The Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center has an updated website. The site features improved links to web sites that will enhance ADA research, enable you to register for our Audio Conference Series, order publications from the center online and receive online technical assistance on the provisions of the ADA and Accessible Information Technology. Check us out at:
Interested in learning more about the ADA or testing your knowledge? You can link to a course on the ADA sponsored by the Southeast DBTAC. The course is free with no time limit for completion or you can take the course for CEU credit. For more information go to:
www.adabasics.org
For employees or anyone interested in learning about providing services to individuals with disabilities at One-Stop employment centers you can link to an online course titled "At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities". You can take this course for CEU credit. For more information go to:
www.wiawebcourse.org
If your work centers on making the built environment accessible, the Great Lakes ADA Center has compiled existing materials for ease of reference and dissemination.
The volumes include:
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Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities, issued by the US Access Board. Documents included:
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Accessible Amusement Rides
Accessible Boating Facilities
Accessible Fishing Piers and Platforms
Accessible Golf Courses
Accessible Miniature Golf
Accessible Sporting Facilities
Accessible Swimming Pools & Spas
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Guide for Places of Lodging: Serving Guests Who are Blind or Who have Low Vision
Common ADA Problems at newly Constructed Lodging Facilities
Five Easy Steps to Make New Lodging Facilities Comply with the ADA
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Accessible Route
Doors
Medical Facilities
Areas of Rescue Assistance
Lavatories & Mirrors
Toilet Stalls
You may order these publications online at:
www.adagreatlakes.org
The Audio Conference Series offers advanced information on the ADA to supplement basic ADA knowledge. Sessions are scheduled from 1:00 to 2:30 pm Central Time (90 minute sessions) and will be real-time captioned on the Great Lakes ADA Center web site. A written transcript and digital recording of each session is archived on the Great Lakes web site.
Many business owners state that they want to make their business accessible but don't know where to start. The ADA Guide to Small Business produced by the US Department of Justice outlines some basic activities that a business can do to determine whether or not they are meeting the requirements of the ADA. Conducting a review of the physical accessibility of a facility can be an overwhelming task. Determining the scope of the review as well as potential accessibility solutions can stymie even the most seasoned businessperson. Many give up out of frustration. Join our speaker as he outlines the steps to be taken when initiating a self-assessment as well as tools and resources that are available. AIA and CRCC Credit is available for this session with verification of attendance. If you wish to participate on this session, you may register online.
The Great Lakes ADA Center's new web site features the ADA Document Portal to enhance online research on topics concerning the ADA. You can access up to 6,000 documents from a variety of sources such as the Department of Justice, Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the Department of Education. With the portal you can enter a phrase or key words in a field and tailor the parameters of what ADA topic you want to research.
The results with be displayed according relevance matched to the language used in the search parameters. The ADA Web Portal features advanced search capabilities such as ranking factors, word forms, and proximity to further streamline your search parameters. When results are displayed the document size will be shown, along with links to similar documents and key word highlights in the selected document. Print copies of documents may be obtained by submitting a request through our online Technical Assistance form. A cost may be incurred.
On July 23, 2004 the U.S. Access Board announced the release of new design guidelines that cover access to facilities for people with disabilities. The new design document is the culmination of a 10 year review and update of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) which were first published in 1991. This update also revised the guidelines for accessible federal buildings under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968. The purpose of the new guidelines is to create a consistent level of access as specified under the ADA and the ABA and with model building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC). The U.S. Access Board released the latest Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, which cover a wide range of public and private facilities. Although these are final guidelines from the Access Board, they do not become enforceable standards until the various federal agencies charged with enforcing the ADA and ABA adopt them, which will be done in separate rulemakings. You can download this document by visiting the US Access Board website at:
www.access-board.gov
You can download a checklist for conducting accessibility surveys for facilities that will serve or have served as polling places at the DOJ website dedicated to information on the Americans with Disabilities Act at www.ada.gov. This document is available in both HTML and printable PDF formats. The checklist is designed to assist in determining whether a polling place has basic accessible features needed by most voters with disabilities. It can be used to evaluate the accessibility of sites designated to be new polling places and identify physical barriers in existing polling places. The checklist can help to address accessibility issues before temporary or permanent modifications are made to improve accessibility of polling places for elections.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a publication titled QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EPILEPSY IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA). This document explains how the ADA might apply to job applicants and employees with epilepsy. Topics discussed include:
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when epilepsy is considered a disability under the ADA;
when an employer may ask an applicant or employee questions about epilepsy and how it should treat voluntary disclosures;
what types of reasonable accommodations employees with epilepsy may need;
how an employer should handle safety concerns about applicants and employees with epilepsy;
how employers can ensure that no employee is harassed because of epilepsy or any other disability.
A copy of the fact sheet is available for download at the EEOC website at:
www.eeoc.gov
President George W. Bush issued an executive order to strengthen emergency preparedness with respect to persons with disabilities on the part of the federal government. The order covers events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods and acts of terrorism. The order establishes within the Department of Homeland Security the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The purpose of the order is to foster consideration in emergency planning the unique needs of persons with disabilities and encourage plan development through technical assistance. The order also serves to facilitate cooperation between state, local and tribal governments and private organizations and individuals in the implementation of emergency preparedness plans.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed an agreement signed by Walgreens Company in Cook County Circuit Court that details changes to improve accessibility to the 400 Walgreens stores in the state of Illinois. Under the agreement Walgreens must pay $150,000 to an independent monitor to inspect its stores to ensure compliance with the agreements. In addition, Walgreens must pay $350,000 to the Attorney General’s Office as well.
The agreement addresses improving access to stores by mandating new parking spaces closer to stores with appropriate signage, installing curb cuts, decreasing the slope of existing ramps and removing barriers such as concrete “security” blocks and trash cans. The settlement resolves a law suit filed by the Illinois Attorney General on March 11, 2003.
