2015 National ADA Symposium
Sessions Schedule and Session Descriptions
PreConference: Sunday May 10th 1:30 - 4:30 pm
PC1: The Foundations of Mindfulness Stress Reduction and Disabilities: Don’t
Just Do Something, Sit There! –Rich Sternadori, Great Plains ADA Center
Stress has significant, measurable deleterious effects on health, happiness, and overall
wellbeing. Peer reviewed research conducted for more than 30 years across many domains
strongly demonstrates that that mindfulness is useful in the prevention and treatment of pain,
stress, depression and relapse, stroke, heart attacks, anxiety, eating disorders, addictions, and
other disorders. This preconference course offers an introduction and foundational principles
structured on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Mindfulness is based on the simple,
fundamental principle of maintaining awareness of our thoughts, emotions, body and each
moment, without judgment or the desire for change. Mindfulness has ancient ties to meditative
practices, but continues to impact modern social, rehabilitative and neurological sciences with
profound results. We will examine all of these aspects during this preconference program. This
class has content that is supportive to ADA coordinators and human resources professionals.
Persons with disabilities, disability agencies, corporations or anyone who is looking for new tools
for their own – or for others - enhanced peace of mind, contentment and health, will find this
introductory course beneficial. After some history and context, participants will actually practice
and experience the hidden gem of mindfulness.
PC2: Emergency Evacuations and People with Disabilities –Rachael Stafford,
Rocky Mountain ADA Center
Participants in this session will have the opportunity to get a "hands-on" experience highlighting
the unique challenges involved in evacuating a building during an emergency. This will be a
highly interactive session requiring extensive attendee participation followed by group discussion
and feedback. This session is highly recommended for anyone with emergency preparedness
responsibilities.
PC3: ADA Basics –Julie Brinkhoff, Great Plains ADA Center
This session is designed for attendees with little or no knowledge of ADA regulations and
guidelines. The session will provide a basic outline of the three major sections of the ADA, Title I,
the employment provisions of the ADA, Title II, the provisions covering state and local
governments, and Title III, the provisions covering business and industry. The three-hour session
will provide a working knowledge of the major concepts and regulations of the ADA. If you have
limited knowledge of the ADA, this session is highly recommended before attending the rest of
the conference. Note: The information in this session will be very basic and is not designed for
anyone with intermediate or advanced knowledge of the ADA.
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Break-Out Session Schedule and Descriptions
Monday May 11
Session 1-- 9:00-11:10
1A:
Design Panel Forum: Meet the Authors of the Accessible Design
Standards—Marsha Mazz, U.S. Access Board, Kim Paarlberg, International Code
Council, Jim Bostrom, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Design Panel Forum is our initial, keynote session in the Design Track representing an
innovative and unique offering in our accessible design programs. Attendees will be able to
participate in developing some of the agenda in this open-format program. The Design Panel
consists of the preeminent, agency leaders in national accessible design regulations Attendees
will be given the opportunity to listen and ask questions of each of these panelists. During the first
segment of the program, each panelist will speak separately about changes, news and other
significant accessible design developments in their respective agencies, documents, policies, etc.
The panelists will then address design appropriate questions from the participants during the
second portion of the program. This forum is for professionals in design, construction, codes and
others with extensive and ongoing experience in accessibility design, enforcement or education.
Note: This program is only recommended for persons with an in-depth understanding and
background in applying the 2010 SAD or the International Building Code (IBC). Advanced
1B*:
Title I Guidelines -Joe Bontke, EEOC Houston Regional Office
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses the rights of individuals with disabilities in
employment settings. ADA Coordinators should understand the basic requirements of Title I and
non-discriminatory employment practices and procedures. This session will discuss who has
obligations and rights under Title I, essential functions of a position, and reasonable
accommodation and accommodation policies. This session will also focus on non-discriminatory
practices related to employment recruitment, application process, interviewing, pre-employment
inquiries & testing, hiring, medical examinations, and performance management.
1C*: Role of the ADA Coordinator -Ed Neuberg, ADA Coordinator, City of Denver
and David Newburger, Commissioner on the Disabled, City of St. Louis
An effective ADA Coordinator is critical to successful ADA implementation. However, the role and
responsibilities of the ADA Coordinator are often both ill defined and misunderstood. This session
will clearly outline the functions of the ADA Coordinator position, the departments and community
members the ADA Coordinator should interact with, and how the ADA Coordinator position
should fit within the overall structure of the Title II entity.
1D:
Customizing Customer Service –Marian Vessels, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
This session will give you the Disability-inclusive Customer service tools to use for in-house or
external training for customers. A twenty-minute open captioned video easily streamed from
ADAhospitality.org will be previewed that covers “counter intelligence” strategies for serving
customers with disabilities. YouTube videos allow you to imbed 2-4 minute vignettes of serving
disability-specific examples into your training. A PowerPoint will be shown, discussed and shared
for your use. Other tools developed, including a half-sheet Customer Service Quick Tip, designed
for those interacting with the public, will be highlighted. The Quick Tip has been reviewed by
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industry executives who provided additional feedback to maximize effectiveness and results.
These unique tools are applicable for both Title II and Title III entities.
1E:
History of the Disability Civil Rights Movement –John Wodatch, Former
Section Chief, Disability Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice
The 25th anniversary of the ADA is on July 26th of the year. The history of this landmark
legislation, however, began long before the signing ceremony on the White House lawn 25 years
ago. This session will provide an overview of the activities and organizations that started an
independent living movement that ultimately led to the passage of the ADA. John Wodatch brings
a first hand perspective and insights to the events and activities that are part of the disability
rights movement. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these key figures on the inclusion of
people with disabilities in American life.
