A project of the Institute for Human Centered Design | |
ADA Question of the Month | |
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Question: I’ve been with my company for 3 years. Before that I was involved in a serious incident during my military service that has had lasting effects, on my mental health, requiring therapy and a psychiatric service dog. I have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a reasonable accommodation, I am allowed to have my service animal at work. My desk is in a high traffic area and I’m often startled when people pass by. Can I have more than one accommodation like relocating my desk to a spot in the office with less foot traffic?
The answer is at the end of the newsletter.
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Fishing and Boating for a Variety of Disabilities | |
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Thursday, June 9
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT
Zoom Webinar
The Great Lakes ADA Regional Center will host a webinar, Fishing and Boating for a Variety of Disabilities. Presenters will discuss modified procedures and safety protocols during leisure fishing and boating, as well as competitive events. Participants may submit questions in advance or during the webinar. Continuing education credits are available upon request. Registration is free and required.
Fishing and Boating for a Variety of Disabilities.
Image source: image courtesy of Fickr.
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ADA Coordinator: Getting the Job Done | |
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Tuesday, June 21
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT
Zoom Meeting
The session will provide an overview of the role of an ADA coordinator and practical strategies and tips to get the job done. The discussion will include how to get started as a new ADA Coordinator, common challenges experienced by ADA Coordinators and strategies to address them, effective collaboration with community partners, and how to move your entity beyond minimum compliance.
ADA Coordinator: Getting the Job Done.
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ADA 32nd Anniversary: Maine Disability Pride Day is Back | |
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Friday, July 8
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Live Event
The Pavilion at Mill Park, Water Street, Augusta
Disability Rights Maine announces the return of Disability Pride Day! After a 3-year break, the organization is excited to celebrate disability, activism, and community. The day’s events include: lawn games, music, performances, pizza, and information tables from partners across Maine. People are encouraged to carpool as parking is limited. If you have questions about Disability Pride or would like to inquire about having a resource table, please email [email protected].
ADA 32nd Anniversary: Maine Disability Pride Day is Back.
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Ask an ADA Professional Question: Communication Requirements under the ADA | |
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Wednesday, July 13
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Zoom Webinar
During the program, individuals will have the opportunity to ask ADA professionals questions about communication requirements under the ADA. To ensure your question is answered during the session, individuals are encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time during registration. Registration is free but required by July 12.
Ask an ADA Professional Question: Communication Requirements under the ADA.
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Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins Picks a Fight Worth Fighting | |
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The long-running feud between Boston and Quincy over reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge — and with it the possible use of the island for a recovery and treatment center — has become the subject of a civil rights investigation launched by US Attorney Rachael Rollins. The probe seeks to determine if Quincy’s ongoing efforts to prevent rebuilding of the bridge is an effort to prevent the island’s use as an addiction recovery center. If so, that puts the city at risk of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, which covers people with substance use disorder.
Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins Picks a Fight Worth Fighting.
Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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The Massachusetts Disability Law Center Announces New Executive Director | |
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The Disability Law Center (DLC) is pleased to announce Barbara L’Italien as the organization’s new Executive Director. DLC is the Commonwealth’s Protection and Advocacy agency for persons with disabilities. Barbara has been a leading advocate at the intersection between politics, law, health care and policy for twenty-five years. “I am honored to join the Disability Law Center in continuing to fulfill their mission,” Barbara remarked.
The Disability Law Center Announces New Executive Director.
Image source: image courtesy of the Disability Law Center.
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Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disability ADA Coordinator Keeps Watch Over Projects to Ensure Compliance | |
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Construction was just about completed on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge when, ADA Coordinator Denyse Wilhelm of the state’s Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD), happened to take a walk past it. Wilhelm noticed, “It was completely inaccessible, and this is a brand-new project.” The bridge is just one example of the costly, preventable scenarios that result from a lack of GCD involvement early in the process. The Department of Transportation and the I-195 Commission oversaw the footbridge project, and Wilhelm said they didn’t submit their plans to the GCD before they started construction.
Rhode Island GCD ADA Coordinator Keeps Watch Over State Projects to Ensure Compliance.
Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Mass Poetry Gains Mass Appeal with ‘Hard Work of Hope’ | |
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For the last two years, Mass Poetry has presented the “Hard Work of Hope,” a series of poems from members of the community that tell the story of the pandemic and all its ripple effects in their lives. Colin Killick, poet and Executive Director of Disability Policy Consortium curated the latest series of six poets writing about being disabled in an ableist America. The collection attempts to amplify the voices of the disabled community on the impacts of inclusion, exclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted people living with disabilities.
Mass Poetry Gains Mass Appeal with ‘Hard Work of Hope.’
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MBTA Seeks Public Input on Bus Network Redesign Project | |
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Greater Boston has changed significantly in recent years, with shifting demographics, emerging employment districts, increasing traffic congestion, and changing travel patterns. The Bus Network Redesign completely reimagines the MBTA’s bus network to reflect these changes and create a better experience for current and future bus riders. The MBTA is seeking public feedback on the project. The MBTA will be holding a series of events throughout June and July. The community meetings (both virtual and in-person) are planned around the Metro Boston area. More meetings are planned including open houses at bus and subway stations.
MBTA Seeks Public Input on Bus Network Redesign Project.
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ADA National Network Videos Spotlight Digital Access to Education | |
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The ADA National Network Knowledge Translation Center announced the release of a video series on digital access in education, Access for Everyone: Breaking Down Barriers for People with Disabilities, produced in partnership with the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The 20-part series covers a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, laws and regulations that apply to access in education, and ways to identify and remediate barriers to access. The brief videos provide basic information on and instructions for many accessibility concepts, from creating a culture that embraces accessibility to the specifics of web and video accessibility and testing.
