An article posted at Inside Higher Ed by Alexis Gravely describes a bill supported by Democrats and Republicans that would eliminate the costs and burdens that students with disabilities face in accessing college accommodations. The bill is known as the RISE Act.
Read MoreConstruction tolerances are used to allow for slight discrepancies during construction. Construction tolerances as applied to the ADA are intended to apply only to certain sections of the 2010 ADA Standards where dimensions are stated as single dimensions or as simple minimums or maximums, not to excuse poor workmanship.
Read MoreHaving a SEPTP is the legally, morally, and financially right thing to do for all entities. SEPTPs can be thought of as tools to create and maintain successful accessibility compliance programs. SEPTPs are living documents/plans that require periodic updating.
Read MoreAn important step in creating a successful Self Evaluation Plan and Transition Plan is to establish key participants to design and operate the SEPTP. With support from executive leadership in the entity, an ADA Coordinator with overall responsibility for the SEPTP should be designated.
Read MoreState and local government entities are required to ensure that interested people, including people with vision or hearing impairments, can obtain information as to the ”existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities.” Public and private (non-government) entities should do this also. Public notices play a key role in providing this information.
Read MoreThis article about Self Evaluation Plan and Transition Plan (SEPTP) is Part 4 - Getting Started with Training. The information contained within this series can be used to build a new SEPTP or audit an existing SEPTP. Learning about the ADA, both the purpose and requirements, is critical whether you are just starting out with a SEPTP program or to train newcomers for inevitable turnovers in participants. Training will be an ongoing process for most entities.
Read MoreA SEPTP should include a grievance procedure to provide individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination based on their disability with a formal method to register their complaint with the entity. The grievance procedure should provide guidelines to take the grievance through a process of review, resolution, and documentation.
Read MoreA SEPTP should include a grievance procedure to provide individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination based on their disability with a formal method to register their complaint with the entity. The grievance procedure should provide guidelines to take the grievance through a process of review, resolution, and documentation.
Read MoreAfter a comprehensive self-evaluation of all programs, activities, services, and facilities operated by the entity, a transition plan should be created to list all items where structural changes are needed at the facilities.
Read MoreAfter a comprehensive self-evaluation of all programs, activities, services, and facilities operated by the entity, an action plan should be created to list all items where non-structural changes are needed at the entity. The action plan should include any discrepancy found within program access.
Read MoreThe budget for ADA installations should cover new facilities and alterations to existing facilities. Prioritizing ADA installations will help avoid complaints and lawsuits in the future. Implementation of the SEPTP should include peer inspections to avoid errors and omissions.
Read MoreThere are a lot of regulations and laws that affect methods of voting. It is important that all voting officials make sure that their voting procedures, methods, and facilities are compliant with all of these regulations and laws. On July 28, 2021, the the US Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a guidance document related to state and local governments’ administration of voting that explains the requirements of Title II of the ADA and other federal civil rights laws: Guidance Concerning Federal Statutes Affecting Methods of Voting.
Read MoreThe State of Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, offers services to individuals with disabilities to prepare them for employment or to retain their employment.
Read MoreThe Ability Cuts all-abilities hair salon has opened in Brentwood, TN! In an article posted on News Channel 5 in Nashville, TN, by Seena Sleem, Elizabeth Cervantes recently opened Ability Cuts in Brentwood, as a salon that focuses on clients with special needs.
Read MoreHuntington's Disease is a common chronic and degenerative health conditions that can lead to disability. A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) consultant can help with home modifications for these conditions. Understand that each disabled individual will be different, as will each house. Each case should be evaluated and modified in accordance with the specific needs of the disabled individual.
Read MoreExterior hardscape installations should be designed and installed to drain water off and prevent standing water from accumulation. Within the ADA surfaces that are required to be “level” are allowed to have a maximum slope of 1:48, or 2.08%, to provide for surface drainage and prevent pooled or standing water.
Read MoreThe DOJ has submitted a statement of interest to a case regarding accessibility at blood plasma donation centers. If the DOJ opinion prevails, these centers will be required to comply with the ADA not only for sign language interpreters, but also for all other issues regarding ADA compliance.
Read MoreDr. Crawford was called for jury duty multiple times over a seven-year period but was denied access due to failure by Hinds County, MS to comply with the ADA. This pattern of past discrimination with respect to the ADA suggested Dr. Crawford will suffer from additional discrimination in the future. This situation could have been prevented if Hinds County, MS, had taken a proactive approach to ADA compliance.
Read MorePlease see the link for the TN Statewide Transportation Map for all citizens including aging and disabled residents. Just click on the county you are interested in and see the transportation options available. Another link is available for TN Transportation Programs and Services to offer an alternative to the interactive Statewide Transportation Map.
Read MoreIn an article from BBC News, a new, colorful barcode technology is being adopted for the first time in food packaging in the UK. NaviLens, a Spanish firm, says this new technology aims to help blind and partially-sighted people identify products in shops, and access health and safety information about food.
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