1F:
Impact of the RA Section 503 New Rules –Wendy Strobel-Gower, Northeast
ADA Center
New rules for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment
Assistance Act (VEVRAA) were recently signed into law. These new rules will likely bring about
sweeping changes for people with disabilities and veterans in the workplace. Though most of the
resources around these new rules have been directed toward employers, disability employment
professionals and organizations are also impacted. During this session we will explore several
questions of interest to disability and employment professionals. What are these new
rules? How do they impact employers? What do they mean for employment service
providers? What do employment service providers need to do to prepare to leverage the many
new opportunities that will be afforded by the new rules? In addition to addressing these
questions, we will also engage audience members in an active discussion of what they might
need to do to leverage these new opportunities. Intermediate/Advanced
1G:
Recreation Facility Standards –Peggy Greenwell, U.S. Access Board
It’s time to focus on the FUN stuff… amusement rides, marinas, golf courses, sports facilities,
playgrounds, and swimming pools! Effective March 15, 2012, all newly constructed and altered
recreation facilities were required to meet the 2010 ADA Standards. We’ll provide the overview of
the standards that apply to these facilities, you bring any questions that you might have about
these new standards.
1H:
Disability Access in a Complex Health Care System –Carol Bradley, Sutter
Health and Yomi Wrong, Palo Alto Medical Foundation
This session will cover the nuts and bolts of a successful disability access program in a health
care organization comprised of clinics, hospitals, senior services and home health. Presenters will
share their experience developing a program implementing a Consent Decree for Sutter Health, a
large health care organization serving over 100 communities in Northern California. The session
will cover what this looks like in practice: how to design an effective ADA program; real-world
operational challenges and strategies to overcome those obstacles; complaint resolution as
opportunities for enhancing services; involving patients with disabilities in your program.
1I:
DOJ Update -Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice
Sally Conway brings her years of experience with the U.S. Department of Justice and excellent
training background to provide an update of Titles II and III ADA related activities of the U.S.
Department of Justice. This session will also examine the effect of these activities on future ADA
implementation. This is an excellent session for anyone who has responsibility for Title II or Title
III ADA compliance activities.
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Session 2-- 1:45-3:45
2A:
Means of Egress-Emergency Evacuation -Kim Paarlberg, International Code
Council
The way someone enters and moves into a building is not always the same way they move to
evacuate a building in an emergency. In addition to accessible entry, persons with disabilities
must be considered when designing plans and building systems used for emergency evacuation.
The accessible means of egress provisions from the International Building Code (IBC) are now
referenced in the federal design regulations and will be required for all new construction. This
program will introduce you to the concepts, details and application of exiting provisions, and
assist in understanding how the codes and federal regulations are now working to harmonize the
national response to designing a building not only for ingress, but for egress as well. Discussions
will include operational safety plans, fire drills, and notification/communication for occupants in a
building during the emergency and physical building requirements. Intermediate/Advanced
2B:
Return to Work and the ADA—Barry Taylor and Rachel Weisberg, Equip for
Equality
Many legal issues arise when people with disabilities seek to return to work after being on
leave. This session will address how the courts have interpreted a number of these issues
including: 1) the interplay between the ADA and the Family & Medical Leave Act; 2) reasonable
accommodations when returning from leave; and 3) medical exams and inquiries, including
fitness for duty examinations. Intermediate
2C*: Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans: Part 1 -Robin Jones, Great Lakes ADA
Center and James Terry, Evan Terry Associates
Are you one of those public entities that are slightly behind in doing a self-evaluation and
transition plan? Are you asking yourself, "What is a self-evaluation and transition plan?" Well
then, this is the session for you. All public entities subject to Title II of the ADA must complete a
self-evaluation. For public entities that have 50 or more employees, there is also a requirement to
have in place a transition plan that addresses structural changes that are necessary for achieving
program accessibility. Come to this two-part session if you are interested in learning more about
how to approach conducting a self-evaluation and how to integrate the information gathered into
a transition plan.
2D:
Providing Alternate Formats for Effective Communication–Andy Keyworth,
T-Base Communications
Communicating effectively and successfully with customers is an important part of doing
business; not only does it support positive interactions with customers; it is also fully required by
law. Under the ADA, enterprise and governments are obligated to provide a method of
communicating key information that is accessible (i.e. readable and usable) to their customers
who are blind, low vision and have print-related disabilities. In this session, attendees will gain a
general understanding about how to best serve customers who are blind, low vision and have
print-related disabilities, help you reflect on your commitment to accessibility, and understand the
specific alternate format products or ‘auxiliary aids’ your customers may require. The session is
divided into three sections: 1) Providing great customer service to blind and low vision customers,
2) Understanding alternate-formats and the importance of communicating with choice, and 3) A
guide to customer Interactions.
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2E:
Title II Scenarios: What Would You Do? -Ed Neuberg, ADA Coordinator, City
of Denver and Nancy Greene, Montgomery County Govt. Rockville, MD
This interactive session is designed to help Title II ADA coordinators understand how to make
balanced decisions involving reasonable modification of policies, technical infeasibility, program
access or unique situations. Intermediate
2F**: Reasonable Accommodation -Jana Burke, Mariposa, Inc.
The ADA requires that employers provide accommodations for applicants and employees with
disabilities in order to remove workplace barriers to provide equal employment opportunity. For
many employers understanding when and how they must comply can be, at times, complex. This
session will help employers develop effective policies, procedures, and best practices that can
assure full compliance as well as help to successfully respond to reasonable accommodation
requests and needs resulting in creating a productive work environment for all employees.
