April 2025
Volume 18 Issue 6
Exhibition Design and Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities (Recording Available)
April is Deaf History Month! While not often highlighted, deaf culture and history has persisted throughout time. Despite facing ongoing challenges with bias, people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing have continued to create communities, language and systemic structures that meet their needs.
The Encyclopedia Britannica has highlighted major milestones in deaf history starting from the 18th century and moving into the 21st.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has also created a timeline that recognizes the achievements and obstacles of deaf and hard of hearing Americans over time as their organization developed. NAD History Timeline
Despite a long history of fighting for equal opportunities in education, employment, and daily life, people who are deaf and hard of hearing continue to contact the ADA Centers for information about their rights and file complaints of disability discrimination, particularly as it relates to effective communication (i.e. access to ASL interpreters and captions). As we work towards an equal future for people with disabilities, take a moment to read about the history of people in the deaf and hard of hearing community and what the ADA requires:
Ford Foundation Commits $15 Million to Global Disability Rights
The Ford Foundation has announced a commitment to provide $15 million in grants to strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in Ford’s core programmatic areas, including democracy and civic engagement, gender justice and the care economy, climate justice, and technology. In addition, the foundation announced at least 25% of all of its grantmaking will be inclusive of people with disabilities.
HHS Denies Gender Dysphoria Disability Protections in Preamble to New Section 504 Regulations
Section 504 was the federal precursor to the ADA and mirrors its requirements in many ways. In May 2024, Sec. 504 received a massive update to its healthcare regulations and protections against disability discrimination. However, an ongoing lawsuit has taken issue with a statement characterizing gender dysphoria as a disability in the preamble of the regulations. HHS has since issued clarification that the preamble is not part of the regulatory text itself and does not carry the force of law.
Researchers Warn Health AI May Overlook Patients with Disabilities
As AI continues to be implemented in everything from web content design to healthcare, researchers continue to share the importance of training AI to recognize variations in patients’ physical and cognitive abilities. Because AI models rely on the use of historic clinical data, researchers claim the models tend to reinforce existing societal and clinical biases.
DOJ Investigating Treatment of People with Disabilities in State-Operated Residential Institutions
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a wide-ranging investigation into Illinois’ treatment of people with developmental disabilities, examining whether the state provides adequate resources for community living and protects residents from harm in public institutions. The investigation will also review abuse and neglect allegations of patients at the Choate, Jack Mabley and Samuel Shapiro developmental centers, three of the seven state-operated residential institutions.
Bill Targets Overtaxing of Medically-required Vehicle Equipment
Under a bill proposed by State Senator Don DeWitte, people with disabilities would no longer be overtaxed for adaptive vehicle equipment. According to Illinois statute, consumers should pay a 1% tax on medically-required equipment and the customary 6.25% or more on the rest of the vehicle. According to Senator DeWitte, people are currently charged 6.25% or more on the equipment when it comes with the car from the factory as opposed to when they add it themselves.
Indiana Schools Suspend Tens of Thousands of Students with Disabilities
A news investigation found that children who receive special education services were suspended more than twice as often from school compared to their peers during the last academic year. Federal law requires the state to track discipline disparities for students with disabilities, but the Indiana Department of Education has narrow criteria for identifying schools for review and rarely intervenes. Federal and Indiana law offer protections to students with disabilities, however, advocates say that the federal protections have flaws such as not requiring a behavior assessment unless a student is suspended for more than 10 days.
Critics Say Bill Would Make Voting More Difficult For People with Disabilities
Amongst other concerns highlighted by critics in response to House Bill 1680 ,advocates have expressed concerns that restricting voter registration assistance would violate the ADA. The ADA requires state and local governments to make reasonable modifications and not discriminate in their programs, which can include voting.
MI Health and Hospital Association (MHA) Aims to Address Pediatric Behavioral Health
For the past several years, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s (MHA) annual Strategic Action Plan has addressed behavioral health with a focus on pediatric mental health. Last year, MHA worked with the Michigan legislature and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to appropriate $50 million to expand hospital inpatient pediatric psychiatric care and another $10 million to expand psychiatric residential treatment facilities for patients under the age of 21.
