Access New England Logo
 A publication of the New England ADA Center                            April 2013

Quick Links

Introductory Architectural Plan Reading Workshop
May 10, 2013
Barre, VT
Boston Strong Ribbon Graphic  
Donate to The One Fund to help support those most affected by the Boston Marathon bombings
National ADA Symposium 2013 Logo
May 12-15
San Antonio, Texas
Free Online Web Courses 
and Information 
Available 24/7

 
 
Stay Connected:

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter 
View our profile on LinkedIn
Accessible fishing platform on Vermont's New Haven RiverNew Opportunity for People with Disabilities to Fish for Native Brook Trout in Vermont
 
Vermont's Annual Free Fishing Day June 8th holds a new opportunity for people with disabilities to fish for native brook trout in the New Haven River at the new universal design Chuck Baser Memorial Fishing Platform in Bristol.  New Haven River Anglers Association will be on hand to support new fisher-folk while the Bristol Conservation Commission is putting on a BBQ lunch.  This event will be wheelchair accessible with parking provided.  For more information, contact Kim Brittenham at VCIL:  kbrittenham@vcil.org or 800 639-1522 or visit the New Haven River Anglers website: http://newhavenriveranglers. org/.
Ernst van Dyk photo
Valerie Fletcher, IHCD Executive Director, Marie Trotter, IHCD Board President, Ernst van Dyk and Oswald Mondejar, Partners Continuing Care Board member
Ernst van Dyk Speaks at IHCD and Competes in Both the Boston and London Marathons  
 
On Friday, April 12, nine-time Boston Marathon winner Ernst van Dyk spoke at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD). The following Monday, van Dyk placed second in the Boston Marathon, followed  by a third place finish in the London Marathon less than a week later.
 
At IHCD, Ernst spoke about competing as a world-class athlete who has a disability, and the challenges he faces in getting the acclaim and achieving the commercial success that would likely accrue to a competitor without a disability who managed to compile such a spectacular record of success. He also reflected on the role of technology in the events in which he competes, stressing that there needs to be standards so that races remain a test of the competitors and not a reflection of the quality of equipment that may be available to the lucky few.
 
Ernst was not far from the location where the second of two bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. He tweeted, "Was attending a post race event and the second explosion was right across the street. Was terrible to see it all."
 
Speaking about spectators who lost limbs as a result of the bombings, van Dyk told Public Radio International's The World, "Next year I'm coming back to Boston, [and] if the opportunity should arise, I would love to meet them and encourage them. But at the moment you need to let the healing begin and let people recover." In the women's wheelchair division, American Tatyana McFadden finished first in both Boston and London.
Equal Housing HUD graphic
HUD Settles Discrimination Claim with Worcester, Massachusetts Property Firm for Preventing Sale of House to Be Used as Group Home 
 
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a $90,000 Conciliation Agreement with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and the seller of a home in Worcester, Massachusetts, settling allegations they violated the Fair Housing Act by preventing the sale of a house to be used as a group home for persons with disabilities.   The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental or sales transactions based on disability, including preventing a home sale because the home is going to be used by persons with disabilities. Read the full story.
New Hampshire Governors Commission on Disability Banner
Submit a Nominee for the New Hampshire Governor's Accessibility Awards
 
The NH Governor's Accessibility Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments and leadership within a business, organization or individual that supports independence, inclusive, accessible environments and services for individuals with disabilities.
 
 The 2013 Governor's Accessibility Awards categories are:
-  NH Businesses (nonprofit organization and/or for-profit business)
-  Individual and/or State Employee and / or Legislator
-  Community-wide and /or building project
  

Eligibility is open to individuals, communities, educational facilities, businesses/employers, nonprofit organizations, state employees and legislators that develop or works towards improved access for individuals living with a disability within NH.

 

Nomination(s) can be completed by any NH citizen. Nominations must include a Nomination form and one page typed narrative. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2013. View the nomination form.