For more information call 312-814-3118 or 877-844-5461 (TTY)
On Monday May 17, 2004, the Supreme Court supported the right of Mr. George Lane, a paraplegic who had to crawl up the stairs of a courthouse to get to a hearing, to sue the state of Tennessee.for monetary damages. Citing the past history of discrimination by states in judicial proceedings the court stated that a private citizen may sue under Title II of the ADA for monetary damages. This ruling is one of the few by the Supreme Court that ADA advocates feel reaffirms the constitutionality of the ADA. To learn more about this decision visit:
www.bazelon.org/issues/disabilityrights/lane/
To view a full copy of the decision go to:
Responding to the urging of the Bush administration The Supreme Court let stand the 6th Circuit Courts ruling that reinstated the federal governments lawsuit against Cinemark USA Inc. for discriminating against patrons in a wheelchair.
The second case involved the 9th Circuit Court which reversed a ruling by a federal judge who dismissed a lawsuit filed by three women with disabilities against Regal Cinemas that claimed the location of accessible seating caused dizziness, headaches and nausea.
This annual conference for Accessibility Managers is hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ADA/504 Coordinators and Accessibility Managers in the Cultural Arts Network. For more information, contact the Kennedy Center Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 V or 202-416-8728 TTY , or e-mail access@kennedy-center.org
The conference will be held at the Washington Hilton and Towers. The conference agenda will address mental health services, research, forensic issues, housing, employment, consumer-run programs, fundraising, and other topics of critical importance to consumers and family members.
For more information visit the NAMI website at:
www.nami.org
The National Organization on Disability, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Capital Region, announces the Conference on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities. This conference is the first to focus on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery specific to the unique emergency needs of people with disabilities. High-level authorities from the emergency management, disability, and special needs communities, government agencies, private business, and the service, advocacy, and care networks will be at this forum to share and learn about each other's experiences, resources, and best practice models.
For more information visit the National Organization on Disability website at:
www.nod.org
The Ability Expo is a three day event which features free workshops, seminars, equipment demonstrations, plus a chance to talk one on one with service providers. You can get information on assistive technology, accessible information technology, and job hunting. For information call 800-385-3085.
This is the 20th annual educational conference hosted by NAMI Illinois. This conference will feature exhibits as well as several guest speakers among them Marilyn Martin, author of Saving Our Last Nerve—The Black Woman’s Path to Mental Health. For more information on this event contact Holly McCaffrey at 217-522-1403 or email at holllymac@sbcglobal.net
Does a government entity which is sponsoring a job fair have to provide a fair sign language interpreter for the employee of an organization that will represent the organization at the fair so that the employee can communicate with fair-goers?
There is an important distinction between fair-goers and fair participants that dictates who must provide the sign language interpreter. The government entity must provide an effective means of communication (auxiliary aids) so that entities who will be participants (exhibitors) can receive support and services to participate in the fair related to set-up, display, break-down etc. There is no obligation on the part of the government entity to provide a sign language interpreter for the employee of the exhibitor. The provision of a sign language interpreter for the employee is a workplace accommodation issue and the responsibility lies with the organization to provide an effective means of communication so that the employee can do his/her job.
The Great Lakes ADA Center disseminates publications related to all aspects of the ADA to inform and raise awareness of disability issues and to foster voluntary compliance with the ADA. The Great Lakes ADA Center disseminates materials including posters, regulations and technical bulletins on various ADA topics. In addition, we also offer online technical assistance on the provisions of the ADA and Accessible Information Technology via our website at:
www.adagreatlakes.org
JAN is a federally funded information center located at the University of West Virginia that is funded through the Department of Labor . JAN provides information on job accommodations and the accommodation process related to specific impairments. You can visit the JAN website to see what accommodations are suggested for a particular impairment or you can contact a JAN Technical Assistant via email or phone to discuss accommodations. Visit the Job Accommodation Network at:
www.jan.wvu.edu
or call 800-526-7234 (V/TTY).
In terms of accessibility, Information Technology is often referred to as the ramp of the 21st Century. Accessible IT is focused on making websites accessible and malleable by persons with disabilities. More and more businesses, governments, and education entities are using the web to communicate, educate and conduct transactions via the internet. Without accessible websites this technology will be and is unusable by persons with disabilities.
Accessible IT addresses the usability of software in which a person with a disability will be able to navigate a web site. This is a complex and far reaching task when taking into account the infinite variables involved when addressing disabilities. Accessibility must involve usable hardware, input and output devices and the ability to transmit, store, recall and receive information from fellow users in real-time situations with the seamless coordination of training materials. For more information on Accessible IT visit the Great Lakes ADA Center website at:
www.adagreatlakes.org
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Robin Jones — Project Director
Claudia Diaz — Project Specialist
Bob Alvarez — Accessible IT Initiative
Julio Chavarria — Network Analyst
Nilay Shah — Assistant Network Analyst
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Peter Berg — Technical Assistance Coordinator
J. Anel Gonzalez — Bi-lingual Technical Assistance Specialist
Stan Wakefield — Technical Assistance Specialist
Brian Mardis — Staff Specialist
If you have questions or comments about the Great Lakes Chronicle contact:
Stan Wakefield Great Lakes Chronicle Editor 312-413-7756 or Email Great Lakes Chronicle
The Great Lakes Chronicle Editorial Staff: Robin Jones & Peter Berg
Great Lakes ADA & Accessible IT Center
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department of Disability and Human Development (MC 626)
College of Applied Health Sciences
1640 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608
800-949-4232 (V/TTY)
312-413-1856 (Fax)
Email Great Lakes ADA Center
www.adagreatlakes.org
Grant# USDEH133D010203