Question: I contracted COVID-19 last December. Now I have Long-COVID, which has been giving me cognition problems. I’ve been having trouble at work. In the afternoon my brain fog wipes me out and causes performance issues. Is there anything the ADA can do to help?

The answer is at the end of the newsletter.

Thursday, October 13

10 – 11:15 am EDT

Zoom Webinar

To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor (DOL) will host a webinar “Employer Chat on Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being.” DOL Secretary Marty Walsh and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams will be joined by corporate, disability advocacy, and labor employers to discuss their innovative approaches to fostering supportive, mental health-friendly workplaces. Registration is free and required.

Register for Employer Chat on Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being.

Tuesday, October 18

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

Zoom Webinar

Many employers have DEI initiatives but often disability is not included in DEI planning and efforts or is treated as a "special" or "separate" issue. During this session, employers that have included disability in their DEI initiatives share their challenges, strategies and accomplishments in doing so. As a follow-up, people with disabilities who are currently employed will share what DEI and disability inclusion means to them, their perspective on how companies are addressing this issue, and thoughts on how they could be doing it better.

Register for Disability and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Panel Discussion.

Thursday, October 20

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT 

and

Thursday, October 27

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom Webinars

Listening sessions will be held to obtain input from key stakeholders, especially people with disabilities in developing its 2024-2029 Long-Range Plan. The input from these listening sessions will inform NIDILRR’s future funding priorities and strategic direction. The goal is to generate new knowledge and to promote its effective use to (1) improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community, and to (2) expand society’s capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for its citizens with disabilities. Stakeholders have two ways to provide input for the plan and to ask questions: participating in the virtual listening sessions, or submitting written feedback via email at [email protected] by November 21, 2022.  

Register for Listening Session on a Long-Range Plan: 2024-2029.

Thursday, October 27

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

Zoom Webinar and Live Event

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.

Thursday, Nov. 3

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Zoom Webinar

Historic buildings and facilities provide rich histories to learn about the past and help give a sense of place to people, including those with disabilities. The next webinar will provide an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility requirements for historic buildings and facilities. The presenters will review technical requirements and exemptions, best design practices, and recommendations for making historic sites and facilities accessible. Additionally, National Park Service staff, and Senior Accessibility Specialist Bill Botten, will discuss agency approaches to providing facility and programmatic accessibility to a range historic buildings and facilities.

Register for Accessing the Past: Accessibility in Historic Buildings and Facilities.

Image source: file photo.

Construction is underway to build a universally accessible trail in Montpelier, Vermont. The trail will be more accessible for people with mobility impairments, but also include interpretive sign through diverse ecosystems. Organizations like AARP Vermont and the Vermont Center for Independent Living have supported the project, which is aimed to make the community more inclusive and inviting. The trail is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

New Hubbard Park Trail in Vermont Will Be for All Ages and All Abilities

Image source: image courtesy of The Bridge by Tom McKane.

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) recently released their FY22 annual report, outlining their impact in the 2022 fiscal year. The report includes major projects and successes, which includes a focus on digital accessibility in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Massachusetts Office on Disability Releases Annual Report.

Outdoor enthusiasts know well the physical and restorative benefits of spending a beautiful day in the woods on a trail. But for many people, there are a lot of barriers to taking a simple hike because of a disability or difficulty with balance. A new grassroots movement aims to change that and make trails accessible to all.

Maine Grassroot Movement Seeks to Make Hiking Trails More Accessible to All.

Image source: image courtesy of PBS Newshour by Jennifer Rooks.

New Hampshire resident, Laura Davies is both a Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD) Commission member and an enrollee in the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act program. She joined the GCD’s social media team this past summer and contributed her fresh perspective on the benefits of the program for those with disabilities. Having returned to UNH campus to complete the 4U program, Laura is preparing a report of her activity for the November Commission meeting. 

Find more details on the ABLE program.

Image source: Image courtesy of GCD.

The state’s U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of Limerick to resolve allegations that the town excluded a resident with a disability from voting. The settlement resolves complaint filed by a voter with a mobility impairment who alleged that he was unable to vote at Limerick’s annual town meeting. The voter alleged that he was told that the first floor of Limerick Town Hall was full, and he would need to vote on the second floor which he was unable to access.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Reaches Agreement with Town of Limerick, Maine to Improve Voter Accessibility.

Image source: image courtesy of the Town of Limerick.

As part of its response to the opioid crisis, United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins sent a letter to all skilled nursing facilities in Massachusetts warning that refusing to provide care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will aggressively enforce these protections. The ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability, protects individuals with opioid use disorder.

Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Warns Skilled Nursing Facilities Not to Refuse Treatment to People with Opioid Use Disorder.

Paul was Executive Director of the Metrowest Center for Independent Living in Framingham since the early 1990s, a past president of the National Council of Independent Living, and always a fierce advocate for independent living, equal access, and the dignity of people with disabilities. He was a leading champion of the state’s PCA program, relentlessly speaking out for enrollees and their right to control their personal care. His most recent effort was the expansion of the CommonHealth program he’d championed with MassHealth that was approved by federal officials. The Boston Center for Independent Living stated, “Paul Spooner passionately lived disability rights. It defined him and he helped define the cause.”

New England ADA Center Mourns the Loss of Disability Rights Leader, Paul Spooner.

Image source: image courtesy of the Boston Center for Independent Living.

New England Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Center, a project of the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), seeks an expert individual in all federal accessibility standards and regulations at their Boston, Massachusetts location. Successful candidates will provide advanced trainings on the ADA’s Title II, III, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and related New England state and federal disability rights laws (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act). The position will also direct the ADA Center’s technical assistance (TA) on the ADA. Candidates will supervise and train, as needed, the two ADA Center staff with primary daily responsibilities for TA and training. Additionally, the position will also provide seasoned expertise as needed to IHCD’s design and consulting team and contribute to occasional development of IHCD’s tailored guidance products on accessibility and Inclusive Design.

IHCD and the New England ADA Center Seeks a Director of ADA Training and Technical Assistance.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced a bill that aims to improve internet access for people with disabilities. Access has been especially difficult for blind and low-vision people, who have had issues using websites and have been pushing for improvements for years. Some of the most common issues involve images and other items, such as buttons or headings on a website, being unlabeled or mislabeled in a way that blind people cannot navigate using screen readers, a device that reads labels and text fields out loud.

Senator Duckworth Introduces Bill to Improve Internet Access for People with Disabilities.

Image source: image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

In recent months, NASA has released several images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. Some were more surprised to find the thoughtful descriptions of the images that made them more accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision. A team at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore wrote the descriptions.

The Unexpected Star of NASA’s Webb Images - the Alt Text Descriptions.

Image source: image courtesy of the Washington Post by NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and The ERO Production Team.

Fans of "Thomas & Friends" will get to meet a new character, as Bruno the Brake Car joins Thomas the Tank Engine as the franchise's first character with autism. Mattel said through his on-screen presence, Bruno introduces audiences to "a positive, neurodivergent role model." The company said it worked with organizations such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Easterseals Southern California as well as writers and spokespeople with autism to create Bruno and ensure he represents an accurate fictional representation of an autistic child.

Bruno the Brake Car Joins "Thomas & Friends" as First Character with Autism.

Image source: image courtesy of CBS News and Mattel.

The ADA-Knowledge Translation Center (ADA-KT) at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is conducting this research with the purpose of understanding different perspectives on how accessible and available ADA information, products, and services are available for Spanish speaking communities. This project is looking for participants who work or are involved with Spanish speaking communities. If you identify as a person with a disability, family member, professional on health, education, employment, or other professional that works across key areas of the ADA, disability rights and advocacy organizations, local churches, or other community spaces, you can be part of this research study. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Oscar Gonzalez at [email protected].

ADA National Network Knowledge Translation Center Spanish Language Outreach Project.

Touchscreen kiosks and other types of self-service transaction machines (SSTMs) are a common feature in many places allowing users to independently conduct a range of transactions and functions. The U.S. Access Board has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on supplemental accessibility guidelines for different types of SSTMs, including electronic self-service kiosks, for persons with disabilities. The Board seeks comments on accessibility related to the various types, use, design, and location of SSTMs. Furthermore the Board wants to understand economic impacts on small business, non-profit, and governmental entities in the implementation of accessible SSTMs. Public comments are due by November 21, 2022.

U.S. Access Board Seeks Public Comment on Accessibility Guidelines for Self-Service Transaction Machines.

The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) is asking people with disabilities to join their project by taking pictures of their communities and talking about those photos. RTC:Rural wants to understand how individuals in rural communities access the services they need to live independently. To be eligible you must be 18 years or older and have any type of disability.

Participate: Community Photo Opportunity.

Image source: file photo.

Each October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The 2022 NDEAM theme of “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation” recognizes the important role that people with disabilities play in a diverse inclusive workforce. NDEAM the guest for ADA Live! is Wally Tablit, Senior Director of Policy and Workplace Development at RespectAbility. Mr. Tablit will showcase insightful supportive, inclusive, and equitable employment policies and practices, and the vital contributions of workers with disabilities.

Ensuring Equity in Employment: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).