakers will provide an update on their litigation, technical assistance, and enforcement efforts. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community. Registration is free and required - registration deadline is Monday, July 19th.
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ADA National Network Launches 30th Anniversary Celebration |
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The ADA National Network (ADANN) serves as the primary source of information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the United States. Annually, their services impact 2.8 million people with disabilities, their families, employers, private business, and state and local government stakeholders.
They are celebrating 30 years of providing training, technical assistance, and guidance on the ADA. Throughout the year, the ADANN will be highlighting its services, success stories, and vision for the next 30 years.
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5 Things People With Autism and Their Caregivers Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines |
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People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have had unique burdens during the pandemic. “COVID-19 has been devastating to the autism community, as well as the greater intellectual and developmental disability community,” says Christopher Banks, the president of the Autism Society of America. “We’ve seen service interruptions, failure of the education system to provide services, isolation, and we've even seen higher death rates.”
People with developmental disabilities such as autism are more than three times as likely to die following a diagnosis of COVID-19 than others, according to a recent report. Experts say people with autism should get a vaccination as soon as possible.
Image source: image courtesy of Everyday Health by iStock.
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Workers with Disabilities Were Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, but Stayed Engaged in the Labor Force |
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A recent report looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected employment for workers with disabilities between February 2020 and January 2021. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 has had a profound impact on the labor force and the economy in general. This is true for people with and without disabilities. Between February and April of 2020, individuals with and without disabilities had nearly identical relative reduction in the percentage of people employed (15.5% vs. 15.1%, respectively). During this period, the percentage of people unemployed rose from 3% to 6.5% for individuals with disabilities and 2.9% to 10.5% for individuals without disabilities.
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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Launched Disability Information and Access Hotline |
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HHS launched the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) to help people with disabilities find COVID-19 vaccination locations in their communities, make appointments, and connect to local services - such as transportation services. The hotline can also provide information and resources to answer questions about the vaccines. Callers can also receive information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation. DIAL was created through a partnership between the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DIAL is available toll-free at 888/677-1199 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, or by email at [email protected].
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New England ADA Center's ADA and COVID-19 Webpage |
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People with disabilities have a right of participation in society even during a pandemic. We have collected resources to help people understand their ADA rights during the pandemic. Read more about how the ADA relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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50 Housing Vouchers Available to Enable Nursing Home Transition in Massachusetts |
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The Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) is partnering with Independent Living Centers across Massachusetts and the Disability Policy Consortium to link people coming out of skilled nursing facilities with housing vouchers designed to support the transition to the community. This pilot program will supply 50 rental assistance vouchers from the Alternative Housing Voucher Program to eligible residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities to live in the community. If more than 50 eligible people apply, a lottery will be held to determine who will receive vouchers. You may be eligible to receive affordable housing through this pilot program if you are: 59 or younger, a person with a disability, low-income, AND a resident of a skilled nursing facility. You can request the application be sent to you via mail by calling 617-338-6665. For assistance or further information on this program, please contact Gabby Lukas ([email protected]) or Keriesha Aiken ([email protected])
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People Who Use Wheelchairs Sue the City of Boston Over the Poor State of the City's Curb Ramps |
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Recently, three residents and a frequent visitor to Boston filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging the state of curb ramps in the city is so poor they often have difficulty getting around the city, in violation of the Americans with Disability Act. In their suit, filed in US District court, the four are seeking to become the lead plaintiffs in a class action on behalf of all people with mobility issues who live in or visit Boston.
Image source: image courtesy of Flickr by Emmanuel Huybrechts.
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NH Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD) Promotes the Granite State’s Savings Plan for People with Disabilities |
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Chuck Saia, the Executive Director of the GCD, and co-administrator with the State Treasurer of New Hampshire’s ABLE plan, recently announced STABLE NH has 529 enrollees and $4.1 million in assets. He added, “It is exhilarating to see how many qualified individuals with disabilities in New Hampshire are taking advantage of the benefits of a STABLE NH account.” The tax-free savings plan is offered to New Hampshire residents with disabilities for disability-related expenses.
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Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) 35th Anniversary Celebration |
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In July, MCDHH will celebrate 35 years of providing accessible communication, education, and advocacy to consumers and private and public entities so that programs, services, and opportunities throughout Massachusetts are fully accessible to persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. They will have an opening event on July 21st at 5:35 p.m., with other celebrations taking place throughout the year.
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Legally Blind Hiker Conquers Maine's Highest Peak |
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Vision Rehab Therapist-Assistant, Sara Nicols, has now summited Maine’s tallest peak, Mount Katahdin after starting to hike only seven months ago. “All of Katahdin can be overwhelming, but if I just slow it down and take it one step at a time and focus on enjoying it for each step, I’m able to do it,” she said. She says she plans on climbing all 67 of the over 4,000-foot mountains in New England.
Images source: image courtesy of WGME.
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New England ADA Center is Open and Provides Webinars on the Americans with Disabilities Act |
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During this pandemic, compliance with the ADA is even more critical whether you are a municipality, non-profit organization, state agency or business. We are open for business and here to take your ADA questions. Let us help you ensure that everyone can participate in your services. The New England ADA Center provides webinars on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact us at 800-949-4232 or [email protected] with your questions or to request a training.
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Registration Closes Soon for the 2021 National ADA Symposium |
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Due to the pandemic, organizers are offering a hybrid event. Registrants have the option to attend an on-site conference in Phoenix, AZ or a virtual conference or both. The Phoenix ADA Symposium is a 3-day event with multiple concurrent sessions to select from each day. It will feature Haben Girma, as the Keynote speaker. Hurry, the virtual symposium registration deadline is July 19th. The in person symposium registration deadline is over.
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Department of Justice Invites Feedback on Their New Website |
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ADA.gov, maintained by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, has invited visitors to explore and provide feedback on an in-progress version of an improved website, with the goal of making the site more user friendly. The beta site currently includes an introduction to the ADA and an article on service animals, and will add a topic article on parking soon. Visitors are invited to provide feedback on the site's design and usability through a brief form.
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Fact Sheet: Addiction, Recovery and State and Local Governments |
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The ADA National Network has released the third factsheet in our ‘ADA, Addiction, and Recovery’ series! Learn more about how the ADA applies to state and local governments for people with addiction to alcohol and people in recovery from opioids and other drugs. Examples include the criminal justice system (jails, prisons, probation, and the courts) and state and local government-operated recovery homes.
Image source: file photo.
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The ADA, Addiction and Recovery Frequently Asked Questions |
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These frequently asked questions (FAQ) came from attendees of our ADA, Addiction and Recovery trainings. These attendees were: people in recovery, their family members, and addiction professionals. The questions cover the following topics: employment, state and local government programs, shelters, housing, recovery homes, healthcare, businesses and non-profits.
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Answer to the ADA Question of the Month |
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Answer: Under the ADA a golf cart used by a person with a disability is not considered to be a wheelchair, but is an “other power-driven mobility device.” You can have a general ban on golf carts, but you need to provide a reasonable modification to that policy on a case-by-case basis. Use of the golf carts are limited to the individual with the disability. If the golf cart is loud it may be a “fundamental alteration,” because it disrupts the peace and quiet of your environment. If that is the case then you could decide to not allow use of a golf cart. The ADA is very strict about inquiring about a person’s disability; however, there is an allowance to see someone’s state issued parking placard in deciding the use of a golf cart. You could ask to see their placard upon registration or accept their communication as verbal credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of a mobility disability. The ADA National Network provides more guidance with their fact sheet “Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices.”
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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 90DP0087.
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