2G**: Public Rights of Way: Part 1—Melissa Anderson, U.S. Access Board
The Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines address accessibility of pedestrian facilities
such as sidewalks, shared use paths, and other elements located in the public right of way. This
session will include an update of the current status of the rulemaking process and a discussion of
the basic obligations of States and local agencies to make their facilities accessible. The general
guidelines for pedestrian access routes within sidewalks and shared use paths and for curb
ramps and street crossings will be reviewed. Additional in depth information for more advanced
situations will be included in the PROWAG Discussion Forum Session. Intermediate/Advanced
2H:
Corrections -Liz Stanosheck, Prison Fellowship
Correctional facilities have specific obligations under Title II of the ADA as well as the 2010 ADA
Accessibility Standards. Liz Stanosheck has extensive experience overseeing and implementing
ADA compliance obligations in correctional institutions as a retired ADA Coordinator for Nebraska
Correctional Institutions. In this session, she will share her expertise in ADA compliance and
meeting the unique challenges of the corrections system.
2I*
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: Part 1 -Dave Yanchulis, U.S.
Access Board
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design is the only standard allowed by the Department
of Justice for use in new construction and alterations. This 2-part session will provide an overview
of the 2010 ADA Standards, review scoping and technical requirements for new construction and
alterations, and discuss practical strategies to ensure ADA compliance for your building projects
Session 3-- 4:00-5:30
3A:
Elevators: Occupant Evacuation and the Fire Service -Beth Tubbs,
International Code Council
Occupant evacuation elevators (OEOs) have been in the IBC since the 2009 edition and have the
potential to reduce time for total evacuation of a building and provide a method of accessible
egress. These provisions are not currently mandatory but are provided as an alternative to
providing an additional stairway in buildings over 420 feet in building height. They were not
specifically intended for accessible egress but have the potential to be beneficial in this regard.
This presentation will explain how these types of elevators relate to the requirements for an
accessible egress elevators and how they differ. The requirements applicable to occupant
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evacuation elevators will be discussed in detail. In addition fire service access elevators (FSAEs)
are an important aspect that will be discussed in relationship to both accessible egress elevators
and OEOs. This presentation will provide a solid understanding of the tools available for
evacuation with regard to elevators and also an understanding of the increased features now
provided for fire fighters to assist in this process. Advanced
3B:
Employment Wellness Programs -Christine Rancourt Bruzzi, Assistant State
ADA Coordinator, Rhode Island
There has been and will continue to be a great deal of discussion and activity regarding corporate
wellness programs due to the ever rising cost of health insurance, the Affordable Care Act, loss
productivity, absenteeism, etc. Companies are realizing that wellness programs are beneficial to
their business and to their employees. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services’ Report to Congress on Workplace Wellness1 “approximately half of U.S. employers with
50 or more employees offer wellness promotion initiatives.” And, the number of companies
implementing in health and wellness programs and activities is growing. The fact that so many
companies are choosing, regardless of reason, to assist their employees, and in some cases,
their employees’ families meet their health and wellness goals is great and even commendable.
Most, but not all, companies are doing an outstanding job incorporating the various requirements
of the ADA, HIPAA, GINA, and other federal laws as they plan, design, and implement their
wellness programs. The intent of this session is to address the ADA requirements and the
EEOC’s position on corporate wellness programs and highlight a few notable court cases where
corporate wellness programs were challenged for alleged ADA violations. Intermediate
3C*: Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans: Part 2—Robin Jones, Great Lakes ADA
Center and James Terry, Evan Terry Associates
This session is a continuation of the content in Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans: Part 1
3D:
Service Animals -Len Sandler, University of Iowa
Service animals are defined and viewed differently under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA). This session will
focus specifically on the rights of individuals with disabilities with service animals under the ADA
and the responsibilities of entities covered by the ADA. This session will cover who can have a
service animal, what service animals are allowed, what documentation can be required or
requested and when a service animal can be refused. This is a basic session targeted toward
entities that provide customer service to the general public.
3E:
Top 25 Court Cases in the Last 25 Years -Barry Taylor, Equip for Equality
Since the ADA was passed in 1990, a number of significant cases have been decided by the
courts that have shaped how the ADA has been interpreted and implemented. To commemorate
the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, we will take a look back at the most influential ADA cases by first
reviewing the facts and ruling of these cases, and then discussing the broader impact these
cases have had. This webinar promises to cover a wide variety of ADA issues under Titles I, II
and III. Intermediate
3F:
Access Surveys -John Rife Torkelson, ACCESSpartnership
This presentation will focus on the tools that are necessary to both plan and complete an
accessibility survey of a building, facility, or environment. Planning approaches and other
logistical aspects of completing accessibility reviews will be addressed, particularly in how they
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relate to implementation plans. Many factors play into the implementation prioritization process
including element type, cost, remodeling, feasibility, etc. when creating the final survey report. All
areas will be explored and discussed by this experienced professional.
3G**: Public Rights of Way: Part 2—Melissa Anderson, U.S. Access Board
The Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines address accessibility of pedestrian facilities
such as sidewalks, shared use paths, and other elements located in the public right of way. This
session will include an update of the current status of the rulemaking process and a short
discussion of the basic obligations of States and local agencies to make their facilities accessible.
The general guidelines for accessible pedestrian signals, roundabouts, parking and transit
stops will be reviewed. Additional in depth information for more advanced situations will be
included in the PROWAG Discussion Forum Session. Intermediate/Advanced
3H:
High Stakes Testing –Rachel Weisberg, Equip for Equality
Certain tests such as the ACT, SAT, and LSAT, etc. can be used to allow or deny entry into postsecondary institutions, professional schools and career fields. Over the years, court cases have
ruled that these “high stakes tests” must be accessible to people with disabilities. This session
will cover the types of tests that are considered “high stakes”, the types of modifications and
auxiliary aids that providers are expected to provide, and how people with disabilities can
advocate to make sure they are not excluded from taking these tests by access barriers.