Spotlight on Grand Rapid's Accessibility
Influencers and friends Stefanie Schaffer and Erika Nala Franco met up in Grand Rapids, not only to catch up but to see how easily they could explore the city in their wheelchairs. Their October visit is featured in a newly released video designed to boost tourism by highlighting the region’s accessibility, from downtown Grand Rapids to county parks. The video illustrates why Grand Rapids has a "Destination Verified" status as an accessible city by Wheel the World, an online platform and travel agency.
Long COVID Survey Provides Many Insights
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released results from a first-of-its-kind survey on Long COVID impacts. MDH, which has one of the earliest state-level Long COVID programs in the United States, conducted the survey to learn more about people living with Long COVID. That data can help to inform additional studies as well as future public policy. For health experts, the survey provides a look at COVID’s endurance. Learn more about the Minnesota study at the Department of Health’s website, where a PDF copy of the report is available.
Cuts and Changes to State Vocational Rehabilitation Have Adverse Effect
Minnesota’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), which provides employment services for people with disabilities, has had recent changes as the Department of Employment and Economic Development looks at voluntary layoffs and early retirement incentives for employees who provide VR services. Clients share that the changes have led to less support and people who work in the field say clients aren’t getting the same quality of services they previously did as fewer people are taking on higher caseloads.
Ohio Wants To Require People In Medicaid Expansion To Work Or Lose Coverage
Ohio has asked the federal government for permission to require people in the state’s Medicaid expansion group to work at least 80 hours a month. Under the state’s request, Medicaid recipients would have to work 80 hours unless they are over 55, enrolled in school or job training, are in a recovery program or have a serious physical or mental illness. Critics have said requirements like these are basically Medicaid cuts and would mean more administrative costs for assessment and an increased rate for uninsured people in Ohio.
Ohio Law Does Not Conflict with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
In a recent lawsuit, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) argued that a state court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over an IDEA claim because the state’s administrate code conflicted with the IDEA and, therefore, was preempted by federal law. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) oversees Ohio’s implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that entitles children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The appeal court ruled that IDEA does not preempt Ohio’s administrate code regarding the procedure for filing an IDEA claim.
$6.3 Million in Transportation Aids for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announced over $6.3 million in funding to 58 agencies across the state through the Specialized Transit Program to improve local transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The joint federal and state program provides grants to help with specialized transportation services such as mobility management, operating assistance, and vehicle purchases.
New Fact Sheet Shows How Medicaid Cuts Hurt Unpaid Caregivers
Wisconsin disability and aging organizations released a new factsheet showing the impact on workers, cost to employers, and loss to Wisconsin’s workforce that occurs when unpaid caregivers must leave jobs to provide care for loved ones. Congress is considering at least $880 Billion in federal Medicaid cuts as part of a bill that would cut $2 Trillion in federal spending to extend existing tax cuts. Medicaid pays for most long-term care in Wisconsin and the nation, including the salaries for paid care workers who help people with disabilities and older adults.
Free Map Accessibility Evaluation Tool from XR Navigation
This is a tool to help you quickly evaluate a web-based map for some of the most common accessibility issues under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For more information, check out our recent Accessible Technology Webinar with XR Navigation Can you Read this Map: Checking Maps for ADA Accessibility
K-12 Digital Infrastructure Brief on Accessibility
This brief provides information and examples for K-12 Educators and Administrators working to comply with the new ADA Title II digital standard for web content and mobile apps. This resource discusses creating a digital infrastructure, accessible education materials, assistive technology and more!
Free Course: Autism-Informed Employers
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute is allowing anyone to access their Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW) training. Learn how to effectively interview, supervise, and retain employees on the autism spectrum. Businesses will benefit through lower turnover, increased productivity, and the addition of unique perspectives and talents to help your team excel.
