ADA Question of the Month - Do You Know the Answer?
Question: I have a heart condition and I cannot walk for long distances. My parking space at my apartment complex is too far from my unit. There is parking next to my building. Can I get a parking space closer to my unit?
The answer is at the end of the newsletter.
Recent Statements Blaming Gun Violence on People with Mental Health Conditions Need a Fair Assessment
In the wake of the mass shootings, people with mental health disabilities have been demonized. There is a lack of understanding around the people who carry out these attacks. Several sources indicate that people with mental health disabilities are less likely to commit acts of violence than people in the general population. Below are sources that provide various perspectives on this topic.
The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) Celebrates Landmark Civil Rights Law
VCIL celebrated the 29th anniversary signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. People gathered at VCIL's main office in Montpelier to mark the occasion. A highlight of the day was the presentation of an Ally of Accessibility Award to the Friends of the Tunbridge World's Fair. The nonprofit organization provides free shuttle service from the main parking lot to the fairgrounds.
Left, Sarah Launderville VCIL, and Deb Mullen. Image source: photo by Linda Meleady.
Save the Date: Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) Fifth Annual Disability Summit: Improving Access in Our Communities
Please join MOD on Friday, September 27, 2019 for their fifth annual summit. The event is an opportunity to network and hear from notable individuals from the Disability Community. The 2019 summit will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
New Research Results Identify Challenges to Implementing the ADA Survey for Cities and Towns in New England
Did you know that only 7% of municipalities in the New England region are compliant with the ADA? The New England ADA Center published the results of our research study about the challenges that municipalities face in implementing the ADA.
2019 Employment, Education, and Undergraduate Enrollment Reports Show Significant Gaps Persist for Deaf Americans
The National Deaf Center (NDC) recently published three new reports to provide a comprehensive overview of employment, educational trends, and undergraduate college enrollment for deaf Americans. Despite improvements in legal access via the ADA, these reports indicate deaf Americans continue to lag behind their hearing peers.
The Completely Reasonable Reason People Are Flying With Miniature Horses
After months of deliberation, the Department of Transportation released formal guidance regarding animals on planes. The 28-page document makes it clear that three types of service animals should be prioritized for travel: cats, dogs and miniature horses.
Image source: photo courtesy of the Associated Press by Dan Joling.
Use of Artificial Intelligence to Facilitate Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Companies are recognizing that their diversity and inclusion policies, programs, and activities should include individuals with disabilities. The confluence of the AI and diversity and inclusion movements is causing employers to focus heightened attention and scrutiny on whether AI is facilitating workforce diversity and inclusion.
In a theater setting, sign-language interpretation is about more than words. It's also about delivering the same emotional wallop to deaf audiences as to the hearing. The task is to convey to deaf patrons not only the words but also the feelings.
This free course, available 24/7, covers the rights of people with disabilities in housing under the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The focus is on reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications. Duration: 2 hours to complete.
Answer: Yes. You can request an assigned parking space nearest to your unit as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act as long as that space has not already been assigned, at which point they can look at assigning the next closest space. To learn more on the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the ADA, take our free online course.
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.