3I*:
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: Part 2 -Dave Yanchulis, U.S.
Access Board
This session is a continuation of the content presented in 2010 ADA Standards: Part 1.
Tuesday, May 12
Session 4—8:30-10:30
4A:
DOJ Perspective on Design -James Bostrom, U.S. Department of Justice
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design was authored by both the Access Board and the
Justice Department. The two agency viewpoints have significant differences and parallels to be
explored. James Bostrom, U.S. Department of Justice, will be presenting these design standards
from the viewpoint of the DOJ. This is a must-attend, hands-on training for designers, ADA
Coordinators, code officials and others involved in applying or interpreting the 2010 Standards.
Attendees will not only see the regulations from a new vantage point, but they will better
understand how to use the book itself and the agencies accompanying website. Further, this
program examines other applicable ADA regulations that – while not intended for design
specifically – are applicable and can strengthen and impact accessible design interpretation and
enforcement. Intermediate
4B:
Mindfulness Stress Reduction: Employment & Reasonable
Accommodations—Rich Sternadori, Great Plains ADA Center
Stress, depression, anxiety, grief and other debilitating states of mind have direct correlations to
mental and physical disabilities. These conditions inform personal and employment issues,
including medical costs, insurance models, addictions and substance abuse, divorce and suicide
statistics, crime, domestic and workplace violence, work absenteeism, productivity, and more.
This session is designed to bring Mindfulness Stress Reduction into the lexicon for ADA
Coordinators, Human Resources professionals, advocates and people with disabilities and others
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affected by stress in their personal or professional lives. Stressors can originate from internal - as
well as - external sources. The goal of Mindfulness is to focus the mind, training our attention to
our own constant, often unconscious thinking processes. Mindfulness increases the awareness
and recognition of often unconscious and detrimental inner-dialogues based on regrets, fears,
anxieties, self-perceptions, etc. Mindfulness provides tools toward quieting and training the mind
to stay in the present moment. This program is designed in a “Teach the Teacher” format, and
includes basic Mindfulness background, neuropsychology, and correlations between stress and
disabilities. The session will also examine applying Mindfulness as a tool toward reasonable
accommodations, looking at current and potential workplace applications of stress reduction
programs. The final stage of the session is experiential; performing the basic exercises and
teaching the fundamentals to begin using the program for themselves or others.
4C*: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: Part 1 (Repeat)-Dave Yanchulis,
U.S. Access Board
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design is the only standard allowed by the Department
of Justice for use in new construction and alterations. This 2-part session will provide an overview
of the 2010 Standards, review scoping and technical requirements for new construction and
alterations, and discuss practical strategies to ensure ADA compliance for your building projects
4D:
A TOOL for Starting a Conversation with Business –Karen Hamilton, North
Carolina, Council on Developmental Disabilities and Jaclyn (Jaci) Harris, Power of the
Dream Self Advocacy Group
Tools are available to assess architectural accessibility, but what about tools and strategies for
assessing service or program accessibility? In this session, you will learn how teams of
customers with disabilities are using the “Americans with Disabilities Act - Starting the
Conversation with a Business” tool to improve accessibility to services, programs and activities in
their communities. Using a secret shopper approach, teams of customers representing crossdisabilities can offer a business or public entity: feedback on specific barriers to services or
programs for people with disabilities; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) information
addressing those barriers; and follow-up to track changes and improvements.
4E:
“Qualified” Under the ADA -Barry Taylor and Rachel Weisberg, Equip for
Equality
Now that the ADA Amendments Act has made it easier to be covered under the law – the new
legal battleground is for employees with disabilities to prove they are qualified. This session will
review the ADA and its regulations, EEOC guidance, and recent case law decision that focus on
how certain accommodation requests relate to employees' abilities to perform essential job
functions.
4F:
WCAG 2.0 Guidelines –Jonathan Whiting,WebAim
Although the Dept. of Justice continually affirms their expectation for accessible websites, there is
currently no web accessibility standard included in ADA. This will hopefully change soon, but in
the meantime you should look to the standard used by the DOJ—The Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. This session will clarify why WCAG 2.0 is important for Title II and III
entities, provide an overview of the principles that form its foundation, and show how to apply
these guidelines in the real world.
4G:
When DOJ Comes Knocking -Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice and
John Wodatch, Former Section Chief, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice
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Project Civic Access is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice that involves ADA
compliance reviews of selected cities. To date, over 200 cities and counties have been reviewed
through Project Civic Access. What happens when the Department of Justice chooses your
community for a Project Civic Access review? This session will provide an overview of Project
Civic Access and guidance as to how communities should prepare for these reviews.
4H:
ADA Coordination for Higher Education –Andrea Haenlin-Mott, Cornell
University
Twenty-four years of the ADA era in higher education has yielded greater accessibility for
students, staff, faculty and visitors with disabilities on college campuses across the country. ADA
Compliance is a continuum of barrier removal, new construction and alteration review and
construction, academic accommodations, reasonable accommodations for employees and policy
practice review just to name a few issues that are part of the considerations of accessibility in
higher education. This session will talk about overall structure of ADA compliance and
accessibility implementation at the post-secondary level. Facilitated discussion and problem
solving will balance with presentation of concepts of access and best practices.
4I*:
Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans: Part 1 -Robin Jones, Great Lakes ADA
Center and James Terry, Evan Terry Associates
Are you one of those public entities that are slightly behind in doing a self-evaluation and
transition plan? Are you asking yourself, "What is a self-evaluation and transition plan?" Well
then, this is the session for you. All public entities subject to Title II of the ADA must complete a
self-evaluation. For public entities that have 50 or more employees, there is also a requirement to
have in place a transition plan that addresses structural changes that are necessary for achieving
program accessibility. Come to this two-part session if you are interested in learning more about
how to approach conducting a self-evaluation and how to integrate the information gathered into
a transition plan.
