ADA News and Information
ADA National Network Learning Session: US Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) - Enforcing Disability Rights Authorities (8/27/20)
The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex. This seminar will focus on OCR's role in enforcing those laws that protect the rights of those... Read more...
EEOC Technical Assistance Documents on Opioid Addiction & Employment under ADA (8/7/20)
The EEOC released two technical assistance documents on opioid abuse and the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Read more...
California Company Settles with EEOC for Disability Discrimination in Hiring (7/29/20)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a disability discrimination lawsuit with Guidewire Software, Inc., a California based software publisher. The settlement occurred after an applicant with a hearing disability requested an in-person interview rather than a telephone interview as a reasonable accommodation, but Guidewire never contacted the... Read more...
EEOC Creates Web Page to Mark ADA's 30th Anniversary (7/26/20)
On July 26, 2020, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To mark the ADA’s 30th anniversary, we have created this web page to provide helpful information about disability rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Read more...
U.S. Department of Justice Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative: The Promise of Equal Access to Health Care (7/23/20)
The ADA guarantees people with disabilities equal access to medical providers like doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and hospitals. The Department of Justice continues to vigorously enforce the ADA to eliminate physical and attitudinal barriers that keep people with disabilities from accessing the medical care they need. Read more...
New Study Shows the Percentage of Working Age People in Nursing Homes by State (7/1/20)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates the right to live in the community with supports instead of living in a nursing home. This right was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark Olmstead decision in 1999. Read more...
The Department of Justice Warns of Inaccurate Flyers and Postings Regarding the Use of Face Masks and the Americans with Disabilities Act (6/30/20)
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband reiterated today that cards and other documents bearing the Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from face mask requirements are fraudulent. Read more...
Online Civil Rights Complaint Portal (6/24/20)
A U.S. Department of Justice online portal allows people with disabilities to make a civil rights violation complaint under all titles of the ADA and other applicable laws. Read more...
Counter Displays Do Not Breach ADA Rights of Persons in Wheelchairs (6/19/20)
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held in three related cases against Starbucks that accessible sales and service counters are not required to provide a minimum of 36 inches of clear or usable counter space for disabled patrons. Read more...
COVID-19 ALERT: Fraudulent Facemask Flyers (5/26/20)
The Department of Justice has been made aware of postings or flyers on the internet regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the use of face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which include the Department of Justice’s seal. These postings were not issued by the... Read more...
EEOC and FedEx Ground Settle Nationwide Disability Discrimination Lawsuit (5/19/20)
FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. will pay $3.3 million and change their policies to resolve a companywide disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC charged that FedEx Ground denied deaf and hard-of-hearing package handlers reasonable accommodations and that it discriminated against deaf and... Read more...
U.S. Access Board Issues Guidance on Toilet and Bathing Facilities and Drinking Fountains (5/6/20)
The U.S. Access Board released technical bulletins on accessibility to restrooms, bathing facilities, and drinking fountains. This material explains specifications for water closets, toilet compartments, showers, bathtubs, and drinking fountains in the ADA Accessibility Standards. Read more...
U.S. Access Board Initiates Update of Accessibility Guidelines for Rail Cars (4/10/20)
The U.S. Access Board is initiating rule-making to update its accessibility guidelines for rail cars covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and seeks public comment on this effort. The U.S. Access Board has extended the deadline for comments to July 14, 2020. Read more...
Target Corporation Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit (4/2/20)
Target Corporation agreed to make changes to its hiring and training practices and pay damages to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The federal agency charged that the nationwide retailer failed to interview a qualified applicant because he was deaf. Read more...
HHS issues bulletin on civil rights, HIPPA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (3/28/20)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Civil Rights (OCR) reminds covered entities of their obligations under laws that prohibit discrimination. “HHS is committed to leaving no one behind during an emergency, and this guidance is designed to help health care providers meet that goal” -... Read more...
Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Walgreens to Resolve HIV Discrimination (3/27/20)
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with Walgreens, a national retail and pharmacy chain. The settlement agreement resolves a complaint under the ADA that alleges that a Walgreens pharmacy in Nevada refused to give a customer a flu shot because he has an HIV diagnosis. Read more...
What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19 (3/18/20)
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. The following publication answers common employer questions about what to do after a pandemic has been declared. Applying these principles to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following may be useful: Read more...
U.S. Department of Education Issues Statement on The Importance of Accessible Online Education in Light Of Covid-19 (3/18/20)
For further information see the press release at https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-releases-webinar-fact-sheet-protecting-students-civil-rights-during-covid-19-response Read more...
The U.S. Census and American Sign Language (3/11/20)
In 2015, in the United States’ Census report showed that there are 380 possible languages and 39 language groups. However, American Sign Language (ASL), the natural language of the American Deaf community is not included in the enumeration of languages in the United States, nor is sign languages as a... Read more...
5 Things To Know About Coronavirus And People With Disabilities (3/8/20)
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has everyone hopefully, taking steps to control the outbreak and prepare to get through whatever may come of it. But one group faces additional risks and consequences, as well as anxieties: people with disabilities and or chronic illnesses. Read more...