After 20 years of architectural practice, Architect Chris Downey unexpectedly lost all sight in 2008 to find himself quickly back at work now living his life inside the guy with a cane featured in the diagram of protruding objects in the ADA Design Standards, Chapter 3, section 204 - the only blind guy he had ever spent any meaningful time with prior to losing his sight. In this workshop, Chris will share his perspective as seen from the other side of the diagram where the view isn’t as clear but the lessons are more profound. This workshop will feature more of the “whys” behind the regulations as opposed to the regulations themselves as well as opportunities that go beyond the code. He will share relevant personal experiences and professional responses while inviting participants to develop and discuss solutions of their own. This 3-hour workshop will feature a presentation by the speaker followed by small group breakout sessions as well as Q &A discussions. Participants will leave with a more intrinsic understanding of the regulations and a better view of the benefits and significance that had been overlooked within their blind spots. Learning Objectives: 1) Learn about the broad spectrum of visual impairments and implications on architectural design; 2) Learn about current ADA accessibility requirements for the blind and visually impaired; 3) Learn how the needs of the blind and visually impaired can be better integrated into design; 4) Learn about Universal Design strategies including acoustic and multi-sensory design.

This session will provide a basic overview of ADA requirements. It is designed for those new to the ADA with little knowledge of ADA requirements. The session will provide an overview of the three main Titles of the ADA, which cover the employment provisions of the ADA (Title I), the provisions for state and local governments (Title II) and the provisions for places of public accommodation (Title III). The focus of the session will primarily be the Title II and III requirements under the ADA. The employment section of the session will focus on the definition of a disability, and an overview of employees/applicants rights and employer responsibilities under the ADA and ADA Amendments Act.

Not sure how screen reading software works or sounds? Have no idea what accessible features are built into browsers? Then this session is designed for you. We will cover the different ways people with disabilities access web pages, specific needs for different types of disabilities, and the supporting software/adaptive technologies available. This session have numerous examples and plenty of time for Q & A. Note: this will be a basic session for attendees with little knowledge of web accessibility issues.

Stress has significant, measurable and toxic effects on health, happiness, and overall well being. 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, and their associated disabilities. The fields of education, medicine, business, psychology, professional sports, law enforcement and many others all utilize mindfulness practice. Ford, Google, Monsanto, the Los Angeles Police Department, national insurance corporations, emergency response teams and more than 240 hospitals nationwide all use some form of Mindfulness practice today. This course offers an introduction and foundational principles structured on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This program allows participants an opportunity to learn about stress reduction from historic, qualitative, quantitative and experiential viewpoints. 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. Participants will actually practice and experience the hidden gem of mindfulness during this class.

Plan to discuss the ADA’s regulatory minimums for Paratransit eligibility, trip scheduling processes, sanctions for no-shows, and reasonable modification of policies. We will look at the history of advocacy for access to public transit, the limitations of Paratransit as separate but equal service, and the evolution of an entitlement sensibility that has defeated the FTA’s best intentions. How has this entitlement sensibility conflicted with the attitudes (implicit bias) of transit bureaucracy? What are the options going forward, to improve transportation accessibility for people with disabilities? Are there alternatives to the current eligibility and service model that will provide better access and a sustainable model for delivery of required services? What can new technologies and system designs do to improve access and control costs? How can we make fixed route transit the best, most accessible, and integrated option for people with disabilities?

There are over 2 billion active social media users in the world. Everything in the world is now in the workplace and everything in the workplace is now in the world. For the HR/EEO Professional issues of free speech and religious beliefs can arise that result in workplace conflict and complaints of discrimination. This session explores those challenges and the legal guidance that affects those issues.

This is an informational session that describes and explains what our ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP) is and how it works.

This session dives deep into the life of an ADA Coordinator. What does it take to be a successful ADA Coordinator? No matter what your title (Coordinator, Manager, Director of Compliance) the role comes with special challenges that the instructors have faced and have conquered. This highly interactive session will feature strategies for success, the nuts and bolts of being an ADA Coordinator, a variety of scenarios, the role of advisory boards and how to work with and engage them, how to involve decision makers, how to deal with funding challenges, reasonable accommodation requests, the best way to interact with constituents and meet their needs, the value of ADA liaisons in your organization, and much more. There will be much audience involvement and conversation in this very informative and lively session.