Session 5—10:50-12:20
5A:
Accessible & Visitable Housing—Kim Paarlbarg, International Code Council
This course explores the expansion and refinement of accessible housing requirements in the
building codes. The International Building Code (IBC) provides information on accessibility in all
situations where people may reside- institutional and residential facilities; permanent and
transient; multi-family and single-family detached. Coordination in IBC with multiple federal
requirements addresses many levels of needs. Both scoping and technical provisions will be
covered. The idea of ‘visitability’ for townhouses and single-family homes and their new
provisions in ICC A117.1-2009 will be addressed. IBC is certified by HUD as a ‘safe harbor’
document for compliance with the Fair Housing Act. Discussions will include IBC coordination
with FHA and the 2010 ADA Standard for Accessible Design requirements.
Intermediate/Advanced
5B:
Googling Applicants—Joe Bontke, EEOC Houston Regional Office
Employers are increasingly using the Internet to gather information about job applicants from
social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Often some of this information would be
off limits in the interviewing process, which could present legal problems for employer. This
session will highlight the risks incurred as well as advice for employers when Googling
information about potential employees. The session will cover what’s legally permissible in the
search process, what are the benefits versus pitfalls, motivations for searching and methods for
analyzing information obtained from the Internet.
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5C*: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: Part 2 (Repeat)—Dave
Yanchulis, U.S. Access Board
This session is a continuation of the content in 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: Part
1.
5D:
Title III ADA Coordinator Issues –Adrien Van Note, Capital One
Every day is interesting for an ADA coordinator but some days cases come in that are real head
scratchers. This session is designed to discuss real life scenarios of very unique ADA cases at
the advanced level and options considered. Modifications of policies and procedures are not
easy when there is competing regulation that has to be considered (Fair Lending, Privacy, Reg Z,
etc.). Financial institution scenarios will be gathered from key ADA contacts. This session is
intended to be an open forum for other participants to also share unique and complex cases.
Intermediate
5E:
Accessible Community Living Surveys/PARC—Lewis Kraus, Pacific ADA
Center
Planning of local services and resources for people with disabilities has been hampered for many
years by a lack of accurate disability data at the local level. Now, the Bureau of the Census has
data on disability accurate to most local communities through its American Community Survey
(ACS). This session will train participants on how to access the ACS data, including different
types of disabilities, employment, earnings, and age breakdowns among other categories. In
addition, mapping tools will be shown to portray the local disability data.
5F:
eQuality: The Struggle for Web Accessibility by Persons with Cognitive
Disabilities --Peter Blanck, Burton & Blatt Institute
In recent years, great progress has been made in the area of accessible workplace technology —
much of which has focused on ensuring that websites and online tools are accessible to people
with physical or sensory disabilities. But what about users with cognitive disabilities? Using the
web can often be complicated for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
traumatic brain injuries, or other conditions. However, there are a number of exemplary
accessibility practices to ensure that web-based technologies meet the needs of all users,
including those with cognitive disabilities. This session will address specific accessible technology
needs of employees with cognitive disabilities, common issues that employees with cognitive
disabilities encounter online and how that affects workplace productivity, how employers can
adopt workplace processes and procure technology tools to ensure usability for employees with
cognitive disabilities, features and product specifications technology providers can design to
improve user experience for individuals with cognitive disabilities, and current efforts to gather
information on technologies and techniques used to support individuals with cognitive disabilities
and to create supporting standards.
5G:
ADAPT: The Fight for Accessible Transportation - Bob Kafka and Stephanie
Thomas, ADAPT
Lack of access to transportation has always been an issue for people with disabilities,
dramatically reducing opportunities for employment, recreation, education, and inclusion in
society. In the 1970s and 1980s, transportation became a flashpoint for the disability community
to gather, discuss, and organize, city by city, area by area, as well as nationally. The fight for lifts
on buses was gaining in the disability community. ADAPT, the grassroots activist group, was
formed in 1983 to obtain a national policy on accessible transit. Thanks to its efforts and those of
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others who joined them, lifts on all new buses became mandated 30 days after the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed. This session will discuss ADAPT’s advocacy efforts to
obtain accessible public transportation throughout this country. You will learn of ADAPT’s history,
explore advocacy strategies, and discuss issues that still linger today, such as accessible air and
rail services.
5H:
Transition from K-12 to Post-Secondary Education -Julie Brinkhoff, Great
Plains ADA Center
This session will examine issues that are involved in transition from K-12 education to postsecondary education including moving from the educational services provided under IDEA to antidiscrimination protections provided by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. The
session will examine issues from the perspective of educators, parents and students. The session
will also discuss the importance of understanding ADA rights and responsibilities and selfadvocacy before entering the world of work.
5I*:
Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans: Part 2 -Robin Jones, Great Lakes ADA
Center and James Terry, Evan Terry Associates
This session is a continuation of the content presented in Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans: Part
1.
Session 6—2:00-3:30
6A:
Putting Accessibility into Practice in the Right of Way -Shannon Mulhall,
ADA Coordinator, City of Fresno, CA
Right of Way (ROW) infrastructure is often one of the largest assets within a City. With this in
mind, addressing accessibility in the ROW can seem like a daunting task! This training will
discuss tolls and practices for putting into practice ADA and PROWAG regulations within your
Public Works Department. Key concepts presented include: 1) Creating a culture of accessibility
awareness within Public Works departments from the director to labor. 2) Developing and
monitoring ROW transition plans. 3) Integrating accessibility into city standards and implementing
it for all new construction. 4) Maintaining access during construction. 5) Involving community input
in project planning and 6) appropriately utilizing design deviations for technical infeasibility in the
ROW.
