Modern Web Accessibility - Revisiting Fundamentals and Looking at New Challenges

Tomorrow, the Great Lakes ADA Center will host another webinar in their Accessible Technology Webinar Series. This session will feature Jared Smith from WebAIM on web accessibility.

The webinar will be both a refresher on tried and true accessibility techniques as well as a fresh look at web accessibility challenges facing today’s web design requirements. While awareness of web accessibility is increasing, it can often be an overwhelming thing to implement.

The presenter, Jared Smith from WebAIM, will provide an overview of web accessibility with specific things that you can begin to implement today. It will also provide an overview of tools and resources for evaluating your site's current accessibility.

This webinar will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2016 from 2:00-3:30 Eastern time. This webinar is free but interested individuals must register to participate.

To register, please visit:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/schedule

ADA Legal Webinar Series

The Great Lakes ADA Center, on behalf of the ADA National Network, will host a new session in their ADA Legal Webinar Series. In this webinar, attorneys Barry Taylor and Rachel Weisberg will review the top ADA cases of 2016.

Courts across the country decided a number of significant ADA cases in 2016, and this session will provide an in-depth review of the top ADA cases from the past year. In addition to reviewing the specific facts and ruling in each case, there will also be a discussion of the impact these cases may have on future ADA litigation. This webinar will cover a wide variety of ADA issues under Titles I, II and III. Start the New Year off right with a better understanding of the most important ADA cases decided in 2016!

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. eastern time. The webinar is free but registration is required to participate.

To register, please visit:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ada-legal/schedule

ADA Webcast

The Great Lakes ADA Center will host an audio conference that features representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice answering questions about the ADA and their enforcement activities on Tuesday, November 15 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. (Eastern time).

Be ready to ask your tough questions regarding a specific aspect of the Title II or Title III provisions of the ADA, or any of their enforcement activities they have undertaken over the past several months. The DOJ will provide a brief update on their ADA related activities prior to the Q&A session.

For more information about this session, contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu. To register for this free event, please visit:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ADA-Audio/schedule

The ADA, Sensory Disabilities, and Assistive Technology

The Great Lakes ADA Center is announces an upcoming session titled The ADA, Sensory Disabilities, and Assistive Technology: Core Technologies for Non-visual Access scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

This webinar will combine aspects of the ADA as it relates to Assistive Technologies that benefit people with low vision or individuals who are blind.  Presenters include Diego Demaya, Legal Specialist with the Southwest ADA Center, and Curtis Chong, Assistive Technologist with the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. During the presentation we will discuss:

• Recent ADA cases involving access for persons who are blind and individuals with low vision;
• Talk about employment-related technology access issues for individuals who are blind or experience low vision; and
• Go over some examples of auxiliary aids that are useful in places of public accommodation for individuals who are blind or experience low vision.

For more information or to register, please visit:
http://www.adaconferences.org/RESNA/

Questions should be directed to webinars@adaconferences.org or by calling 877-232-1990 (V/TTY) M-F 8:00-5:00 p.m. (Central Time).

Stipend available for ADA Symposium

The ADA National Network is hosting the 20th annual ADA National Symposium on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability issues. The Symposium will take place in Denver, Colorado from June 19 to 22, 2016.

The ADA Symposium includes up to date information regarding employment, communication, transportation, emergency preparedness, case law, regulatory updates for government and private entities and the latest on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

The Great Lakes Center will be offering a number of stipends in the amount of $650.00 to cover the cost of registration (not to include late fees).   The conference is very popular and registration numbers have swelled over the past few years. Applications will only be accepted from individuals who reside in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI). This stipend is valid for the 2016 Symposium and registration should be completed as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted through January 29th, 2016.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.adagreatlakes.org/

ADA-Webinar on Wellness Programs

Wednesday, November 18th
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EASTERN

To register for this free webinar, please visit:
http://www.ada-audio.org/Webinar/ADALegal/

On November 18th, the Great Lakes ADA Center, on behalf of the ADA National Network, will host another session in their ADA Legal Webinar Series. In this webinar, attorney Diego Demaya will look at the ADA issues raised by employer-sponsored wellness programs.

Register now for Indiana's Governor's Conference for People with Disabilities

The ADA at 25:

Moving Forward,

Looking Back

December 7 & 8, 2015

Westin Downtown Indianapolis

50 South Capitol Ave.

This year's conference will "create a forum for attendees to continue the work of the disability rights movement, explore innovative ways to influence positive change, share experiences and learn from one another." -flyer

Register online at:
gpcpd.org/conference

Commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA

Join July’s ADA-Indiana Audio Conference and commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA by welcoming representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The DOJ and EEOC will provide updates on their litigation, technical assistance, and enforcement efforts over the past year. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community.

The ADA Update Audio Conference session will be available at six Indiana locations (Bloomington, Gary, Indianapolis (two locations), Terre Haute, and Versailles) on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 form 2:00 -3:30 p.m. (Eastern time). Don’t forget to join in Indiana’s State ADA25 Celebration on Friday, July 24th at the Indiana State Museum.