This in-depth session will expand on some of the key topics of the ADA’s Interactive Process and where ADA, Workers Compensation and Family Medical Leave Act collide into the “Bermuda Triangle” of confusion. EEOC’s Joe Bontke will offer a life boat of clear sailing through the processes to assist in answering “What is Reasonable”.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in partnership with the United States Attorneys’ Offices across the nation have instituted the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, which targets their enforcement efforts on access to health care providers for individuals (patients and companions) with disabilities. The Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative is a multi-phase initiative that includes effective communication for people who are deaf or having hearing loss, physical access to medical care for people with mobility disabilities, and equal access to treatment for people who have HIV/AIDS. This program will focus on the ADA legal principles applicable in health care settings, recent DOJ enforcement efforts, including an exploration of actual cases against health care providers including hospitals, physicians, and skilled nursing facilities.

Compliance is necessary, but not always sufficient to create meaningful inclusion and proactive change. In this session, the presenters will share lessons learned while advancing accessibility and inclusion on college campuses. This session will provide ideas for motivating culture change on your campus, including creating strategic partnerships, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff with disabilities have a real voice in important discussions, intersectionality, and methods for incorporating disability into existing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The 2010 Standards for Accessible Design is the standard allowed by the Department of Justice for use in new construction and alterations of facilities covered by Title II and Title III of the ADA. This 2-part session will provide an overview of changes from the previous enforceable standards, scoping and technical requirements for new construction and alterations, practical strategies to ensure ADA compliance for your building projects, and provide new tools and resources to evaluate accessibility.

Understanding how to get persons into facilities has long been one of the goals of the ADA and Building Codes. The same cannot be said of accessible egress and evacuation. The Codes and Federal Regulations are still developing to improve protocols for egress and evacuation of structures, facilities, buildings, etc. With or without construction, evacuation considerations from the Federal Regulations are required to meet the International Building Code. This interactive session covers the imperative to include persons with disabilities, Human Resources professionals, ADA Coordinators, Facility Managers and Emergency Preparedness agencies in planning egress. This session reviews examples that include: Fire safety plans, drills, fire evacuation plans, shelter-in-place, signage, communication, Accessible Means of Egress and other critical principles and actions.

Assistive Technology accommodations seem to always be complicated because they require the knowledge of Programs, Information Technology and current technology trends. Often these accommodations are outsourced to IT staff and can go wrong quickly as more parties get involved. In this session, you will learn about conducting a successful intake and a step-by-step guide to implementing Assistive technology accommodations; as well as avoiding common barriers. In this session you will learn about common Assistive Technology examples, through real stories and examples.

Transportation requirements for accessibility are unique and detailed. These requirements depart from the ADA and address accessibility for specific areas/services of transportation. This session will explore those basic requirements as they relate to fixed route bus, paratransit, light rail and commuter rail. Discussion will also focus on the applicable standards for transportation accessibility and key considerations/resources when implementing these standards. Group participation is encouraged.

This session will provide an in-depth review of the top Title II and Title III ADA cases and settlements from the past year. Among others, this session will review cases about effective communication, voting accessibility, emergency preparedness, criminal justice, and architectural access. In addition to reviewing the specific facts and ruling in each case and settlement, there will also be a discussion of the impact these cases may have on future ADA litigation.

The increased frequency and severity of large scale natural disaster events in the US is well documented. In 2017, there were 137 Presidential Declared disasters, a 62.5% increase over 2015. It is the responsibility of local government emergency management to assure that emergency preparedness and response programs are fully accessible to people with disabilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The extent to which ADA requirements have been implemented in emergency management, however, is not well known. This session will share research results addressing this question in Region IX in order to identify barriers to ADA implementation in emergency management and to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The implications of these results for emergency managers and ADA Coordinators will be discussed.