6B:
Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace -Jana Burke, Mariposa, Inc.
Cognitive and psychiatric disabilities may affect a person's awareness, memory and ability to
learn, process information, interact with others, communicate and make decisions. They can
often be "hidden disabilities" that do not receive the public awareness of visible disabilities. What
are the rights of people with cognitive and psychiatric disabilities under the ADA? What types
accommodations and auxiliary aides do individuals with these disabilities often need? How does
the expanded definition of disability under the ADA Amendments Act effect who is considered to
be "qualified" individual with a cognitive and/or psychiatric disability under the ADA?
6C:
Strategies for ADA Policy Writing –Candice Alder, Colorado Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
“Where can I find a boiler-plate ADA policy on_____?” This question is commonly asked of our
ADA Center staff and consultants. When it comes to policy writing, each entity/company needs to
be strategic about what is covered and how the ADA affects their day-to-day operations. For this
reason, providing a boilerplate policy or a sample policy from another entity may not be sufficient.
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This session explains several common ADA policies and how to best evaluate your programs to
create and implement policies that will ensure ADA compliance and accessibility for people with
disabilities.
6D:
Analysis of Complex/Unusual Title III Cases- Len Sandler, University of Iowa
Title III entities are required to provide people with disabilities equal access to goods and services
and, in the majority of situations, the regulations and guidelines clarify these obligations.
However, there are sometimes unusual or complex situations when a business’s obligations
under the ADA may be unclear. This session will focus on cases that resolved these types of
issues, analyzing the court’s reasoning and implication to Title III entities.
6E:
Aspects of Accessibility & Disability in the Military –Kelly Narowski,
Contractor /Advocate/Military Spouse
This presentation will explore the personal perspective of an Army spouse with a disability. She will share
her battles and successes in advocacy as well as her observations of where the Department of Defense gets
it right and where work needs to be done. In this session, you will be provided with an overview of which
laws apply to the military and may be surprised to learn they are exempt from the ADA. Some topics that will
be explored are accessibility on U.S. bases, family housing, the Exceptional Family Member Program and
the reaclimatization of combat wounded soldiers. While almost all the presenter’s experience is with the
Army, disability-related policies and practices in the other branches will be discussed.
6F:
Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) -Christopher Lee and John Rempel,
AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Access Center
Through grass roots advocacy and the support of the disability community, on July 1, 2006, the
Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) opened its doors at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Now at the Georgia Institute of Technology under the Enterprise Innovation Institute, it has
become the research and service center of Georgia Tech's College of Architecture to serve
students with print-related disabilities. This session will discuss providing alternative format
accommodations for students in a University System that include: accessible document
conversion to electronic, audio or braille formats, specialized assistive technology software,
captioning and remote transcription, office management software development and deployment,
and promoting publisher accessibility through national initiatives.
6G:
Outdoor Recreation -Bill Botten, U.S. Access Board
New standards covering access to trails, picnic and camping facilities, viewing areas, and beach
access routes on sites managed by the federal government became effective on November 25,
2013. These new standards apply to these elements and spaces as developed or altered by
federal land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service,
the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and
the Army Corps of Engineers. This session will review these new standards and recently
developed technical assistance material.
6H:
College for Students with Intellectual Disabilities?...Absolutely! -Barry
Whaley, University of Kentucky Human Development Institute and Melinda Mast,
Consultant/Kentucky ADA Center
This presentation will provide an overview of Supported Higher Education service models that
provide academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in academic
courses as well as provide socialization opportunities, independent living skill development, and
integrated work experiences that lead to meaningful employment. Particular emphasis of this
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presentation will center on the development of Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs).
CTPs are typically two-year programs where students are enrolled in typical college courses
available to all students on the campus. Academic programs are individually designed to the
interests of the students and include a work exploration component. Students graduate from the
program with a meaningful credential awarded by the college. This presentation will also discuss
cooperative agreements between State Vocational Rehabilitation programs and Institutions of
Higher Education to provide meaningful employment experiences as part of the student’s course
of study that lead to better employment outcomes at the end of the college program. Additionally
we will postulate how the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act will benefit Supported Higher
Education. We will also discuss the role of Disability Services professionals on college campuses
and their responsibilities to students with intellectual disability. Finally, this presentation will
discuss the rights and responsibilities students in Supported Higher Education have under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
6I:
What’s Hot, What’s Not: Accessibility Trends in Museums and Performing
Arts Venues –Betty Siegel, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Trends in accessibility to cultural venues have gone way beyond the basics of providing sign
language and captioning, audio description and touch tours. We are now looking at new ways to
make effective communication happen on a patrons phone or iPad, offering sensory friendly or
relaxed rules performances and events, to even welcoming robots and the latest telepresence
devices. This session will engage the audience in discussing trends in accessibility that museums
and theaters are exploring.
Session 7—3:50-5:20
7A:
Case Study-Selected Provisions of 2010 ADA Standards and the 2009
International Building Code -Rich Sternadori, Great Plains ADA Center
This session is a case study of a commercial building project as a means of applying select,
fundamental accessibility design concepts. This program applies the 2010 DOJ Standards for
Accessible Design (SAD) to alterations and new additions of two multi-story, large existing
buildings that were originally separated by open space, but eventually connected. Prominent
harmonization and differences between the SAD and the IBC are discussed. One of the existing
buildings is a three-story structure that was altered from wall to wall and from floor to roof. The
second existing structure is a two-story building that had entrances and stairs added, but no other
interior alterations. This study looks at successes, errors and omissions of several fundamental
accessibility principles as a result of joining the structures, and the new additions and alterations.