ADA National Network Videos Spotlight Digital Access to Education.
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Newly Installed AAC Board at an Elementary School Allows All Kids to 'Talk' | |
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In an effort for every voice to be heard, speech therapist Dawn Watson and Eagle Scout Sean Collins erected an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) at the Cedar Creek Elementary School in Lacey, New Jersey that serves a number of autistic students in their program. Their AAC board uses simple images and words so kids can communicate wants and needs while playing. Watson stated that within a week, students were using the board.
Newly Installed AAC Board at an Elementary School Allows All Kids to 'Talk.'
Image source: image courtesy of Patch.com by Veronica Flesher.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Hotel to Ensure Access for People with Disabilities | |
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The Justice Department entered into an agreement under the ADA with the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Columbus, Ohio. The agreement requires a series of modifications to provide better access for customers with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. The Department launched an investigation after it received a complaint from a couple who claimed that they reserved accessible rooms after being told by hotel staff that the rooms had accessible “roll-in” showers fitted for wheelchairs. Upon arrival during the Thanksgiving holiday, neither of the bathrooms had a roll-in shower and the couple were forced to find a different hotel.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Hotel to Ensure Access for People with Disabilities.
Image source: file photo.
| Hotels Designing for Disabilities Must Think Beyond Old Stereotypes | |
To move beyond typical hotel design accessible design teams are examining several factors surrounding lighting, hearing and mobility that typically affect a senior audience. Teams are incorporating removable grab bars in bathrooms, enhanced task lighting, and researched bathroom fans that wouldn’t interfere with hearing aids. The Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts has been making itself more welcoming for autistic guests. with Sensory Suites that feature calming shades of blue. Sensory Suites are designed to assist children with not only autism but attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disabilities; they might need help relaxing or sleeping.
Hotels Designing for Disabilities Must Think Beyond Old Stereotypes.
Image source: image courtesy of Skift.
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EEOC and DOJ Warn Employers About Potential for Discrimination Through the Use of AI | |
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Employers increasingly use AI and other software tools to help them select new employees, monitor performance, and determine pay or promotions. Many of these tools use algorithms or AI. These tools may result in unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) each released a technical assistance document about disability discrimination when employers use artificial intelligence (AI) and other software tools to make employment decisions.
EEOC and DOJ Warn Employers About Potential for Discrimination Through the Use of AI.
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The Most Accessible National Parks in the United States | |
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Most national parks now offer experiences that are mindful of people who have various special needs. The NPS has even created a free Access Pass, available to people with permanent disabilities. Some parks stand out as having features and experiences catering to individuals with mobility, hearing, visual, and other accessibility needs. The article highlights national parks that feature paved pathways, accessible campsites, all-terrain wheelchairs for rent, adaptive sport activities, tactile exhibits, captioned and audio-described presentations, sign language interpreting services for tours, or other accessibility features.
The Most Accessible National Parks in the United States.
| U.S. Access Board Names Alison Levy Director of Office of Technical and Information Services | |
Alison Levy has been named the new Director of the Office of Technical and Information Services (OTIS) at the U.S. Access Board. She succeeds Dave Yanchulis who retired in April after 36 years. In this role, Levy will manage and establish program goals and operations for OTIS, including those related to accessibility guidelines and standards, technical assistance and guidance, training, and research. “I am excited to have Alison join our team of dedicated experts in the accessibility space,” Board Executive Director Sachin Pavithran said.
U.S. Access Board Names Alison Levy Director of Office of Technical and Information Services.
Image source: image courtesy of the U.S. Access Board.
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Answer to the ADA Question of the Month | |
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Answer: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a covered impairment as long as it meets the definition of disability and substantially limits a major life activity. It is not uncommon for a qualified employee with a disability to need more than one accommodation. Altering the work environment may limit distractions for people with certain disabilities like PTSD. Relocating your desk to a more private area may reduce the times you get startled. The Job Accommodation Network is an excellent resource for topics like accommodations and PTSD.
The month of June is awareness month for a few nonapparent disabilities like Tourette’s Syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Migraines, and PTSD. For questions related to nonapparent disabilities call us at 800-949-4232.
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Show You Know!
Participate in our new monthly interactive quiz feature where you answer our disability-related question.
Question:
A person without an apparent disability shows up at a town meeting with a leashed dog. May the municipality:
A) Tell them no dogs are allowed.
B) Ask “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and
what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
C) Ask for a service animal identification card.
D) Tell them only people who are blind have service dogs.
Email your answer to [email protected] by June 30.
First person to respond with the correct answer will be featured in next month’s newsletter.
Last month’s Show You Know answer
Thank you to last month’s participant, Tony Phillips, ADA Coordinator and Director of Social Services for the Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, for being the first person to submit the correct answer.
The question was, “Can mental health issues be an ADA disability?”
A) When someone is feeling blue.
B) At times when a person has high anxiety.
C) If the mental health issue substantially limits one or more major life
activities, such as concentrating, working, or sleeping, when it is active.
D) Only when symptoms are present.
“C” was the correct answer.
We were looking for the ADA definition of disability. A mental health impairment is covered by the ADA, if the mental health issue substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as concentrating, working, or sleeping, when it is active. Depression and anxiety are mental health impairments that often meet the ADA definition of disability. May was Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn more on how to increase mental health awareness by reviewing the toolkit from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
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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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