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January Newsletter

Dear <<First Name>>,

Thank you for subscribing to the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network (ADANN) newsletter!

We hope you had a pleasant holiday season and New Year's celebration. Hereat the ADA National Network, we are excited to spend this upcoming year focused on our celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th. Learn how you can be involved all year long by visiting our Anniversary Toolkit and stay tuned for updates on anniversary events throughout the year!

As always, our ADA specialists are here to help. Contact us at 1-800-949-4232 (toll-free voice or TTY) or email us.

ADA in the News - Highlights

Comcast Now Offers Customer Service in ASL, A First for the Cable Industry

How to Ask for Workplace Accommodations, According to Eight People Who’ve Done It

International Day of Persons With Disabilities – Disability Inclusion is Long Overdue

We Can Do Better On Winter Weather Accessibility

If You’re Disabled, Accessing Transit Can Be Like Solving A Puzzle With A Lot Of Missing Pieces

Cruise Line Going “Sensory Inclusive”

Upcoming Events

Thursday, January 9th, 2020 11:30 AM PST - 1:00 PM PST
ADA National Network Learning Session: Earthquake Preparedness For Everyone, With Everyone [WEBINAR]
Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves before, during, and after earthquakes. People with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) or disabilities need to be aware of what steps to take for earthquake preparedness and emergency managers need to be deliberate in including people with disabilities in their advising, education and outreach efforts. In this webinar, participants will get an overview of new resources and materials developed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. Emergency Managers will learn steps to take to include people with disabilities in preparedness education and drills. This presentation will also highlight a best practice model for providing earthquake preparedness training for and with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Learn More/Register

Thursday, January 9th, 2020 2:30 PM EST - 4:00 PM EST
Using the ADA and ABA Standards: Chapter 1: Application and Administration [WEBINAR]
The ADA Standards apply nationwide to many types of facilities in the private sector and the state and local government sectors. Facilities funded by the federal government are subject to similar standards issued under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). This session kicks off a year-long, chapter-by-chapter review of these standards with a focus on those sections where questions or confusion often arise. Presenters will cover how the ADA and ABA Standards apply in new construction, alterations, and additions, dimensions for adults and children, equivalent facilitation and modifications or waivers, construction tolerances and other conventions, referenced standards, and definitions.
Learn more/Register

Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 2:00 PM EST - 3:30 PM EST
Drugs, Alcohol and Conduct Rules Under The ADA [WEBINAR]
Employers and employees frequently express confusion about how the ADA interfaces with issues involving drugs, alcohol and related conduct rules. When are drug testing or fitness-for-duty examinations permissible? Can an employer request medical substantiation of rehabilitation? How do state marijuana laws or opioid use interface with the ADA? This webinar will review how these and other issues are addressed under the ADA, federal regulations and guidance, and case decisions and settlements across the country.
Learn More/Register

Thursday, January 16th, 2020 to Friday, January 17th, 2020
Winter 2020 ADA Coordinator Conference [CONFERENCE]
The ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP) presents the Winter ADA Coordinator Conference on January 16th and 17th, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. This 2-day event will be held at the Black Canyon Conference Center. The conference will offer a variety of sessions and feature speakers from the National Network of ADA Centers, and other nationally recognized ADA experts.
Learn More/Register

Thursday, January 16th, 2020 2:00 PM EST - 3:30 PM EST
The ADA in Jails and Prisons: A Guide to Accommodating Inmates and Visitors with Disabilities [WEBINAR]
More than 750,000 people with disabilities are incarcerated in the U.S. These inmates are more likely to serve harder time with less access to positive programming and services if the facility does not fully comply with the ADA and implement best practices. Visitors also face hindrances when the facility fails to accommodate their disabilities. The Southwest ADA Center’s “Disability-Related Access for Inmates and Visitors Guide” is designed to educate and train facility staff regarding their ADA responsibilities. This webinar will examine the comprehensive Guide and discuss how it can be utilized within the correctional system.
Learn More/Register

Thursday, January 16th, 2020 2:00 PM EST - 3:30 PM EST
Expand Your Outreach with an Accessibility Champions Program [WEB CONFERENCE]
Join us for the kickoff webinar in the 2020 Accessible Technology Webinar Series! Multiply the power of your accessibility team by transforming your entire company into Accessibility Champions. Intuit shares road maps, goals, techniques, lessons learned, and results.
Learn More/Register

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 2:00 PM EST - 3:30 PM EST
Employment First and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [WEBINAR]
Employment First is a value that every person with a disability has a FIRST employment option in an integrated workplace earning competitive wages. Employment First is a mindset, an outcome, and a commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are working in real jobs for real pay. Join us as our speakers discuss Employment First and answer your questions. Learn about Employment First and how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) work together for people with disabilities in the workforce.
Learn More/Register

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 2:30 PM EST - 4:00 PM EST
Sharing Your Story with Confidence in the Workplace [WEBINAR]
This is the seventh webinar in an eight-part series Advancing Equal Employment Opportunities and Creating Inclusive Workplaces that will run through February 2020. The webinar series aims to build awareness of Employment First and will feature a variety of topics for supported employment providers, vocational rehabilitation professionals, self-advocates, and families. Each webinar will embrace the APSE vision, mission and values, and provide tools and resources that can be used to advance equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Learn More/Register

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 1:00 PM EST - 2:30 PM EST
Section 508 Questions and Answers with the Access Board and GSA [WEBINAR]
In this webinar, Section 508 Specialists at the U.S. Access Board and the General Services Administration will answer your questions about the refreshed Section 508 Standards. The presenters will review questions that commonly arise in applying and meeting the 508 Standards. They will address how the standards are used in the acquisition of information technology, interpretations of various provisions in the standards, how to validate conformance with Section 508 and various types of testing tools, resources that are available to help users understand and implement Section 508, and other topics. The session is intended for an entry-level audience, but all are welcome.
Learn More/Register

This Month's Special Feature

Our newest ADA Success Story is here! The ADA National Network provides technical assistance, training, and public awareness about the ADA. These activities often result in greater implementation of the ADA in cities and states across the country. Our ADA Success Stories highlight this increase in access and implementation.

Read our latest story: A Small Business Owner Was Able to Ensure Access to Her Business During Construction Thanks to the ADA.

For more Success Stories click here. To find more ADA National Network Short Success Stories click here.

This Month's Featured Media

Americans living with disabilities are often faced with obstacles when it comes to accessibility. These obstacles can lead to adventures and misadventures alike. Twice per month, an esteemed guest will share their story with the Rocky Mountain ADA Center. Whether you want to learn about how to make life more accessible for you or a loved one, the Adventures in Accessibility podcast is for you.

For more media visit our YouTube Channel to watch ADA National Network videos!

Have ADA questions? Contact us!