“Lunch and Learn” discusses accessibility in houses

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - Housing advocates are keeping the conversations going after the two days SAW Housing Summit that was held last year.

The topic of this most recent “Lunch and Learn” was centered around accessible housing and housing for older adults. Scott Pruett, Director of the Universal Design Project said why there is some accessibility legislation found under fair housing laws there is not a lot of regulations when it comes to accessibility in the housing market.

“The ADA does not apply to privately owned homes, it is more for commercial spaces,” said Scott Pruett. Read More

Justice Department to Publish Final Rule to Improve Access to Medical Care for People with Disabilities

On the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the ADA to improve access to medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) for people with disabilities. MDE includes equipment like medical examination tables, weight scales, dental chairs, x-ray machines and mammography machines. Accessible MDE is essential for people with disabilities to have equal access to medical care. Read More

Justice Department Finds Minnesota City’s “Crime-Free” Housing Program Discriminates Against Tenants with Mental Health Disabilities

The Justice Department announced today that the city of Anoka, Minnesota, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act by denying tenants with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to receive emergency assistance. Read More

Justice Department Finds Nebraska Violates Federal Civil Rights Laws by Unnecessarily Institutionalizing People with Serious Mental Illness

The Justice Department announced today that it found that Nebraska is unnecessarily segregating people with serious mental illness (SMI) in assisted living facilities and day program facilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. The department found that Nebraska is restricting access to critical community-based services that people with SMI need to live and work in the community.  Read More

Accessible Street Design Survey for the Disabled Community

You are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Smart Growth America, supported by the International Parking & Mobility Institute and the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. Read More

Financial Resources and Discounts for Students With Disabilities

Here is useful link for students with disabilities! https://couponfollow.com/research/financial-resources-for-students-with-disabilities

Justice Department Issues Guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Employment Services for People with Disabilities

Nationally, a significant number of individuals with disabilities spend the majority of their daytime hours receiving public services in sheltered workshops and facility-based day programs. These settings segregate individuals from the community and provide little or no opportunity to interact with people without disabilities, other than paid staff. Read More

NCD celebrates 50 year anniversary of Rehabilitation Act of 1973

WASHINGTON--Today the National Council on Disability celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first civil rights legislation protecting disabled people from discrimination. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon on Sept. 26, 1973, after he vetoed the legislation twice. It would be the precursor for future disbility rights protections, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Read More

Be wary of offering ‘help,’ and other ways to support families with disabilities

When my son was born sick, and eventually diagnosed with severe disabilities, friends helped in a variety of ways. One friend texted several times a day to let me know she was thinking of us without expecting a response in return. Another friend let me vent over the phone where I repeated and tried to understand constantly changing news I received from doctors. Read More

Disability Advocate Rebekah Taussig: Here’s How We Shift from Ableism to True Accessibility

PLANNING MAGAZINE

The author and @sitting_pretty Instagram influencer shares her vision for shifting the cultural narrative around disability.  Read More

Activist Judy Heumann led a reimagining of what it means to be disabled

Judy Heumann was the first person I called when, in 1987, I reported my first story on disability rights. Judy, who contracted polio when she was 18 months old, gave me the quote that perfectly summed up that little-known civil rights movement.  Read More

Web Meeting on how Systems Change fosters enhanced ADA compliance

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for a Virtual Community Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 1 pm until 4 pm, EST, in which we will discuss how Systems Change fosters enhanced ADA compliance.  During this Community Meeting, you will hear from stakeholders who have engaged on Systems Change and how it has resulted in enhanced ADA compliance. Register Here