ADA Anniversary Update: 25 Years Later

Tuesday, July 21st   

2:00-3:30 p.m. EASTERN 

6 Indiana Locations
Free and Open to the Public

Register for the webcast on your own

For more information, please visit: http://www.adaindiana.org/audio or contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508 or email adainfo@indiana.edu.

Celebrate 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Bloomington, Ind. – The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility will host a public celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The festivities will take place Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the B-Line Trail at the Bloomington Farmers’ Market, 401 N. Morton St.

 Eight agencies, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Down Syndrome Family Connection, Stone Belt, Area Agency on Aging, LIFEDesigns, League of Women Voters, Ivy Tech and The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, will offer a series of fun and thought-provoking challenges that raise awareness on accessibility issues. Participants will be given scorecards and a chance to win a cupcake and be entered into a drawing for door prizes, as well. Local recording artists Sharlee Davis and Will Devitt will provide entertainment. Join in the fun and learn how to make Bloomington a community for all to feel welcomed.

 In addition to the festivities, the event will hold a presentation to award recipients of the AccessAbility decal to local businesses. AccessAbility decals are rewarded to businesses that meet accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as determined by CCA volunteers and are thus welcoming to people with disabilities, their friends and families. Businesses that will be presented with with a decal at the event are:
   • Bub’s Burger’s, 480 N. Morton St.
   • Bloomington Housing Authority, 1007 N. Summitt St.
   • Domo Steak and Sushi, Inc.,106 S. Franklin Rd.

 Any business may obtain a decal, but its parking spaces, access paths, entrances and doors, service counters, common areas and restrooms must meet the basic requirements of the ADA in order to qualify. CCA members provide free accessibility screenings for businesses and award decals throughout the year.

 For a complete list of Council for Community Accessibility volunteer opportunities and activities or to request an accessibility screening, visit www.bloomington.in.gov/cca or contact Special Projects Coordinator Michael Shermis at cca@bloomington.in.gov or 812.349.3471.

PRESERVE: Local Disability History

PRESERVE: Local Disability History with Alan Rowe, Local History Partners Coordinator, Indiana Historical Society

DATE: Friday, July 24th
TIME: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Indiana State Museum (Training Conference Room)
COST: Free

Dr. Phil Stafford will provide a brief overview of the Indiana Disability History Project and the importance and role of local disability organizations. Alan Rowe from the Indiana Historical Society will provide an overview of how to locate, preserve, and care for your invaluable records, documents, and photographs related to your organization and your local community. He will explain that you don’t have to be a historian to use simple, effective techniques for preserving your organizational and community documents and photographs to preserve your local disability history.

(The class is limited to the first 30 registrants.)

Plan to stay for the afternoon reception to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA!

To register, please visit:
https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9H3xkiXY7xnAe0J

INDOT seeks members for ADA Advisory Working Group

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation is seeking applications from Indiana residents for its Americans with Disabilities Act Community Advisory Working Group.

INDOT seeks individuals from a broad cross-section of Indiana for the panel, and membership is open to anyone. It particularly seeks individuals with disabilities, disability advocates, or individuals who provide services to persons with disabilities. Members serve two-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms.

Selected working group members provide information and recommendations regarding INDOT's ADA Transition Plan, including efforts to increase the public involvement of persons with disabilities in transportation planning. The voluntary group meets quarterly at various locations throughout the state.

Interested Individuals should contact Erin Hall by Aug. 3 via email at ehall2@indot.in.gov or by fax at 317-233-0891.

ADA Legacy Bus Stop in Bloomington

Friday, June 19th 

Noon  - 2:00 p.m. (Drop in at any time!)

Monroe County History Center

202 E. 6th. St., Bloomington

The ADA Legacy Bus Tour Stop in Bloomington will be on Friday, June 19th, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Monroe County History Center. The Bus Stop will coincide with the opening reception for an exhibition in the “Community Voices” Gallery on some of the history of disability in Monroe County.

- Get your picture taken with the ADA Legacy Bus! “The Tour is a traveling exhibit designed to raise awareness and build excitement about ADA25 - the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” Find out more about the ADA Legacy Bus Tour at http://www.adalegacy.com/ada25/ada-legacy-tour.

- Visit the Monroe County “Disability Experience” Exhibit in the Community Voices Galley: The purpose of the exhibit is to preserve the history of the disability movement and its impact on individuals, families, and community; celebrate milestones in the development of services and supports; educate the public about the changing role and position of individuals with disabilities in Monroe County. The exhibit includes fascinating profiles of local residents Byron Smith, Carl Selby (deceased), and Carolyn Abbitt (whose art work will also be on display at the History Center throughout the summer).

- Meet Brother Dave Smith, one of our own locals, who will be joining the ADA Legacy Bus Tour in July as one of the volunteer drivers on the tour, and will be on the bus as it enters Washington D.C. for the “national” celebration.

