I am presenting at the ODMC and am short the remaining registration fee. Please help if you can.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 21
Happy Anniversary everyone! Today the Americans with Disabilities Act is 21 years old. For some of us that means every year of their lives have been covered by the ADA. This, does not mean it has all been smooth sailing. We still need to work at getting just the simplest needs met. Those of us who were born 21 years ago can now legally drink, vote and do all of the things that are rights of passage in the U.S., but they are still not given equal education, employment or access. The image to the left is the ADAPT Free Our People symble, breaking chains on the arms over the head of the universal wheelchair access symble.
"The American with Disabilities Act was a wide-sweeping civil rights legislation giving 
protections to individuals with disabilities. Equal opportunity was established for employment, transportation, telecommunications, public accommodations and the state and federal government's services." Borrowed from the Museum of DisABILITY History. The Society Timeline is a welth of information and I suggest everyone read it and know our history.
protections to individuals with disabilities. Equal opportunity was established for employment, transportation, telecommunications, public accommodations and the state and federal government's services." Borrowed from the Museum of DisABILITY History. The Society Timeline is a welth of information and I suggest everyone read it and know our history. The Image to the right is of an ADAPT activist crawling up the capitals steps to get the ADA past in 1989.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Update
I have updated the "Liked Links" page with a lot of interesting articles and websites. If you have questions about disability culture, access issues, laws, or service dogs check it out. One of the articles is writen by Anais Keenon a fellow AccessABILITY Student Union member.
Also, I have added a button to the yahoo group for the Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club. I co-founded the WVADC with Melissa Mitchell and we are growing fast. We are the third ADC in the nation. You can find us and like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Willamette-Valley-Assistance-Dog-Club/109121329176664
Also, I have added a button to the yahoo group for the Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club. I co-founded the WVADC with Melissa Mitchell and we are growing fast. We are the third ADC in the nation. You can find us and like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Willamette-Valley-Assistance-Dog-Club/109121329176664
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Advocacy Hotline
The following is a very exciting new tool.
Guide Dog Association Launches Innovative Hotline:The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), has launched aninnovative new service. The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline not only offersinformation about the legal rights of individuals who use service animals, itoffers the option to speak with an advocate who is trained to resolve accessdenials. According to the new federal guidelines that took effect on March 15,2011, a service animal is "any dog that is individually trained to do work orperform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability" (28 CFR Part35.104 & 28 CFR Part 36.104). The new regulations specifically state, "Otherspeciesof animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not serviceanimals for the purposes of this definition." In an effort to Further clarifyits intent, the Department of Justice specifically states, "The crime deterrenteffects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support,well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for thepurposes of this definition.""We find that most access problems are the result of a lack ofinformation," says Michael Hingson, the Association's vice president, who servesas project manager for the hotline. "This hotline is an excellent resource foraccurate information."The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers generalinformation about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), as well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and healthcare facilities. Callers needing immediate assistance can connect directly to alive trained advocate. Future plans for the hotline includesummaries of each of the state laws concerning service animals, moreindustry-specific information, and guidance in a variety of languages, such asMandarin and Arabic. The hotline is available anytime by calling, toll- free,(866) - 972 - 3647.
Guide Dog Association Launches Innovative Hotline:The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), has launched aninnovative new service. The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline not only offersinformation about the legal rights of individuals who use service animals, itoffers the option to speak with an advocate who is trained to resolve accessdenials. According to the new federal guidelines that took effect on March 15,2011, a service animal is "any dog that is individually trained to do work orperform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability" (28 CFR Part35.104 & 28 CFR Part 36.104). The new regulations specifically state, "Otherspeciesof animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not serviceanimals for the purposes of this definition." In an effort to Further clarifyits intent, the Department of Justice specifically states, "The crime deterrenteffects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support,well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for thepurposes of this definition.""We find that most access problems are the result of a lack ofinformation," says Michael Hingson, the Association's vice president, who servesas project manager for the hotline. "This hotline is an excellent resource foraccurate information."The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers generalinformation about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), as well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and healthcare facilities. Callers needing immediate assistance can connect directly to alive trained advocate. Future plans for the hotline includesummaries of each of the state laws concerning service animals, moreindustry-specific information, and guidance in a variety of languages, such asMandarin and Arabic. The hotline is available anytime by calling, toll- free,(866) - 972 - 3647.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Department of Justice Office of Public AffairsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Justice Department Reaches ADA Settlement to Make Law School Application Processes Accessible to Blind ApplicantsAgreement also reached with Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today its participation in two related settlement agreements involving the accessibility of the Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) online application service, which is used by law schools nationwide for their application processes. As a result of these agreements, LSAC’s online application service, and the online application process of the nation's law schools, will be accessible to individuals who are blind.
Under the first agreement, which resolves a lawsuit filed against LSAC by the National Federation of the Blind, LSAC will take critical steps to ensure that its online application website, http://www.lsac.org/ , will be fully accessible to individuals who use screen readers by the beginning of the fall 2012 application cycle. Application through the LSAC website offers several convenient features to applicants—including LSAC’s “Common Information Form;” bundling of applications into the required LSAC Credential Assembly Service, which eliminates the need to obtain multiple transcripts, letters of recommendations and evaluations for applicants to more than one school; and online payment of the application fee. The department is a signatory to this agreement, which signifies that the steps the LSAC will undertake for its website will satisfy, in part, the law schools’ obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make their application processes equally accessible to individuals who are blind.
