Training and Dissemination

In November and December the global disability community was addressed at home and abroad by   commemorating the 2014 International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2014 and a “High-level Meeting” during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) week, discussing equal access and inclusive development for people with disabilities.  Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State, Judith E. Heumann, focused...

October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a national initiative to raise awareness about disability employment issues. The 2014 theme was: "Expect. Employ. Empower."  President Obama commemorated NDEAM with a Presidential Proclamation -- National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2014; and through recognition of ten Champions of Change recipients for their...

In September there was legislative activity in the area of disability access, but the legislation was not specific to advanced technology access so the details are not reported in this newsletter.  Nevertheless, such legislative advances address important issues and should not go unmentioned.  The three Bills introduced by Senator Tom Harkins as part of his “Access for All” agenda for individuals with disabilities include: the Exercise and Fitness for All Act [...

In September there was legislative activity in the area of disability access, but the legislation was not specific to advanced technology access so the details are not reported in this newsletter.  Nevertheless, such legislative advances address important issues and should not go unmentioned.  The three Bills introduced by Senator Tom Harkins as part of his “Access for All” agenda for individuals with disabilities include: the Exercise and Fitness for All Act [...

This August, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced requirements and compliance deadlines that impact communications and technology accesses for people with hearing loss.  The first was the order requiring closed captioning of internet video clips [MB Docket No. 11-154] which establishes an effective date of September 4, 2014. They also adopted rules that complement previous commitments made by...

With July marking the 24^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the President took steps to accelerate employment opportunities for people with disabilities by signing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) [H.R. 803].  Among other things, the Act includes provisions to enhance pre-employment...

The 24^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is approaching, and preparations are underway to celebrate achievements and further educate people, businesses and organizations on how to further realize the ADA’s goals.  To that end, the Southeast ADA Center of the ADA National Network has released an ADA Anniversary Tool Kit with information on the background of the ADA, current disability...

Dr. James White, Director of Communications Studies at Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy CACP and Wireless RERC researcher, authored a National Council on Disability (NCD) report: Effective Communication for People with Disabilities Before, During, and After Emergencies Evaluated. The report, which was recently published and...

In April, the Department of Justice reached a 10-year settlement agreement with the State of Rhode Island following investigations into the state’s day-activity service system for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the settlement, Rhode Island has agreed to redirect State funding to more integrated services to ensure individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are afforded better employment and employment transition services.  Federal...

In March, H&R Block entered into a five-year consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ) following complaints that H&R Block violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to ensure accessibility on their website and mobile applications.

In regulatory news, the Federal Communications Commission (...