This course will cover the specific wording of ADA Standards Section 104.1.1 on tolerances and explain how it should be interpreted. It will cover what types of conditions are subject to the tolerances language and which ones are not. The instructors will discuss how they measure field conditions affecting accessibility and ADA compliance, how those measurements are critical in understanding and applying the tolerances language, and what types of field conditions affect the determination of whether a measurement is within the tolerances allowed by the standards. They will list sources they use for determining tolerances, and how they apply them under various conditions. Finally, the instructors will define and discuss the 'acceptable measurements' that are often agreed upon during ADA lawsuit settlement negotiations and how they differ from true tolerances. This session provides participants with feedback on a critical topic that has confounded practitioners since the ADA was passed.

The secret to creating accessible PDFs is to build accessibility into the source document, well before the final PDF is created. In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of the importance of creating accessible documents, a background in the accessibility framework, and a hands-on opportunity to create and check an accessible PDF from start to finish. REQUIRED: Participants must bring a laptop with Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Our panel of experts from The US Access Board, Justice Department, The International Code Council and Code Consultants Inc. provide their perspectives encompassing the disparate issues in designing and using Assembly spaces. This is an open forum discussion, inviting your input, questions and participation. If Assembly seems like a narrow topic for a workshop and this level of expert speakers, consider the following details we will examine in depth. 1. Wheelchair Spaces: Sightlines, Seat Identification, Removable Seating, Family Seating, Seating Amenities 2. Sightlines: Standing Vs. Seated Spectators, Seat Dispersion 3. Companion Seats: Multiple Companion Seats, Alignment, Armrests, Transfer 4. Bleachers/ Telescopic Seating: Integration, Alignment, Sightline Criteria, Temporary Bleachers 5. Designated Aisle Seats: Ambulatory and/or Chair User Designs, Aisle Lighting, Seat Designations 6. Communication Access: Assisted Listening Systems (ALS), Quality Of ALS, Maintenance, Loop Systems, Microphone Setup, Venues with No Amplification, Captioning, Signage, Sign Language Interpretation 7. Dinner Theater: Assembly and Dining Combined, Seating Oriented Toward Performances 8. Places Of Education: Lecture Halls, Fixed Work Surfaces, Tiered Seating, Stage Equipment 9. Accessible Routes, Aisles, And Access Accessways: Differences and Impact 10. Accessible Means Of Egress (AMOE): Location Of Wheelchair Spaces, Theater, Bleacher And Court Side Seating Differences, State Regulations 11. Social Stairs - Designs That Function as Both Stairs and Seating Areas, Accessible Routes 12. Other Topics: Sign Language Interpreters, Self-Service Ticketing, Restrooms, Music Practice Rooms, Dark Venues

This is a comprehensive session that defines effective communication under the ADA, reviews different forms of communication that need to be accessible, and determine methods of communication. This session will cover proactive steps to take for effective communication, and applying effective communication obligations to different settings.

The Americans with Disabilities Act can be confusing enough on its own. What can complicate it more is when an ADA case intersects with the Family and Medical Leave Act, Workers’ Compensation, or both! Starting with an overview of each law, we will then delve into the six main intersections of all three laws. After a comprehensive review of each intersection, participants will dissect a case study, followed by an opportunity to discuss their own cases. Through our discussion, we will identify what protection the individual has with corresponding laws, what possible accommodations can be made for the employee, and practical tools employers can use to ensure employees know their ADA rights.

Providing patient accommodations is a key component of ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for people with disabilities. This session will give an overview of the obligations to do this, plus lay out common accommodations by disability type, as well as strategies for designing systems to: identify and document patient accommodation needs in advance; implement policies that ensure staff understand obligations; procure the right mix of equipment to meet common accommodation needs; and develop “standard work” in the clinical setting for accommodation processes. The workshop will offer special focus to accommodations for people with mental health disabilities, including identifying common mental health disabilities in a health care setting and educating healthcare providers about effective accommodations to patients with mental health disabilities.

Come and learn about what it takes to make your parking lot accessible. This session will include basic information to help you build accessible parking that is effective and usable by everyone. We will be talking about ADA guidelines for parking such as, number of spots, signage, and spacing. We will also bring real examples of accessible parking challenges, on a large University Campus.

The Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS) are the most widely applied physical access requirements for the design and construction of Federal facilities (over 450,000 buildings, leases, and other structures). It’s implementing statue, the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA), was a signature achievement in the history of disability rights as the first Federal legislation mandating that buildings be accessible. However the ABA is relatively unknown beyond the Federal Government. In this session, we will review the ABA’s history and its relationship to the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Included will be an overview of the implementation and enforcement of the ABAAS with a focus on the U.S. General Services Administration’s and U.S. Access Board’s fundamental roles. Most importantly, critical differences between the ABAAS and the 2010 ADA Standards will be highlighted. We will also examine leasing situations where the ABA, ADA, and state/local codes overlap. Finally, we will consider the limitations of the ABA and key areas where the other the Acts are more applicable. Session participants will gain a general understanding of the Act and key aspects of the ABAAS important to the subject matter literacy of accessibility professionals.

What is assistive technology? What are some examples of assistive technology? Who uses it? How can it be used as a tool to eliminate barriers? These questions will be answered in an overview of assistive technology. Second half of session will be hands-on with a few stations, from tried and true to fun and new equipment.

This session has been updated from past years! The role of Title II ADA Coordinator can feel like a daunting task, and even more so when operating as an "office of one" without a team or support staff. This session presents tips and tricks for ADA Coordinators who feel overwhelmed, understaffed, and unsure of where to start. Discussion will include how to lay the groundwork for widespread support, working effectively with internal allies and community partners, and meeting compliance benchmarks when faced with reduced resources. Participants will leave this session understanding the process, challenges and successes that can be experienced while doing more with less. Note: this presentation is not intended to cover specifications of the Title II requirements for ADA Coordinators and should be considered as a companion to regulation-focused sessions.

Recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing qualified workers with disabilities provides extensive benefits for employers. This session will offer a discussion of those benefits with a focus on promising practices being used by top diversity employers around the globe. Learn about cutting edge techniques for campus recruiting, community partnerships, and innovations in professional development, among others.

Getting cab companies to buy lift equipped taxis in small to middle sized cities is a difficult proposition. In Columbia, MO (pop. 121,717) the city allocated $50K to create a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) grant program to form a public/private partnership to establish on-demand cab services. Adam Kruse, Columbia’s ADA Coordinator and Chuck Graham, Columbia Disabilities Commission Chair will present on the process from concept to completion and show you one way you might be able to increase accessible taxi service in your community.

Many of the 750,000 incarcerated people with disabilities daily experience discrimination where accommodations are often ignored or rejected. These inmates serve an average of fifteen more months in prison than other inmates. The time they serve is harder, experiencing more discipline with less access to positive programming. In response, the Southwest ADA Center has developed an extensive guide designed to be utilized by corrections, advocates, and ADA Centers to educate and train correctional facility staff regarding their ADA responsibilities concerning disabled inmates. The National Crime Victimization Survey, shows that the rate of serious violent crime experienced by persons with disabilities is more than three times the rate for persons without disabilities. Recognition of civil rights in justice settings is critical. Accommodations are needed to access services, support safety and obtain justice. Please join us in this interactive ADA civil rights discussion.

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. (ACTCP Foundation Credit)

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, qualified individuals, disability inquiries and medical examinations, essential vs. marginal functions, reasonable accommodations and interactive process, performance and conduct standards, direct threat, undue hardship, and general non-discrimination requirements. (ACTCP Foundation Credit)

Access to healthcare is critical for people with disabilities, but often many barriers exist. This session will review how litigation has impacted the ADA’s application to healthcare. Topics will include accessible medical facilities and equipment, effective communication, and service animals in healthcare facilities. In addition to reviewing specific court decisions and settlement agreements, this session will also identify trends and potential issues for future ADA healthcare-related litigation.

Colleges and universities face a myriad of laws and regulations that must be understood and applied in one of the most complex environments covered by the ADA. The variety and sheer number of services, programs, activities, and user types makes it difficult to know where to start, how to divide the responsibilities, and how to communicate the accommodations to the beneficiaries of all of their compliance efforts. This session will give participants some reference materials to simplify their efforts to understand their obligations. It will also include a discussion about how institutions of higher education usually departmentalize their compliance efforts and how that approach often results in gaps, confusion, waste, and missed opportunities. Without eliminating the normal assignment of obligations, the session will look at ways to reduce the side effects of that approach and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

The proposed "Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way" 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 guidelines for pedestrian access routes within sidewalks and shared use paths and for curb ramps and street crossings, parking and transit will be presented.

