Government

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released four revised publications on protection against disability discrimination in the workplace. The publications address how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to job applicants and employees with cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. You can find these documents on the EEOC website under "Disability Discrimination, The Question and Answer Series."

The U.S. Department of Justice has signed an agreement with Stewart County, GA, to improve access to all aspects of community life for individuals with disabilities. The agreement is part of Project Civic Access, the department's effort to make sure that counties, cities and towns comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The county will make changes to the sheriff’s department, health department, senior center, municipal center, recreational vehicle park and polling places.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced that it will be sending persons with disabilities as Sports Envoys to China May 15 – 20, 2013 to promote inclusion and equality in sports for persons with disabilities. The Sports Envoy program supports global promotion and practices that respect diversity in sports, and recognition that persons with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $150 million in new funding to help more uninsured Americans enroll in new health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Funding will go to eligible community health centers to help consumers understand their coverage options, determine their eligibility and enroll in new affordable health insurance. The deadline for health centers to apply is May 31, 2013. Find a health center near you.

Join the Conversation for Change, a free, online dialogue to examine the impact of existing federal regulations and legislation on the successful transition from school to work of youth with disabilities. The dialogue will be held May 13 - 27, 2013. The U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration will host the event and invite policymakers, service providers, advocates, youth with disabilities and others to join this online dialogue. Register online.

This year's National Prevention Week (NPW) runs from May 12-18, 2013. During NPW, awareness is raised about mental health and substance abuse issues. This year’s NPW theme is “Your voice. Your choice. Make a difference.” Sign and share the "Prevention Pledge" on the Facebook page of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration to make a difference and commit to a healthy lifestyle.

The U.S. Department of Justice has settled a lawsuit against the Golden Corral restaurant in Westland, MI, for disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit alleged that Golden Corral refused to serve a mother and her children because they had a genetic skin disorder, epidermolysis bullosa. The mother explained her children's disability and that they weren't contagious, but the manager requested the family leave based on customer complaints.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) issued a notice of proposed priority for a Rehabilitation Research Training Center (RRTC) Program on Disability in Rural Areas. The RRTC would research ways to improve access to transportation in rural areas. People with disabilities make up approx. 13.2 percent of the rural population. Improving rural transporatation access would lead to more jobs and community living opportunities for residents with disabilities.  Comments on the proposed priority are due by June 6, 2013.

New research has found that the number of children with a neurodevelopmental or mental health disorder has increased by 16 percent in the last 10 years. The increases may be due to high rates of autism and attention deficit disorders diagnosed in children. The social acceptance of these conditions over the years also may explain the increases. The report also shows that over the same period of time physical disabilities in children have decreased.

The Federal Communications Commission has charged AT&T with improperly billing the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) fund for certain Internet-based TRS calls. TRS allows an individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or who has a speech disability, to have telephone communications. Internet-based Relay allows an individual who has difficulty hearing or speaking to communicate through the telephone system with hearing persons using a computer and the Internet.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement agreement with an Oregon developer, David Montagne, Montagne Development Company, Gateway II LLC, Dav II Investment Group LLC and William Jones to remove accessibility barriers at Gateway Village in Salem, OR. The lawsuit alleged that the developers had violated the Fair Housing Act by building the complex with steps and other features that made it inaccessible to people with disabilities. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged Fabricut, Inc. of Tulsa, OK with alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Fabricut was also charged with alleged violation of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act when it asked for the job applicant's family medical history. The company refused to hire an applicant after a pre-employment medical exam found that she may have carpal tunnel syndrome. 

If you receive Social Security disability benefits and want to make more money through work, Social Security's Ticket to Work (TTW) program can help you to transition to greater financial independence and self-sufficiency. Register for the free Work Incentives Seminar Event on May 22, 2013 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You'll hear about a person with mental illness who found employment through TTW. Register online or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

If you receive Social Security disability benefits and want to make more money through work, Social Security's Ticket to Work (TTW) program can help you to transition to greater financial independence and self-sufficiency. Register for the free Work Incentives Seminar Event on May 22, 2013 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You'll hear about a person with mental illness who found employment through TTW. Register online or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged SITA Information Networking Computing USA, Inc. (SITA) in Atlanta with alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A new employee requested a reasonable accommodation to be allowed to work part-time to complete her recovery from cancer surgery. Instead, SITA withdrew its job offer. The company has agreed to provide equal opportunity training to its staff.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged SITA Information Networking Computing USA, Inc. (SITA) in Atlanta with alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A new employee requested a reasonable accommodation to be allowed to work part-time to complete her recovery from cancer surgery. Instead, SITA withdrew its job offer. The company has agreed to provide equal opportunity training to its staff.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged the Fort Worth Center of Rehabilitation (FWCR) with alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A job applicant requested a reasonable accommodation in the form of a different drug test because of her kidney failure. Instead, the Texas-based FWCR denied her request and took back its conditional offer of employment. The center must pay damages to the applicant and take steps to avoid future discrimination.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged the Fort Worth Center of Rehabilitation (FWCR) with alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A job applicant requested a reasonable accommodation in the form of a different drug test because of her kidney failure. Instead, the Texas-based FWCR denied her request and took back its conditional offer of employment. The center must pay damages to the applicant and take steps to avoid future discrimination.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, has issued a notice inviting applicants for new awards for PTICs in fiscal year 2013. PTICs provide parents of children with disabilities, from birth to age 26, with the training and information they need to help their children. Two awards will be given to PTICs that serve Montana and Arkansas. Application deadline is June 10, 2013 (CFDA Number 84.328M).

GAAD will highlight and introduce the subject of digital accessibility for people with disabilities, including Web, software, mobile apps and devices. Many designers, developers and technology users are unaware of where they can go to learn how to make technologies accessible and inclusive to users with different disabilities. On May 9, 2013, several in-person public events will be held worldwide. Find out how to participate in these events and other events, or create your own.