This program is only recommended for persons with an in-depth understanding and background
in applying the 2010 SAD or the International Building Code (IBC) from 2009 forward to current
editions. Advanced
7B:
Advanced Employment Discussion Forum -Wendy Strobel-Gower, Northeast
ADA Center
This interactive forum is designed for session members to discuss, problem solve and explore
more complex issues in relationship to employment and the ADA. The session is recommended
for those who have advanced knowledge of and experience in employment issues.
Intermediate/Advanced
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7C:
Advanced ADA Coordinator Discussion Forum - Liz Stanosheck, Prison
Fellowship, Vicky Simpson, Office of Illinois Attorney General and Andrea Haenlin-Mott,
Cornell University
This interactive forum is designed for session members to discuss, problem solve and explore
complex issues related to the role of ADA Coordinators. The session is recommended for those
who have advanced knowledge of and experience in ADA Coordinator issues.
Intermediate/Advanced
7D:
Title III Advanced Discussion Forum – Kathy Lovell, Regions Bank and Adrien
Van Note, Capital One
This interactive forum is designed for session members to discuss, problem solve and explore
complex issues related to Title III implementation and compliance issues. The session is highly
recommended for attendees from the business community. Intermediate/Advanced
7E:
Preserving Our Disability Rights History: ADA & Olmstead: -Talley Wells,
Disability Integration Project, Atlanta Legal Aid Society and Alice Wong, Disability
Visibility Project
The 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a critical opportunity to
spread the word to people with disabilities, advocates, and the larger community of the rights
people with disabilities have to live fully integrated lives in the community. It also offers the
chance to show communities across the United States how they can be can be enriched by being
inclusive, inviting and accommodating. Nothing does this better than sharing stories of people
whose lives have been impacted by the ADA and Olmstead, which was a landmark ADA decision
by the U.S. Supreme Court. In this session, we will share stories through video, audio recordings,
and live presentations of three individuals from the Atlanta community impacted by the ADA. We
will discuss the importance of story banking for sharing with media when events arise, how to
recruit stories, tips for helping individuals tell their stories, and discuss how to share stories using
StoryCorps, our websites, the ADA Legacy Project, YouTube, and social media. Finally, we will
present tips for sharing stories in ways that ensure accessibility. This presentation will be
particularly timely given the developing plans for the ADA Symposium to connect with the ADA
Legacy Project and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights during the Symposium.
7F:
Accessible PDF’s -Jared Smith, WebAim
Portable Documents Formats or PDFs are used frequently because they allow users to view
documents without having a particular software application. Business, education and government
sectors rely heavily on pdf’s to make information available to their consumers. However, pdf’s
are often inaccessible to anyone using a screen reader, text to speech or other adaptive software.
This session will show techniques for making PDFs accessible and strategies that can save and
time and money when preparing documents for the web or mobile devices.
7G:
Guidelines to Disability, Inclusion in Physical Activity, Nutrition and
Obesity Programs and Policies: Amy Rauworth, National Center on Health, Physical
Activity and Disability and Lewis Kraus, Pacific ADA Center
Lack of physical activity, lack of proper nutrition, and rising obesity levels are serious public health
concerns for all Americans. But they are even more so for Americans with disabilities who are at
a much greater risk for developing serious health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle
such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. However, physical activity and good nutrition
can provide individuals with disability the strength and stamina required to participate in all
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aspects of life actively and successfully. This presents an opportunity for professionals and
programs to target people with disabilities in their long-range health promotion plans. This
session will cover the recent Guidelines to Disability Inclusion in Physical Activity, Nutrition, and
Obesity Programs and Policies and the Commit to Inclusion campaign that promotes the
Guidelines (www.committoinclusion.org). The Guidelines were created with an expert panel
using criteria to qualify each guideline. Come and learn about how to include people with
disabilities in physical activity, nutrition, and obesity programs and policies that are available in
the community.
7H:
Communications Access with Hearing Loop Technology –Don Bataille,
Hearing Loops Unlimited and Juliette Sterkins, HLAA Hearing Loop Advocate
This session will explain hearing loss, the needs of people with hearing loss and why hearing
assistive technology is needed even if a person uses hearing aids or cochlear implants, the 2010
ADA-Communication Elements and Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) requirements, the
international IEC 60118-4 Induction Hearing Loop Standard and how it relates to the telecoils in
hearing aids. The advantages and disadvantages of the different hearing loop designs and
installation techniques will be discussed as well as best practices in hearing loop procurement.
7I:
Other Power Driven Mobility Devices –Sally Conway, U.S. Department of
Justice
People with mobility, circulatory, respiratory, or neurological disabilities use many kinds of
devices for mobility. Some use walkers, canes, crutches, or braces. Some use manual or power
wheelchairs or electric scooters. In addition, advances in technology have given rise to new
devices, such as Segways®, that some people with disabilities use as mobility devices, including
many veterans injured while serving in the military. Most people are familiar with the manual and
power wheelchairs and electric scooters used by people with mobility disabilities. In recent years,
some people with mobility disabilities have begun using less traditional mobility devices such as
golf cars or Segways® and more advanced devices will inevitably be invented, providing more
mobility options for people with disabilities. These devices are called "other power-driven mobility
device" (OPDMD). When an OPDMD is being used by a person with a mobility disability, different
rules apply under the ADA than when it is being used by a person without a disability. This
session is designed to help title II entities and title III entities understand the new rules for mobility
devices to assist in making policies that best serve and accommodate individuals using
OPDMDs.
Wednesday, May 13
Session 8—8:30-10:30
8A:
Public Rights of Way Discussion Forum -Melissa Anderson, U.S. Access
Board
This session will be an interactive discussion of Frequently Asked Questions received by the
Access Board regarding accessibility in the public right of way. It is an opportunity for attendees
with advanced knowledge and experience to discuss common issues and work with others facing
similar problems to come up with possible solutions. Topics may include pedestrian access route
elements, shared use paths, intersections and roundabouts, signals, parking and transit
stops. Advanced
8B**: Reasonable Accommodation (Repeat of 2F) -Jana Burke, Mariposa, Inc.
