July 2015 Newsletter

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has recorded a message enthusiastically supporting the Wednesday, July 22nd ADA25Boston celebration taking place on Boston Common from 11AM - 3PM.

In remarks, which can be viewed online, Senator Warren stresses the unique role that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had in advancing access and civil rights for Americans with disabilities over the past 25 years, and looks forward to continued progress in the next quarter century.

We are just a week away from the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration on the Boston Common, Wednesday July 22 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM! Kicking off the event, there will be a march. Leading the march will be the youth for the ADA, followed by the Pioneers of the ADA, The Hot Tamales, and all of YOU!

The march gathers by 11:00 AM on the Boston Common at the corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets and proceeds to the ADA 25 Boston Celebration stage at the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets. We hope to meet you there!

For more information about the ADA 25 Boston Celebration, please visit out website: www.ADA25Boston.org, and don't forget to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, #ada25boston.

The National Association of the Deaf alleges that Harvard University violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("Section 504") by denying individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing equal access to Harvard's thousands of free online videos and audio files, which includes courses, educational lectures, and topics of general interest. In short, the plaintiffs claim Harvard has failed to make its content accessible.

Harvard moved to have the case dismissed, but in a Statement of Interest posted June 15 on the ADA.gov web site, the DOJ states that the claim falls squarely within the protections afforded by the ADA and Section 504. Download the statement of interest (.doc).

The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and Wells Fargo & Company announced the launch of America's Disability Rights Museum on Wheels, the country's first disability rights mobile museum.

America's Disability Rights Museum on Wheels is an accessible self-contained motor vehicle that features interactive learning opportunities. The museum will also be joined by the ADA Legacy Tour, a national bus tour that has traveled more than 14,000 miles commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For information about sponsoring the DRMW, read the full announcement and contact Liz Taub at liz@usbln.org.

Registration for the Maine Design Awards in recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA is now open! Entries are due by July 31st.

Also register for the New SustainABILITY workshop and Award Celebration September 25th at Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine. Visit www.sustainABLEforME.org for more information!

Members of the public, political figures and representatives from disability-focused groups gathered Monday, July 6 in front of Milford City Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Participating entities included the Center for Disability Rights-CT, West Haven Community House's Community Connection, City of West Haven, City of Milford, Connecticut Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, the Agency on Aging and Bodie's Place of Milford. Watch an online video with highlights of the celebration!

Photo: Benjamin G. Blake, Mayor of Milford, Connecticut.

The MIT class, 6.811 Principles and Practices of Assistive Technology, team's engineering students and clients with disabilities to create customized assistive technology solutions. The class is currently seeking clients with disabilities who have specific project ideas, and visually impaired volunteers to test a wearable navigation system

Apply online if you are interested in participating. The application deadline is August 8.

Join others in their commitment for another 25 years of the ADA and beyond!

Take 1 minute and Sign the Pledge

Act now by Using your smart phone, tablet, or computer and visit ADAanniversary.org

The 83rd annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As the resolution states, "The United States Conference of Mayors supports ADA25 and urges all cities and municipalities to work with civic and disability partners to inspire action with commitments and legacies that fulfill the ADAS's transformative promise of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency of people with disabilities." Read the full resolution.

To help state and local governments understand how the ADA applies to their particular programs, services and activities, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has published a new technical assistance document, ADA Update: A Primer for State and Local Governments.

The illustrated guide addresses Title II's nondiscrimination requirements such as program accessibility, service animals, communicating with people with disabilities, power-driven mobility devices and policies and procedures. The document also addresses how the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to existing buildings and facilities, new construction and alterations. Access the guide online!(PDF)

The EEOC has updated its Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination and Related Issues in light of the Supreme Court's Young v. UPS ruling issued earlier this year in March. The updated guidance reflects the High Court's conclusion that women may be able to prove unlawful pregnancy discrimination when an employer has accommodated some workers but refused to accommodate pregnant women. In addition to the updated guidance, the EEOC has issued a question and answer document as well as a fact sheet for small businesses. The document and fact sheet are available on the EEOC web site. Read the full announcement.