Gatorade and Move United Provide Adapted High School Sport Guides
Move United offers resources to integrate adapted athletes into existing high school athletic programs without altering rules for athletes without disabilities or imposing administrative challenges on State High School Associations. Check out their guides on Swimming, Track and Field, Wheelchair Tennis and Boccia with more to come!
Answer: Even though accessible seats are referred to as “wheelchair spaces” under the 2010 ADA Standards, a person does not need to be a wheelchair user or have a mobility disability to purchase a ticket for an accessible seat. People with disabilities that require the features of accessible seating can also purchase those tickets. For example, a person with a service animal may purchase a ticket for accessible seating if they require additional space for their animal.
Tickets may be sold to individuals who need accessible seating for themselves or to someone purchasing on their behalf.
Generally, tickets for accessible seats may not be sold to people who do not need the specific features of the accessible seats. However, unsold accessible seats may be released and sold to the general public in three specific circumstances:
In addition, if a venue or event permits patrons to transfer or sell their tickets to others, these same rights must be extended to patrons with disabilities who hold tickets for accessible seating. The ticket seller cannot require that accessible seats only be transferred to someone with a disability.
Resource(s):
Learn more by visiting our ADA Frequently Asked Questions.
EEOC v. Black Diamond Blade Company
Black Diamond Blade Company (doing business as Cutting Edge Supply) will pay $150,000 to a former welder and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. According to the suit, the company failed to accommodate a welder with diabetes who requested an accommodation to take snack breaks periodically throughout the workday to regulate his blood sugar. The employer also allegedly retaliated against the employee when he complained about the discrimination. Eventually, the employee was fired.
EEOC v. Reliable Maintenance Solutions, Inc.
Reliable will pay $25,000 and undertake remedial measures to settle a disability discrimination complaint. EEOC charged that Reliable refused to hire an experienced applicant for a heavy equipment operation position because of his disability. The applicant is a right-arm amputee with years of work experience operating dump trucks, and he was working as a dump truck operator at the time of his application to Reliable. Although the applicant then successfully completed safety training, the lawsuit alleged that Reliable claimed at least one of its clients was uncomfortable with an amputee being employed as a heavy equipment operator, and so the applicant was not hired.
EEOC v. Reliable Maintenance Solutions, Inc.
CPG Staffing and Executive Personnel agreed to pay $60,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit alleging that they rescinded a welding applicant’s job offer after learning from a post-offer medical questionnaire that he had injured his knee on a job two years earlier. Before disclosing the prior injury, from which he had completely recovered, the applicant successfully passed a welding test. The applicant indicated he could perform the essential duties of the welder job, did not require a reasonable accommodation, and provided a letter from his physician clearing him to work.
American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago vs. City of Chicago
Under the Court's proposed order, Chicago has 10 years to equip at least 71% of its signalized intersections with Accessible Pedestrian Signals (“APS”). Chicago will then have another 5 years to install APS at 100% of its signalized intersections. The Court also calls for the City to establish an APS Citizen Advisory Committee.
Ellerbee v. State of Louisiana
A blind resident sued the State of Louisiana because he could not use several of the state’s websites. The state asked the court to throw the case out of court, arguing that the ADA Title II regulation deadlines for state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible have not yet passed. The judge disagreed and said the case could move forward because the ADA still requires nondiscrimination and access to government information on the web, even before the new regulations go into effect.
Department of Education v. DC Public Schools
The U.S. Department of Education recently sent a letter to Chancellor Lewis Ferebee of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) initiating an investigation to evaluate if the district is failing to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The federal probe follows a December report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which found that D.C. has one of the highest rates of due process complaints among all other states and territories.
Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company
Courts around the country are split on the issue of whether a “place of public accommodation” under Title III of the ADA must have a physical location where it serves the public in order to be covered. A federal trial court in Minnesota, recently denied a web-only business’s motion to dismiss, ruling that web-only businesses are covered by Title III, siding with the courts that have concluded that no physical location is required.
