Great Lakes Region "ADA Report Cards" Released

To mark the 20th Anniversary of the ADA the DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center conducted a poll to learn more about the perception of people with disabilities, their family members and individuals who work with people with disabilities regarding the implementation of the ADA in their communities. We received an overwhelming response to the poll and want to thank everyone who shared their perspectives.

Over 3500 individuals took the "ADA In Your Community Poll" across all six states served by the Great Lakes ADA Center. Overall respondents indicated that while they saw progress over the past 20 years there is still a long way to go. Barriers to community participation and employment continue to persist across our region and while we celebrate the accomplishments to date we are reminded of where we still need to go.

The results of the Poll provide a blueprint for our communities and the work that they have ahead of them to ensure that people with disabilities realize the full promise of the ADA. We hope that community leaders, advocates, government officials and others will utilize the information gathered through the poll in their planning for the future.

Individuals ranked their communities the lowest in the area of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  The availability of information and assistance to file ADA related complaints ranked low along with the accessibility of websites, knowledge of business and government officials regarding their obligations under the ADA and availability and use of communication supports and alternative formats.
Individuals can view the Region and State by State report cards on-line at: www.adareportcard.org/ReportCard
If you want more information regarding the Community Poll and results contact the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center at: 312-413-1407 V/TTY or 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and WI Only or by email at adata@adagreatlakes.org

SAVE THE DATE! ADA 20th Anniversary Celebration

Monday, July 26, 2010
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Nicollet Island Pavilion 40
Power Street Minneapolis, MN

On July 26,  1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law. Join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of this historic legislation. Comedian Josh Blue and former U.S. Senator David Durenberger will headline an inspiring program.  Here is a list of other speakers and entertainers that will be present. Best of all, it is FREE to attend.

SPEAKERS/ENTERTAINERS        

• Comedian Josh Blue
• Former US Senator David Durenberger
• Local/National Politicians
• ASL Storyteller Nic Zapko
• ADA Expert Peter Berg
• And more!

SPONSORS

• ADA Minnesota
• Courage Center
• DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center
• Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Pathways to Employment
• Statewide Independent Living Council

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
(651)603-2015 (Twin Cities), (888)630-9793 (Toll-Free),
1-888-206-6513 (TTY), 1-866-635-0082 (VP) or
cindyt@mcil-mn.org

See the attached flyer or the text-only version of the flyer for more details.  Download the PDF Flyer or Text Flyer

Celebrate and continue the fight with us!  

Greetings!

The 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is fast approaching! On July 26th, 2010 the country will celebrate the Anniversary. The Great Lakes ADA Center in conjunction with the National Network of ADA Centers has launched an initiative titled, 2010 in 2010.  This is an effort to get 2010 state and local governments to issue proclamations in recognition of the 20th anniversary and to re-commit to the full implementation of the ADA.

Many local and state governments have already acknowledged the anniversary by issuing proclamations of re-commitment to fully implement the ADA in their communities.  The 2010 initiative strives to focus on the positive.

Please join the Great Lakes ADA Center in their efforts to get 2010 communities to recommit to the ADA by contacting your local city, county and state officials requesting that they issue a proclamation.  Join us and
become part of a nation-wide effort to proclaim a recommitment to the vision and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act--full inclusion of people with disabilities in American life! Visit http://www.2010anniversary.org/
for sample proclamations, suggested activities, and events related to the anniversary.

Also visit our website, http://www.adagreatlakes.org/, to view more information about the celebration of the ADA in the Great Lakes region.

Thank You,

The Great Lakes Center

DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center (MC 728)
1640 W. Roosevelt Road
Room 405
Chicago, IL 60608
800-949-4232 (V/TTY)
312-413-1407 (V/TTY)
312-413-1856 (Fax)

Vote Now! ADA 20th Anniversary Poster Contest

The DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center is holding a poster contest in order to raise awareness about the Americans’ with Disabilities Act (ADA) 20th anniversary. All of the posters are online and you can vote! To view all of the entries, go to http://www.adagreatlakes.org/Poster_Contest/ then click on the link to vote for your favorite. There are cash prizes being offered—first prize and $300, second prize and $200, and third prize and $100. The first prize poster will be printed and distributed on a small scale.

If you would like to learn more about the center please visit our website at www.adagreatlakes.org.

Announcement: Mn/DOT makes ADA Transition Plan available for public comment
Interested individuals encouraged to provide feedback

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Community members are invited to provide feedback to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Americans with Disability Act Transition plan, which was made available online today and remains open for public comment until Dec. 23.

“It is critical that Mn/DOT provide access to all transportation facilities, services, programs and policies,” said Tom Sorel, transportation commissioner. “While our current system is accessible, we encourage individuals to read the plan and offer suggestions so we can make any necessary improvements.”

The transition plan at www.dot.state.mn.us/ada details how the organization will ensure that all of its facilities, services, programs and activities are accessible to all individuals.