The second agreement is between the department and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. It requires the law school to modify its own website to notify potential applicants of a process they may use to apply to the law school until the LSAC electronic application process has been made fully accessible. Specifically, the notice will state that LSAC currently provides telephone assistance free of charge to individuals completing applications. The law school will also post current policies of non-discrimination on the basis of disability on its application website. Finally, the law school will cease using the LSAC electronic application process for the fall 2012 application cycle if the LSAC website is not fully accessible under the terms reached in the agreement involving the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), LSAC and the department.
The agreement is the result of an investigation following a complaint from the NFB about the school’s use of the LSAC website. The department is working with other law schools to reach similar agreements. “Increased use of the Internet or other electronic technologies may enhance convenience for law schools and applicants alike, but the rights of individuals with disabilities may not be violated in the process,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “In this case, blind students were denied an equal opportunity to apply to law school. The ADA requires equal access to educational opportunities, and the Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorous enforcement of the ADA.” In passing the ADA and the recent ADA Amendments Act, Congress found that individuals with disabilities were uniquely disadvantaged in critical areas, including education. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations and covers discrimination by private educational facilities, including law schools and other post-graduate institutions. Those interested in seeking information about ADA rights and responsibilities may access the department’s ADA website at http://www.ada.gov/ or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). For the full agreements, visit www.ada.gov/LSAC.htm and www.ada.gov/john-marshall-lawsch.htm .11-519Civil Rights Division
Toby Olson, Executive SecretaryGovernor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment360-486-5891360-407-2647 FAX360-486-5897 TTY
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today its participation in two related settlement agreements involving the accessibility of the Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) online application service, which is used by law schools nationwide for their application processes. As a result of these agreements, LSAC’s online application service, and the online application process of the nation's law schools, will be accessible to individuals who are blind.
Under the first agreement, which resolves a lawsuit filed against LSAC by the National Federation of the Blind, LSAC will take critical steps to ensure that its online application website, http://www.lsac.org/ , will be fully accessible to individuals who use screen readers by the beginning of the fall 2012 application cycle. Application through the LSAC website offers several convenient features to applicants—including LSAC’s “Common Information Form;” bundling of applications into the required LSAC Credential Assembly Service, which eliminates the need to obtain multiple transcripts, letters of recommendations and evaluations for applicants to more than one school; and online payment of the application fee. The department is a signatory to this agreement, which signifies that the steps the LSAC will undertake for its website will satisfy, in part, the law schools’ obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make their application processes equally accessible to individuals who are blind.
The second agreement is between the department and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. It requires the law school to modify its own website to notify potential applicants of a process they may use to apply to the law school until the LSAC electronic application process has been made fully accessible. Specifically, the notice will state that LSAC currently provides telephone assistance free of charge to individuals completing applications. The law school will also post current policies of non-discrimination on the basis of disability on its application website. Finally, the law school will cease using the LSAC electronic application process for the fall 2012 application cycle if the LSAC website is not fully accessible under the terms reached in the agreement involving the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), LSAC and the department.
The agreement is the result of an investigation following a complaint from the NFB about the school’s use of the LSAC website. The department is working with other law schools to reach similar agreements. “Increased use of the Internet or other electronic technologies may enhance convenience for law schools and applicants alike, but the rights of individuals with disabilities may not be violated in the process,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “In this case, blind students were denied an equal opportunity to apply to law school. The ADA requires equal access to educational opportunities, and the Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorous enforcement of the ADA.” In passing the ADA and the recent ADA Amendments Act, Congress found that individuals with disabilities were uniquely disadvantaged in critical areas, including education. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations and covers discrimination by private educational facilities, including law schools and other post-graduate institutions. Those interested in seeking information about ADA rights and responsibilities may access the department’s ADA website at http://www.ada.gov/ or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). For the full agreements, visit www.ada.gov/LSAC.htm and www.ada.gov/john-marshall-lawsch.htm .11-519Civil Rights Division
Toby Olson, Executive SecretaryGovernor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment360-486-5891360-407-2647 FAX360-486-5897 TTY
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Americans with Disabilities Act Update
As of yesterday, the ides of March, the revision to the ADA went into effect. Among them is a more clear definition regarding what is a service animal.
Old Definition:
ADA Title III: Implementing Regulation
36.104 Definitions
Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
New Definition Effective March 15, 2011
Title III: Final Rule Amending 28 CFR Pt. 36: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
Definition
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
The most significant Change to the definition is that dogs are now the only recognized animal with the exception of miniature horses in some instances. The clarification of the role of a service animal can preform excluding protection or emotional support is a great step towards better understanding and acceptance.
The Dept. of Justice issued the following corrections to both title II and Title III. Linked below:
Old Definition:
ADA Title III: Implementing Regulation
36.104 Definitions
Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
New Definition Effective March 15, 2011
Title III: Final Rule Amending 28 CFR Pt. 36: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
Definition
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
The most significant Change to the definition is that dogs are now the only recognized animal with the exception of miniature horses in some instances. The clarification of the role of a service animal can preform excluding protection or emotional support is a great step towards better understanding and acceptance.
The Dept. of Justice issued the following corrections to both title II and Title III. Linked below:
- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA
- Title II: Corrections to the Final Rule (HTML) Title II: Corrections (PDF) (as published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2011). This document corrects typographical errors and one substantive error reflected in certain sections of the rule relating to service animals. These corrections should be read together with the final rule published on September 15, 2010.
- Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title III of the ADA
- Title III: Corrections to the Final Rule (HTML) Title III: Corrections (PDF) (as published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2011). This document corrects an inadvertent error in an instruction, the omission of some language in the rule, and an error reflected in certain sections of the rule relating to service animals. These corrections should be read together with the final rule published on September 15, 2010.
- New DOJ Small Business Brief
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)