ADA News and Information
ADA National Network Learning Session: Health Care Disparities for People with Disabilities and Potential Role of Physician Bias (2/25/21)
This presentation will review the evidence for health care disparities affecting people with disabilities. It will then introduce a recent nationwide survey of physicians from 7 specialties about their experiences with and perceptions of caring for patients with disability. Read more...
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Nevada to End Discriminatory Policies Against Inmates with HIV and Inmates with Disabilities (2/11/21)
The U.S. Justice Department reached a settlement agreement with the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) that inmates with HIV cannot be illegally segregated or otherwise discriminated against based on their HIV status, and that inmates with disabilities are provided an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from NDOC programs. Read more...
Understanding Your Employment Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for Veterans (2/9/21)
This guide answers veterans' questions about returning to a civilian job or seeking a new job after developing a service-connected disability. It also explains the kinds of adjustments (called reasonable accommodations) that may help you be successful in the workplace. Laws addressed include an interaction among the Employment and Reemployment... Read more...
Traveling by Air with Service Animals (1/11/21)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is issuing a final rule to amend the Department's Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transport of service animals by air. This rule is effective January 11, 2021. Read more...
EEOC Issues Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance on Vaccines (12/30/20)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing vaccine questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated information is included in “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and... Read more...
U.S. Department of Justice on ADA & Education (12/11/20)
When enacting the ADA in 1990, Congress expressly identified education as one area where discrimination against individuals with disabilities remained persistent. Since then, the Justice Department has played a significant role in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal educational opportunities. Read more...
Factsheet on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Addiction and Recovery for State & Local Governments (12/3/20)
The Pacific ADA Center and New England ADA Center, members of the ADA National Network, published a factsheet on the ADA, addiction, and recovery for State and local government programs and services. Read more...
U.S. Justice Department Settles with Amtrak to Resolve Disability Discrimination Across Intercity Rail System (12/2/20)
The Justice Department announced that it reached a national settlement agreement with Amtrak to resolve findings of disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement Amtrak will fix inaccessible stations and establish a $2.25 million fund to pay claims to people who experienced a... Read more...
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics Settle EEOC Disability and Retaliation Lawsuit (11/20/20)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a lawsuit against KS Aviation, Inc., doing business as the Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, in Atwater, California. According to the EEOC, an employee of Sierra Academy asked for a medical leave of absence due to her disability. The company failed to engage... Read more...
U.S. Access Board Launches New Website (11/16/20)
The U.S. Access Board has redesigned and updated its website at www.access-board.gov. The new site features a streamlined design to make information easier to find. New menus and cross links enhance navigation of key resources, including the ADA Accessibility Standards and the Section 508 Standards. Read more...
EEOC Settles Disability Employment Discrimination Lawsuit with Cable Company in Hawaii (10/2/20)
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Oceanic Time Warner Cable LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (Oceanic) in Hawaii for terminating employees with disabilities on leave without engaging in the interactive process. The settlement requires Oceanic to pay $800,000 in monetary damages, change its policies regarding leave and provide training... Read more...
National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2020 (10/1/20)
This year marks not only the 75th observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), but also the 30th anniversary of the ADA. Both milestones are being commemorated with a range of events and activities centered on the theme "Increasing Access and Opportunity." Read more...
Hospitality Industry Article Promoting Good Accessible Design (9/23/20)
A hospitality industry interior designer shares her thoughts about good accessible design in hotels. Read more...
The U.S. Department of Justice - Furthering the Promise: The ADA Mediation Program (8/26/20)
With the enactment of the ADA, Congress expressly encouraged the use of alternative dispute resolution to resolve issues of conflict in disability rights matters. The Justice Department’s voluntary ADA Mediation Program provides an efficient and effective alternative dispute resolution process for resolving complaints under the ADA. 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...