Bath and toilet room basics continue to evoke conflicts and challenges. Complicating what is already a challenging topic, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and assisted care settings are partnering with the design and codes industries toward a new way of thinking about toileting and bathing needs. This advanced design class examines the industry growth-edges of assisted toileting, assisted showering and bathing. Difficulties in anthropometrics, gender, fold down-grab bars, increased distances of toilets from walls and partitions, operations and maintenance, injuries and the demands on nursing or other staff are just the tip of this deep iceberg. The program is informed by recent studies for assisted toileting in nursing homes/hospitals and specifics for bariatric patients. This session in intended to compliment and distinguish the 2010 ADA Standards Plumbing session by the Access Board prescriptive provisions and what is on the horizon in the Codes industries.

ICT accessibility is often viewed as the result of the work of one person or team. There are risks in that view, though. How do you avoid putting all of the ICT accessibility eggs into one basket? How does that person or team handle its work and accessibility? What if someone hires your accessibility expert away? This session will focus on bigger picture questions about ICT accessibility. Namely, how do we make accessibility work, and work well over time? We will discuss how to treat ICT accessibility as something that is just a part of what we do instead of something to panic about at the end of a project. We will talk about where accessibility fits in naturally with technical, administrative and leadership roles. And we will discuss some of the common things organizations use to create a sustainable and effective ICT accessibility program.

Access to developed outdoor recreation areas and trailheads is critical for the inclusion of all Americans, but combining the words "Accessibility" and "Outdoor Recreation" may seem overwhelming or unobtainable. The Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) has been created to systematically collect information about different types of constructed features such as picnic tables, grills, etc. in outdoor recreation areas and evaluate them for compliance with applicable federal guidelines and standards, including the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation. This track will provide an overview of outdoor recreation guidelines and transition plans, discuss who is required to comply, and present feature assessment methods. This track includes a field exercise, collecting accessibility data for outdoor recreation features, which compliments the UTAP/HETAP trail assessment processes. Increased recreation facility information will enhance enjoyment of your resources by individuals of all abilities, including older adults, families with young children, and people with disabilities.

So, you are ready for that trip and you use a wheelchair for your mobility, or travel with a personal assistant, or use a service animal, what do you need to know? This session will provide an overview of the relevant laws by way of a slide presentation about a trip. Participants will follow a visual (and described) tour through: planning for getting there by booking travel; getting there via ground transportation (rental cars, private shuttles, car sharing apps, long distant over the road buses, and public transit), air transportation via airports and airlines, water based transportation via ferries and cruise ships; and being at hotels, convention centers, and resort locations. At each stage of the trip tour, participants will be introduced to the relevant law, basic accessibility requirements, and on-point news items dealing with the successes and travails of traveling with a disability.

The ADA and its implementing regulations require state and local courts, law enforcement and correctional facilities to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to take advantage of services provided by these governmental entities. Thus, whether courts, law enforcement or correctional personnel are interacting with crime victims, witnesses, arrestees, detainees or just members of the public, they are required to take steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to fully participate. This presentation will focus on the ADA legal principles in state and local courts, law enforcement, and correctional settings, including the applicable ADA regulations, and Technical Assistance Publications and recent cases in this area.

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.

As companies and state and local governments move their services to the web, access to the web has become a fundamental right of digital citizenship. Unfortunately, understanding web accessibility and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 A/AA (the de facto standard for web accessibility) is just about impossible for anyone who is not a web professional. This makes it very hard for newcomers or ADA professionals to understand what WCAG is and how its provisions affect people with disabilities in a practical way. This session is designed to overcome this problem. We will dissect WCAG 2.0 A/AA, explain what the provisions mean, and provide a demonstration using assistive technology of how each provision is important for meeting the needs of users with disabilities. This will make it easier for participants to understand the importance of WCAG and communicate this importance to others, including polcy-makers, decision-makers, and budget officers. This session builds on our other session, WCAG 2.0: An Introduction to Web Accessibility and a Practical Demonstration of the Real-Life Implications for People with Disabilities. That session provides a practical background into web accessibility and why meeting the WCAG 2.0 A/AA requirements is critical to the practical needs of users with disabilities. This session extends on that knowledge by providing simple vendor-neutral steps that any organization can use to achieve accessibility for its web content. First, it explains which WCAG 2.0 A/AA provisions are critical for avoiding a “surf by” lawsuit. It also explains why a simple Accessibility Statement ensures program access and equivalent access to goods and services—even if a website is not fully accessibility. It also describes how to build accessibility into web development processes so that future content remains accessible.

