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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...

The intersection of disability and food insecurity

Posted on March 13, 2025

A new Rocky Mountain ADA Center post talks about how food insecurity rates are much higher among adults with disabilities compared to those without disabilities. The post discusses: Barriers individuals with disabilities face getting food, Current nutrition assistance and support systems, and Recommendations for dealing with food insecurity amongst individuals with disabilities. To learn more,...

People with disabilities more affected by natural disasters

Posted on March 13, 2025

U.S. Census Bureau data shows that after disasters, people with disabilities are more likely to: Be displaced, Never return home, and Receive scam offers. To learn more, read the article "Disability amid disaster: People with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters."

Airlines challenge wheelchair accessibility rule

Posted on March 4, 2025

Some of the largest airlines in the US are looking to overturn a recent Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that requires higher standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, especially wheelchair users. The rule's requirements include: New training for airline employees who work with travelers with disabilities and Higher penalties for mishandled mobility devices, including wheelchairs....

California Civil Rights Department has new resources on Californians’ rights

Posted on March 4, 2025

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has new resources that talk about protections for people across the State, including those with disabilities. Through new fact sheets and trainings, they are letting Californians know about their rights and to report discrimination. These resources include: New sessions of CRD's Civil Rights 101 webinar series. In-depth guidance on...

Uber adds option for riders with service animals

Posted on March 4, 2025

The ride-sharing service, Uber, has a new feature to better accommodate passengers with disabilities. It now offers individuals traveling with service animals the option to self-identify in the app and automatically notify drivers at pickup. If a rider said they have a service animal and the driver cancels their trip at pickup, the driver will...

Aging, disability and ADA rights

Posted on March 4, 2025

The Rocky Mountain ADA Center has a new blog post, Aging and Disability. It discusses that as people age, they may begin to have new disabilities that are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. They would have rights and the protections provided by this law

Update on the Texas v. Becerra Lawsuit dealing with Section 504

Posted on February 27, 2025

This lawsuit was filed by 17 states and would invalidate many of the protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and its updated Section 504 regulations. Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination by the federal government and by those who get federal funding in areas like health care, education, employment, housing,...

Impact of artificial intelligence for people with disabilities

Posted on February 27, 2025

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has a new study on the impact artificial intelligence (AI) will have on people with disabilities. The report “Empowering or Excluding: Expert Insights on Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for People with Disabilities” discusses topics including how: Human auditing of AI decisions in employment is critical. The tech industry needs...

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