News

The Pacific ADA Center celebrates 35 years of the ADA

Posted on June 26, 2025

2025 marks 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In a radio interview, Savannah Bradley, Community Outreach and Programs Manager for the Pacific ADA Center, discusses how far we have come and what work is left to be done to support people with disabilities. Listen to the interview!

ADA Anniversary Toolkit

Posted on June 26, 2025

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law 35 years ago on July 26, 1990. The ADA Anniversary Toolkit is a project of the ADA National Network and its ten regional ADA Centers. You can use it to help celebrate and share information about the ADA in your workplaces, schools, and communities throughout...

Looking for survey responses for a telehealth study

Posted on June 26, 2025

Have you used telehealth services? If you have, the Southwest ADA Center would like to hear from you! The Center is asking people with disabilities to complete a survey so they can learn about their experiences using telehealth services. Learn more and take the survey.

Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases

Posted on June 18, 2025

The Supreme Court made it easier for students with disabilities to sue to enforce their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws passed to make sure children with disabilities get appropriate schooling. While the decision may be narrow, it does not decrease its importance for many children with disabilities—children who face "daunting...

Illustration of a doctor holding a file speaking with a patient

Study on how to improve health care access for people with disabilities

Posted on June 18, 2025

The University of Guam's Nursing Program at the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health is leading a five-year research study to learn how to improve health care access for people with disabilities in Guam and other areas in the western U.S., including Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The five-year project will conclude in 2026 and...

New guide on court accessibility for individuals with disabilities

Posted on June 18, 2025

The Southwest ADA Center has a new guide, "Americans with Disabilities Act, Advancing Court Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities." The guide covers topics including: The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA best practices, and Accommodation examples.

Resources to support the mental health and well-being of all workers

Posted on May 21, 2025

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network has a new Workplace Mental Health Toolkit. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to create supportive workplaces for those with mental health conditions. Organizations can learn how to create mental health-friendly workplaces and help their employees access resources that will improve their well-being.

Understanding substance use disorder (SUD) in the workplace

Posted on May 21, 2025

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) website has new information about understanding substance use disorder (SUD) in the workplace. It covers: The prevalence of SUD in America What is SUD? Who is Impacted by SUD? How to create recovery-ready workplaces SUD and the law The webpage also has workplace SUD guides for...

Federal Cuts and ACL Elimination: How will this impact disability programs and services?

Posted on April 24, 2025

Congress is considering drastic budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the upcoming weeks. These budget cuts put critical programs and services for people with disabilities at risk, including the Pacific ADA Center and the entire ADA National Network. HHS plans to “reorganize” the Administration on Community Living (ACL). Established...

New film: Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

Posted on April 17, 2025

The film, Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, is now available to stream. Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act tells the story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Told through the voices of key participants...

Better accessibility for Suns fans who are blind or have low vision

Posted on April 17, 2025

The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and Ticketmaster have partnered with OneCourt to improve accessibility for Suns fans who are blind or have low vision. These fans will now have access to devices that use tactile broadcast technology. Ten OneCourt devices are available free of charge at every home game and allow fans who are blind...

Latest smartphone accessibility features

Posted on April 17, 2025

Consumer Reports has a new list of the latest smartphone accessibility features. These features will help people with cognitive or mobility disabilities and vision or hearing disabilities. There are also motion settings to help with dizziness issues. To learn more, check out the YouTube video.

IKEA’s new accessible home products

Posted on April 17, 2025

The new IKEA home items are made to be stylish and also functional. They all cost less than $40 and can be installed on drywall, tile, and shower walls. The BÄSINGEN line includes six items: Two different step stools with a rail, A shower stool, A toilet roll holder, A towel rail, and A shower...

Justice Department removes disability guidance for businesses

Posted on April 1, 2025

The Justice Department announced the removal of 11 guidelines for businesses looking to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Over the years, ADA rules and guidance have been added to specify protections for people with disabilities. The Department said removing the guidance will help businesses comply with the ADA and eliminate unnecessary review. Advocacy...

American Library Association awards $3.5 million in library accessibility funding

Posted on April 1, 2025

The American Library Association (ALA) awarded $3.5 million in library accessibility funding to 300 small and rural libraries. It is part of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant program that helps libraries increase the accessibility of their facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. The 300 funded...

How more people identifying as disabled could impact workplace accessibility

Posted on April 1, 2025

More workers are asking for workplace accommodations for mental-health conditions. People with disabilities are wondering if the growing number of people who identify as disabled helps or hurts workplace accessibility. Some feel that it helps everyone when more people are making sure their needs are met, and no one should be in charge of deciding...

New free web course: How the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to addiction and recovery

Posted on March 25, 2025

The New England ADA Center has a new web course, "How the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Applies to Addiction and Recovery". Many people with addiction to alcohol and in recovery from opioids and other drugs have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This free, self-paced web course provides an overview of how...

Cutting Edge Supply to pay $150,000 in disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit

Posted on March 25, 2025

Black Diamond Blade Company, doing business as Cutting Edge Supply, a California-based construction supply company operating in Arizona, will pay $150,000 to a former welder and take other actions to settle a disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Cutting Edge did not accommodate a welder with diabetes...

Steps schools should take so all students can use ed tech

Posted on March 18, 2025

To help schools create more accessible digital learning environments, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services published a brief on digital accessibility that provides recommendations for districts to consider. The brief was produced under the direction of the Biden administration, not the current Trump...

Frequently asked questions on the rights of federal employees with disabilities in 2025

Posted on March 13, 2025

This Q&A answers questions being asked by federal employees with disabilities who work for Executive Branch agencies in response to recent federal actions. The Q&A was created by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the American Civil Liberties Foundation, and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. To learn more, read "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on...

News

Recent news