All too often designers and developers think of accessibility issues as an afterthought. Then they only think about ramps, elevators and the like. This interactive workshop is about how to teach those designers and developers to understand the experiences people with all different disabilities and how to lead to projects that serve everybody well and seamlessly.

This three-hour interactive workshop will consist of two sessions that focus on animals used by persons with disabilities and the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, and state laws. During the first hour or so, participants will examine hot topics and court cases, and discuss possible solutions to real-world encounters and problems. After a short break, the remaining time will be devoted to critiquing and refining a policy from an organization or institution that wants the benefit of the group’s expertise (healthcare, government, education, etc.). Otherwise, we will use a model policy or start from scratch. Participants will be asked to prepare for the session in advance, and we'll break into small groups that will address a single policy issue.

Accessibility (and compliance) goes beyond the physical environment and even beyond proper ticketing dispersion in venues and areas of assembly. Come learn how to help ensure you are providing effective communication and customer service for your guests with disabilities. This goes beyond what’s “nice to have” to what is truly required and can help ensure you most effectively meet the needs of your guests…as well as the requirements of the Department of Justice. Back by popular demand and with two separate 90 minute sessions to cover your questions more in depth and meet your specific needs, Josh and Nanette will bring together the legal perspective of Venue Access but also the practical aspect in the day-to-day operations. This training will also include mini-breakout sessions to focus on specific topics of interest, as well as case scenarios. Questions will be taken before the symposium so they can customize the presentation to the needs of the audience.

According to the EEOC, employers should be asking every job candidate, “Can you perform the essential functions of the job you’re applying for, with or without an accommodation?” This ADA-related requirement presumes that your job descriptions clearly delineate the essential and marginal duties of each position in your organization. Ask yourself – are essential job functions a key part of your organization’s job descriptions? Do your recruiters and hiring managers consistently ask this question during interviews? If the answer to either question is no, you’ve got work to do! Having effectively written job descriptions before hiring an employee helps with recruitment, performance management, compensation, FMLA and workers compensation issues, reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities, and possible litigation. Plus, if your organization is a U.S. Federal contractor, your new Section 503 compliance responsibilities to focus recruitment on individuals with disabilities and veterans makes quality job descriptions more important than ever.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires equal access to health care services and the facilities where the services are provided. Private hospitals or medical offices are covered by Title III of the ADA as places of public accommodation. Public hospitals and clinics and medical offices operated by state and local governments are covered by Title II of the ADA as programs of the public entities. Through the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, U.S. Attorneys' offices and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division have targeted their enforcement efforts on a critical area for individuals with disabilities – access to medical services and facilities. Recent and past court cases show that healthcare access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing remains a primary and ongoing concern.

The constant changes occurring in our society present new and significant challenges to the U.S. Department of Justice. Issues of voting impartiality, opioid epidemics, service animals, and transportation are just a few topics the DOJ is undertaking. This program is a window into what is happening at the Department and its work to ensure equal justice for persons with disabilities and all our citizens.

The ADA Accessibility Standards apply to a wide range of facilities in the public and private sectors. Determining how, and to what extent, these standards apply can be a challenge. In this session, you will learn how to apply the ADA Standards in new construction, alterations and additions. It will cover which rooms and spaces must comply in new facilities, exempt areas and structures, employee work areas, how the scope of work determines application in planned alterations and additions, primary function areas and accessible paths of travel, technical infeasibility and other topics. [Note: This session does not include Recreation. For Recreation see 10F.]