Andrew Pilkington photo Andrew Pilkington - Independent Filmmaker, Student, Who Does Not Let CP Limit His Dreams
 
Andrew Pilkington, who is 21 and a student at University of Rhode Island, is not only studying filmmaking, but he's completing his first feature-length film and growing his film company called Ruby Andromeda Productions, PLLC.

"I've always known that I wanted to be a filmmaker," said Andrew, who describes his case of cerebral palsy as moderate, with spasticity. "I always knew that I wound find a way to do this." 
Andrew does not have full use of his fingers, arms or legs. To input commands into his computer and to edit his films he uses his nose and his right foot.

It's a long process for a busy college student, but because filmmaking is Andrew's dream, it's a worthwhile endeavor.

"What's great about this simple technology is it gives people with disabilities an opportunity to compete in today's workforce and completely assimilate into today's society," Andrew said. "It really breaks down that wall that used to be for people with disabilities. Now they have productive lives and they get to contribute to society to survive. I'm really thankful for that." Read more about Andrew.
Josh Safdie photo and Berkeley Prize Graphic IHCD's Josh Safdie Awarded 2013 Berkeley Prize Teaching Fellowship
 
Josh Safdie, who is the Director of the Studio at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), has been awarded a 2013 Berkeley Prize Teaching Fellowship  for his courses to be taught at MassArt, "Urban Visionaries: Sustainable City/Inclusive City", and "The 100 Acres: Housing for All."
 
The primary goal for the Fellowship, which was awarded for the first time this year, is to focus students' attention on the social and physical characteristics of the proposed users of the buildings and spaces they design. 
 
The Berkeley Prize is endorsed by the Department of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley. Read about all five of this year's Berkeley Prize Teaching Fellowship award winners
New England ADA Center and IHCD Graphic
Submit Your Questions to the New England ADA Center on Twitter April 29 to May 6, 2013
 
Do you have questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act? If so, join the New England ADA Center on Twitter for a Q&A session and get the answers you're looking for!

To participate in the conversation, tweet your questions with the hashtag #ADAQuestions anytime from Monday, April 29 through Monday, May 6, 2013. Then check back on Tuesday, May 7th from 2:30 to 3:30 PM when we will go over your questions.

You can follow us on twitter @NewEnglandADA.
American Flag
Stories from Other States 

HUD Logo HUD Kicks Off Fair Housing Month with Launch of National Media Campaign

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) has launched a national media campaign to educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. The campaign, titled "Fair Housing Is Your Right. Use It," includes English, Spanish, and Chinese radio and print public service advertisements (PSAs) that feature examples of actions which violate the Fair Housing Act and let the public know what to do if they experience housing discrimination. In addition to radio and print public service announcements, the campaign will use the latest digital and social media to amplify the outreach effort. Read the full story
Photo of Women Members of US Air Force VA Launches Benefits and Services Hotline for Women Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline - 1-855-VA-WOMEN - to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans. The service began accepting calls on April 23, 2013.

"Some women Veterans may not know about high-quality VA care and services available to them," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The hotline will allow us to field their questions and provide critical information about the latest enhancements in VA services."

The hotline is staffed by knowledgeable VA employees who can provide information about benefits including health care services for women. Callers can be linked to information on claims, education or health care appointments as well as information about VA cemeteries and memorial benefits. Staff can answer urgent questions and provide referrals to homeless and mental health services as well as provide Vet Center information. Read the full story
Office of Disability Employment Policy Graphic Labor Department Reports on Agency's Efforts to Improve Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor highlights the agency's efforts to make sure that people with disabilities are fully included in its mission of improving job opportunities. Real People, Real Impact shares the department's initiatives, achievements and resources over the past four years to improve job opportunities for people with disabilities at the federal, state and local levels.

New England ADA Center and IHCD Logo


 

ADA National Network Logo

The New England ADA Center is a member of the ADA National Network funded by US Department of Education through National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research Grant # H133A110028.