For the full Press Release, click the following link: MN/DOT Press Release

2009 ADA Anniversary Tool Kit Available Online

The DBTAC – Network of ADA Centers is pleased to announce the release of the 2009 Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Anniversary Tool Kit.  Together with our Affiliate Networks and Partners, we have accomplished significant results toward voluntary ADA compliance.  The Tool Kit captures our collective achievements and offers informative materials designed to help you plan and publicize your ADA activities during the ADA Anniversary and throughout the year. The Tool Kit includes:

• Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008
• ADA - Findings, Purpose, and History
• The Americans with Disabilities Act from a Civil Rights Perspective
• Americans with Disabilities Act Resources and Publications
• Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead Resources
• ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) Summary and Resources
• Statistics You Can Use
• The White House Agenda on Disabilities
• Tips on Writing a News Release
• Sample Proclamation:  ADA Anniversary
• National DBTAC Initiatives

The 2009 ADA Anniversary Tool Kit can be downloaded at http://adaanniversary.org/.

New Publication from DOJ-Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field

The following information is forwarded to you by the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org) for your information:

For more articles across the country regarding the ADA go to our "ADA In the Headlines" page at:  http://www.adagreatlakes.org/Headlines/

The US Department of Justice has issued a new publication in their “Expanding Your Market” series titled:   “Accessible Information Exchange:  Meeting on a Level Playing Field”.   This publication focuses on planning and conducting meetings and events that are accessible to people with disabilities.   This publication is available on-line at:  http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is proud to announce the creation of the 2009 AAHD Scholarship Program. 

The AAHD Scholarship Program will support students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in the field of public health, health promotion, or disability studies, to include disability policy and disability research. Royalties from the Disability and Health Journal will fund the first year of the AAHD Scholarship Program.

Please visit www.aahd.us to read more about the Scholarship Program and to download the application.

If you would like to make a donation to the AAHD Scholarship Program, please send your contribution to American Association on Health and Disability, 110 N. Washington Street, Suite 328-J, Rockville, MD  20850.  Please indicate your donation is for the Scholarship Program.  For additional questions, please contact Roberta Carlin at rcarlin@aahd.us or 301-545-6140 ext. 206.

ANNOUNCING THE 2009 ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY WEBINAR SERIES

The DBTAC- Great Lakes ADA Center is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring a 2009 Accessible Technology Webinar series The goal of the series is to increase awareness about the importance of technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Each session is 90 minutes in length. They will be held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on dates specified.   The entire program is delivered via an on-line conferencing tool (high speed internet connection desired).  There is a fee for participation ($50.00 Non-Profit Entities and $100.00 For Profit Entities).   Registration is available on-line at:  http://www.ada-audio.org/Webinar/AccessibleTechnology/   

CAPTIONING VIDEO FOR THE INTERNET – Monday March 9, 2009 1 – 2:30 pm CST

UPDATE OF THE 508 ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS – Monday May 11, 2009 1 – 2:30 pm  CST

THE WHY AND HOW TO CREATE ACCESSIBLE PDFs – Monday July 13, 2009 1 – 2:30 pm CST

AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY - Monday September 14, 2009 1 – 2:30 pm CST

Questions regarding the program should be directed to Janet Peters, Coordinator for Accessible Technologies via email at jpete@uic.edu or via telephone at 877-232-1990 (V/TTY)

Making Workplace Accommodations: Reasonable Cost, Big Benefits

The Office of Disability and Employment Policy within the US Department of Labor has recently released a new fact sheet titled:  "Making Workplace Accommodations: Reasonable Cost, Big Benefits".   This fact sheet shares data collected by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) through their customer service interviews.  

To view this fact sheet go to:  http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/publicat.htm

HUD AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASE NEW GUIDANCE ON "REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS" UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT WASHINGTON

New guidance released this week by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Justice (DOJ) reinforced the right of persons with disabilities to make "reasonable modifications" to their dwellings if a structural change to their dwelling or to a common area of the building or complex in which they live is needed so that they can fully enjoy the premises.

ADA Audio Conference Series

The ADA Audio Conference Series provides in-depth information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Information Technology and other related topics. This program is designed as a springboard to enhance an individual's existing knowledge base or facilitate continued learning regarding regulations and trends under the ADA. For more information, click the link below.

ADA Audio Conference Series

Publications

Check out the Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center's monthly Newsletter by clicking the link below.

GREAT LAKES CHRONICAL

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY BULLETIN

GREAT LAKES ADA CENTER PUBLICATIONS

The Great Lakes Center maintains resources that are available in our region as well as throughout the United States regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessible Information Technology (AIT). Such resources include written material, consultants, architects, educators, model programs, and other services specializing in accommodating the needs of people with disabilities. The information, materials, and/or technical assistance referred to on this page are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights and responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility. For questions or materials about the ADA, disability etiquette, or Accessible Information Technology, call 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) to reach your regional DBTAC: ADA Center.

A New Grant for the Great Lakes ADA Center

The Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center has been serving the region of Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana since 1991 as a project of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Recently, we received funding to continue from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

The Center’s new goals include: 1) Increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities, 2) Increase community participation of people with disabilities, and 3) Help ensure full implementation of the ADA.

The Great Lakes ADA Center will also expand our 2001 initiative addressing accessible information technology in schools. The new Center technology activities will include more in-depth training and technical assistance to businesses regarding accessible and assistive technology.

The Center will also be creating a resource toolkit to aid students transitioning from post-secondary school to employment. The toolkit will be piloted with Wisconsin Technical Colleges and made available in the Great Lakes Region.