- Take part in a national campaign to “pledge on” and sign either an individual or organization pledge to recommit to the full implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pledge Cards will be available onsite.

All are welcome. An ASL interpreter will be available for the duration of the event. For more information about this event, directions to the location, or to request an accommodation, please contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail, mnorris@indiana.edu.

The Monroe County History Center is located at 202 E. 6th. St., Bloomington. Museum Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10-4 pm. Phone (812) 332-2517.

They will be giving away free ADA25 Commemoratives!

2015 Indiana Disability Poll Focus on the ADA, 25 Years Later

You are invited to complete a survey about the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA), 25 Years Later. The purpose of this study is to invite people with disabilities, parents, family members, and people in the disability field to share their thoughts about the ADA as the nation approaches the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, and to "grade" their community's efforts in implementing the Act.

The Disability Poll should take you about 10-15 minutes to complete. You will be one of approximately 400-500 people who we hope will complete this poll. You can answer the questions online on a secure web site, or you can request the survey in an alternative format.

The information collected from this survey will help us better understand the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the state of Indiana. Your responses will be used in the development of programs in Indiana communities for people with disabilities.

To request an alternate format or if you have questions about this survey, contact Phil Stafford, Principal Investigator, at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community or by e-mail to staffor@indiana.edu or you may phone him at (812) 855-6508. This project is a collaborative effort between the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities and the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Complete the poll online here: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3657

Your rights in the workplace

This edition of Your rights in the workplace is completely updated to provide the latest legislation and case law that affects employees in all 50 states, including changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), new rules on COBRA continuation of health insurance, and the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). This book also addresses HIV/AIDS, privacy rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Spring edition of CeDIR Citings available

Spring has begun to warm our frosty fingers and thaw our frozen feet! The birds are singing and the crocuses are in bloom. That must mean that it's time for another edition of CeDIR Citings, our biannual newsletter.

This edition focuses on the ADA 25 Years Later and offers websites and other resources to help make this year's 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act memorable.

Find this season's edition and all of the past editions at:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=2316

2015 Indiana Disability Poll

This year's Indiana Disability Poll is asking Hoosiers about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As the 25th Anniversary of the ADA approaches, ADA-Indiana is interested in finding out from people with disabilities, family members, disability advocates, and interested others about their opinions on ADA implementation in Indiana and what's needed moving forward. The Disability Poll is anonymous, and should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Complete this year's Disability Poll online at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3657, or contact Matt Norris at 812-855-6508 or cwlab@indiana.edu for alternative formats.

Bloomington Seeks Public Input on ADA Transition Plan

As part of the City of Bloomington’s ongoing effort to comply with the requirements and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City is seeking public input on a draft version of an update to its ADA Transition Plan. The City of Bloomington prepared its first ADA Transition Plan in 1990 and has updated it several times since then.

The City of Bloomington’s draft update of its ADA Transition Plan can be accessed online at www.bloomington.in.gov/planning. A printed version is available for review at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., in the Indiana Room. Printed and Braille versions of the plan will also be available in the Planning Department office at City Hall, 401 N. Morton St, Suite 160.

Residents have the opportunity to provide input on the draft plan until Feb. 28.  Written comments can be sent to the Planning Department via email at planning@bloomington.in.gov or by mail to 401 N. Morton St., Ste. 160, Bloomington, IN 47404. Residents also may comment by contacting the Planning Department directly at 349-3423.

Good news for racing fans

According to an article from wthr.com, the 100+ year old Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one step closer to getting public funds for large upgrades to not only becoming viable for use at night but also more accessible. Plans include renovating the stands, upgrading facilities and installing high-tech video boards. The Speedway plans to spend at least $10 million to make the facility compliant with the American With Disabilities Act.

To read the entire article, please visit: http://www.wthr.com/story/21252168/indiana-senate-approves-indianapolis-motor-speedway-bill?Clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass

Code Source: Accessibility

Code Source: Accessibility examines accessibility requirements that apply to commercial, residential, and existing buildings. The book focuses on four industry publications: the International building code and its Accessibility Reference Standard, the Revised American with Disabilities Act, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines, and the Federal Fair Housing Act's Accessibility Guidelines.

Want to check it out? email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Become an ADA-Indiana Host Site

ADA-Indiana is seeking to partner with community organizations in Indiana to host a monthly series of Audio Conferences related to the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA-Indiana intends to support up to eight site locations for the 2012-2013 ADA Audio Conference Series, which runs from October 2012 to September 2013.

Organizations wishing to become a local host site for the 2012-2013 ADA Audio Conference series should submit a letter of intent postmarked by October 5th, or complete an online application. An Application Packet is available on the ADA-Indiana website. The packet includes more information about ADA-Indiana’s ADA Audio Conference program, and contains the specific instructions on how to apply.  Please visit the ADA-Indiana website to download the application packet, or complete the online application at http://www.adaindiana.org/. For questions, contact Matt Norris at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail adainfo@indiana.edu.