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 A publication of the New England ADA Center                            May 2013

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Introductory Architectural Plan Reading Workshop
July 10, 2013
Institute for
Human Centered Design
Boston
July 25, 2013
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Boston City Hall Plaza

September 18 & 19, 2013 Baltimore, Maryland
Webinar:
Accessible Fire Alarm Systems

June 6, 2013
Free Online Web Courses 
and Information 
Available 24/7

 
 
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Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin addresses the EXPO.
Vermont Center for Independent Living and New England ADA Center Attend Vermont Business and Industry EXPO 
 
The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) and the New England ADA Center participated in the annual Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry EXPO in South Burlington, Vermont, which attracted 200 business and 3,000 attendees.

Kim Brittenham and Mike Charron from VCIL -- Vermont's Information & Training Provider -- and David West from the New England ADA Center distributed a wide-range of materials, including the new ADA Checklists for facilities and DOJ Small Business Guide, and met many new people seeking ADA information. For example, both EXPO attendees and exhibitors asked about service animals, building accessibility and reasonable accommodations.
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte with Disability Coordinator Jillian Shedd.
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte Addresses New England Council 
 
Disability Coordinator Jillian Shedd attended a recent address by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte at a luncheon sponsored by the New England Council. According to the Union Leader, Ayotte said that the nation's fiscal situation is dire. Stressing the need for a fiscal deal, Ayotte also said that fiscal a deal would be hard to achieve. Read more about Senator Ayotte's remarks.
Joanna Berton Martinez
PSA producer Joanna Berton Martinez accepts award on behalf of CCPD.
Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities Receives Organization of the Year Award From Cambridge Community Television 
 
The Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) along with Tutoring Plus has been honored with an Organization of the Year Award by Cambridge Community Television (CCTV).  CCTV is a nationally recognized nonprofit community media center that serves as a voice and a vision for all residents, businesses and organizations in the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is an annual award given to the organization that has made the best use of CCTV services. 
 
CCPD is being recognized for a series of public service announcements they created to bring awareness to disability-related issues such as the rights of people who use service animals and the importance of not petting or distracting service animals while they are working. View the following public service announcement online:
 
 
 
Raised Gardening Beds Raised Gardening Beds for People with a Disability Available at the Community Garden at Oxbow Park in Morrisville, Vermont
 
To make gardening easier for people with a disability, the Vermont Center for Independent Living's Agrability program as partnered with the United Way of Lamoille County and the Volunteer Center to provide raised beds at the Community Garden at Oxbow Park in Morrisville.
 
The VCIL Agrability program connects farmers with newly acquired disabilities with others who have successfully accommodated their disability. They also make referrals to services available in agriculture, rehabilitation and the community. People interested in having a raised bed in which to garden can contact Tom Younkman at VCIL: http://www.vcil.org/services/ agrability
Zeno Mountain Farm Graphic 'Bulletproof,' a Film Featuring 18 Disabled Actors, Has Local Premiere in Brookline, Massachusetts
 
Bulletproof, a film featuring disabled actors, is scheduled to have a local premier the evening of May 30 in Brookline, Massachusetts at the Coolidge Corner Theater. The movie's 45-member cast and crew features 18 actors with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Yet the 35-minute film, produced by the staff of Zeno Mountain Farm, a Vermont-based group of camps for the disabled, is not about its actors' limitations, according to camp cofounder Will Halby. 
 
"It's all about making an awesome movie," not a statement, says Halby.
 
 
United Cerebral Palsy Graphic United Cerebral Palsy Ranks Four New England States in the Top Ten for Disability Services
 
United Cerebral Palsy has released a new report, The Case for Inclusion, which ranks states in terms of the quality of their disability services. The report focus on key trends affecting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, listing four New England States among the ten best performing states overall.
 
Top ten best performing states:

1. Arizona
2. New Hampshire
3. Oregon
4. Vermont
5. California
6. Washington
7. Michigan
8. New York
9. Connecticut
10. Massachusetts

Read the full report.
Braintree Rehab Hospital and Northeast Passage Graphic Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital and Northeast Passage Extend Invite You to an Adaptive Sports Open House
 
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital and Northeast Passage invite you to an adaptive sports open house!  Individuals with disabilities will have the opportunity to learn how they can pursue their therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports goals.  On site, there will be representatives to discuss adaptive golf, kayaking, and bicycling events that will occur over the next few months.  During the open house, registration will be available for any of these upcoming adventures.  Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
 
The open house is:

Saturday, June 15, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital
250 Pond Street in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Phone 781-348-3827 for more informaiton.
RSVP NOT required.
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Stories from Other States 

US Department of Justice Logo Justice Department Reaches Multiple Settlements with Health Care Providers to Stop Discrimination Against Persons with Hearing Disabilities

The Justice Department, as part of its Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, has reached seven settlements with eight health care providers from across the United States to ensure that they are providing effective communication to people who are deaf or have hearing disabilities. These settlements address the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for health care providers, such as hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and doctor's offices, to provide effective communication to people who are deaf or have hearing disabilities in the provision of medical services. 
 
U.S. Department of Labor Graphic Nearly $18 million for state workforce agencies available through US Labor Department's Disability Employment Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor will fund four to eight cooperative agreements totaling nearly $18 million to improve educational, training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The grants represent the fourth round of funding through the Disability Employment Initiative, which is jointly funded and administered by two Labor Department agencies, the Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy. To date, the department has awarded grants totaling more than $63 million in 23 states.

"The Disability Employment Initiative is working to put job seekers with disabilities to work," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. Read the full press release.

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.