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The ADA requires that employers provide accommodations for applicants and employees with
disabilities in order to remove workplace barriers to provide equal employment opportunity. For
many employers understanding when and how they must comply can be, at times, complex. This
session will help employers develop effective policies, procedures, and best practices that can
assure full compliance as well as help to successfully respond to reasonable accommodation
requests and needs resulting in creating a productive work environment for all employees.
8C**: Incorporating Disability into Emergency Management -Lewis Kraus, Pacific
ADA Center
Emergency management has seen a series of efforts to include the needs of those with
disabilities, from DOJ guidance about shelters to FEMA guidance about inclusion of people with
access and functional needs. These efforts have been underscored by lawsuits in Oakland, Los
Angeles, and New York, as well as experiences of those in major disasters such as Hurricane
Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, and the Waldo fires in Colorado. This session will review issues that
are important to inclusive emergency management. We will also have time for audience
participation and description of efforts.
8D:
Effective Communication in Emergency Situations –Candice Alder, Colorado
Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
During an emergency (medical, police, interrogation etc.) communication is vital to responding in
a timely manner. In urban areas, an interpreter can be summoned within 1-4 hours if the proper
policies and procedures are put into place. However, some areas have limited or no access to
sign language interpreters which means that emergency medical personnel may be missing out
on vital information from a Deaf individual. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is a valuable
resource that is available to help entities meet their ADA effective communication obligations and
is being vastly underutilized. With the proper equipment and contract with a VRI provider,
entities can have around-the-clock access to on-call qualified sign language interpreters. This
session explains how VRI works, what kinds of providers are available, what equipment may be
needed, maintenance requirements, common questions and concerns, scenarios in which VRI
may not be appropriate, and implementation of VRI policies. This session is geared toward
emergency personnel but is appropriate for any entity that has responsibilities under the ADA to
provide effective communication.
8E:
Health Care Access to Services & Medical Diagnostic Equipment -Michael
Richardson, Northwest ADA Center and Rex Pace, U.S. Access Board
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require that
health care providers provide individuals with disabilities full and equal access to their health care
services and facilities. The “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (ACA) added an
amendment to Section 510 of the Rehabilitation Act, which authorized the U.S. Access Board to
develop accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) in consultation with the
Food and Drug Administration. While the proposed standards are not yet enforceable as federal
regulations, they provide “best practice” guidance for specifying and acquiring accessible MDE.
Michael Richardson, of the Northwest ADA Center, will address common access issues, focusing
on Effective Communication for people with sensory, cognitive and speech disabilities. Recent
court cases and the role of the Barrier-Free Healthcare Initiative will be reviewed, as well. Rex
Pace, of the U.S. Access Board will address accessibility to medical equipment with a focus on
the types of diagnostic equipment types commonly found in doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics and
hospitals such as exam tables, weight scales, and imaging equipment such as those for x-ray,
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MRI and mammography. Mr. Pace will also discuss guidance on the design of exam rooms and
medical equipment access for individuals with mobility disabilities. Intermediate/Advanced
8F:
Universal Design in Housing: Achieving Integration Beautifully!-Colleen
Starkloff, Starkloff Disability Institute
The Disability Rights Movement in the U.S. has been working hard for full integration of people
with disabilities since its inception in the early 60’s. Many unique laws and practices have
evolved to enable achievement of this lofty, and most worthwhile goal. This breakout will cover
the difference between accessibility and Universal Design, and the Fair Housing Act and
Universal Design. It will present what Universal features are and some ways to include them in
affordable housing, public rights of way, commercial buildings and public accommodations, such
as parks and recreational areas. Best practices will be shown from around the world. You will
learn that you can utilize universal design and meet or exceed accessibility requirements.
Who should attend: ADA coordinators; businesses who are focused on hiring people with
disabilities; architects and designers; public rights of way officials; IL and housing advocates.
8G:
State & Federal Enforcement under the ADA-Vickie Simpson, Office of Illinois
Attorney General, Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice and Mike Galifianakis,
Georgia Statewide ADA Coordinator
This session will discuss enforcement of the ADA from a local, state and federal
perspective. Learn how different units of government can have an impact in assisting individuals
with disabilities with their complaints. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions, as this
will session will be highly interactive and structured around audience questions.
8H:
Project Civic Access: The City Experience–Meg Conger, ADA Coordinator,
Kansas City, MO and Ed Neuberg, ADA Coordinator, City of Denver
Project Civic Access is a program of the U.S. Department Justice in which the Justice
Department reviews selected cities and counties for ADA compliance. This session will be
presented by two ADA Coordinators whose cities were part of a Project Civic Access review. The
session will share the experience of working with the Department of Justice to implement the
resulting settlement agreement including practical considerations, strategies that worked,
challenges and solutions from a “hands-on” perspective. This session is highly recommended for
ADA Coordinators and city officials.
8I:
Access Surveys -John Rife Torkelson, ACCESSpartnership
This presentation will focus on the tools that are necessary to both plan and complete an
accessibility survey of a building, facility, or environment. Planning approaches and other
logistical aspects of completing accessibility reviews will be addressed, particularly in how they
relate to implementation plans. Many factors play into the implementation prioritization process
including element type, cost, remodeling, feasibility, etc. when creating the final survey report. All
areas will be explored and discussed by this experienced professional.
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*Meets a foundation requirement for ACTCP members.
**Meets an optional foundation requirement for ACTCP members.
All other sessions may be applied as elective credits toward certification by ACTCP
members.
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