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U.S. Department of Labor proposes changes to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act regulations

Posted on August 28, 2025

The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing to change its regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 503 regulations require that businesses with federal contractors use voluntary surveys to track their progress in hiring and employing people with disabilities. The regulations also include a goal for contractors — businesses with federal...

US Department of Labor has new resources for veterans with disabilities

Posted on August 28, 2025

Developed by the Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit is a resource focused on increasing employment rates and participation in apprenticeship programs by veterans with disabilities. It offers tips and strategies to help improve workplace supports and accommodations. The toolkit has helpful information for...

Lemoore School District agrees to monitoring and training after disability discrimination investigation

Posted on August 28, 2025

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) reached a settlement with the Lemoore Union Elementary School District in Kings County to deal with complaints that a district employee faced disability discrimination in the workplace. The district will pay a little over $90,000 to the employee, and the state will monitor to make sure future disability complaints...

The ADA and rideshare companies

Posted on August 7, 2025

The Rocky Mountain ADA Center has a new research report, "The ADA and Riding or Driving with Rideshare Companies like Uber and LYFT." This report discusses what both riders and drivers of rideshare apps, like Uber and Lyft, need to know about rideshare companies and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For riders with disabilities,...

New ADANN resource: 10 things to know about the ADA

Posted on August 7, 2025

The ADA National Network (ADANN) has a new factsheet, 10 Things to Know About the ADA. It gives an overview of 10 things everyone should know about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it helps make sure people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in their communities. The fact sheet is...

Justice Department opens investigation into Flix North America, FlixBus, and Greyhound for disability discrimination

Posted on August 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has started an investigation into the bus companies FlixBus and Greyhound (operated by Flix North America Inc., FlixBus Inc., and Greyhound Lines Inc.) to determine whether they violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by discriminating against passengers with disabilities and denying them reasonable...

DOE to drop accessibility requirement for buildings receiving federal funds

Posted on July 24, 2025

New and existing buildings receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) won’t have to meet accessibility requirements starting September 12. On May 16, the agency used a direct final rule to announce it’s rescinding a rule requiring any building receiving federal funds, whether for new construction or undergoing renovation, to be made accessible....

EEOC sues Walmart for disability discrimination

Posted on July 24, 2025

In a lawsuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged that Walmart failed to provide a readily available reasonable accommodation for an employee with a disability. Instead, the company placed her on unpaid leave. Walmart repeatedly refused to allow an employee to return to the work she had successfully performed for nine years at...

New guide on including accessible social media content within emergency communications

Posted on July 24, 2025

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has a new guide, "Integrating Accessible Social Media Content within Emergency Communications." It provides local areas, Public Information Officers, Crisis Communication Specialists, and emergency managers with the information needed to create and post accessible social media content that can be accessed using assistive devices such as...

Everport Terminal Services to pay $200,000 to settle EEOC disability discrimination charge

Posted on July 2, 2025

Everport Terminal Services (ETS), which operates a terminal at the Port of Oakland, agreed to provide $200,000 to a former employee following an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The investigation found that ETS failed to provide a reasonable accommodation to a worker with a disability employed as a “steady” longshoreman mechanic...

Elaine’s Pet Resorts settles EEOC disability discrimination lawsuit

Posted on July 2, 2025

Elaine’s Pet Resorts, et. al., which operates pet resorts in Fresno and Madera, California, will pay $35,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Since at least 2021, the company did not hire or terminated employees who failed the company’s post-offer drug screening, even...

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...

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