When people who are deaf or hard of hearing seek treatment or services, they often face barriers to communication access. The rise of video remote interpreting in healthcare settings has increased to ensure access to communication. The question still remains, is VRI considered an effective means of communication? In April 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit ruled that several Deaf patients could recover disability discrimination money damages against their hospital because of improper use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) to communicate with patients. That begs the question, what is the effective way to use VRI? The goal of this workshop is to discuss what Video Remote Interpreting is. Which type of situations would VRI benefit the consumer? What are the regulations & guidelines under the ADA in regards to video remote interpreting? Hear stories from several individuals who utilized video remote interpreting in their regions.

Across news media are stories of police departments mishandling interactions with people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Learn how the City, in conjunction with community partners, was able to develop viable training tools, policies, and ultimately relationships over the course of two years. This Session will present a case study of how the City of Fresno built a partnership between the police department and the community of people with I/DD.

A business may invest time and resources into providing accessible facilities, accessible websites and other services and features to their customers with disabilities. That investment, however, won't result in quality services for customers with disabilities if frontline staff doesn't have adequate training. This session will cover some of the information regarding disability etiquette that is particularly helpful to staff, the difference between meeting ADA compliance requirements and addressing customer service issues, and why it is important to develop policies and procedures that address your own business needs. The session will include many scenarios and common sense strategies.

This course is an expanded offering from 4F) Applying the 2010 Standards to New Construction, Alterations, and Additions course, which will not cover Recreation. Accessibility standards for pedestrian trails, picnic and camping facilities, viewing areas, and beach access routes became effective on federal sites in the fall of 2013. This session will highlight the scoping and technical requirements for these unique facilities. Additionally, this session will cover the proposed requirements for shared use paths. A discussion on best practices will discuss how the requirements can be used when designing outdoor facilities covered by the ADA.

The ADA has specific terms that are often misunderstood and misapplied by novices and experienced practitioners. This session will explain the differences between an “accessible route,” a “path of travel” and a “circulation path” and some of the similar sounding terms in the ADA Standards and regulations. The instructors will then discuss the different obligations and exceptions for each. The participants will look at examples from existing facilities and discuss whether they are “non-compliant” or “technically compliant” with the ADA Standards and relevant regulations. Then they’ll discuss how to decide if those examples might be acceptable solutions after analysis for “reasonable accommodations”, “equivalent facilitation”, “program access”, “readily achievable barrier removal” or “alternative methods”.

Many entities either haven’t started their ADA Transition Plan or have spent countless dollars getting something that simply doesn’t work for them. By doing literally dozens of ADA Transition plans we have developed a step by step approach to getting the plan done and done well, and making it a living document that can be used with all of the other “master plan” activities in your community. By breaking each step into manageable pieces and developing a guide for what the ultimate goal is, attendees will have what they need to write an effective RFP or RFQ to get the right people on board and get the results they need to satisfy their ADA requirements while also gaining valuable tools for project planning.

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 workplace rights of people with psychiatric disabilities under the ADA? What types of accommodations and auxiliary aids are commonly needed by individuals with these disabilities? Learn more about how employers can effectively engage candidates and employees with these functional limitations and benefit from quality talent.

The healthcare environment is unique and establishing an accessible environment for patients, family members, and visitors with disabilities is critical for effective care. This workshop focuses on the basic approaches used in healthcare to provide services, facilities and communication. Accessibility means that patients with disabilities can come into facilities, move around, get services, and participate during care. The workshop reviews the basic principles, practices, and approaches used in a complex healthcare system. Some specific ways to offer accessibility may require scheduling physically accessible spaces and equipment, communicating in ways that allow effective participation by patients with hearing, cognitive, or vision loss or changing ways of positioning on equipment during care. The Advanced session will build on the principles discussed in the basic session and provide in-depth scenarios, strategies, and approaches successful in healthcare programs.

Ensuring campuses are fully inclusive for all remains vital work for all institutions of higher education. This session will provide the audience with a novel approach of how to use mentoring to foster disability inclusion. An overview of mentoring along with how to develop a mentoring program focused on increasing and promoting disability inclusion will be discussed. The University of Kansas developed a mentoring for disability inclusion program in 2018. KU’s Mentoring Circles for Disability Inclusion program intends to broaden mentees’ perspectives on disability inclusion, provide knowledge, technical assistance, and expertise on disability inclusion, and provide opportunities for mentees to use this new perspective to change and improve disability inclusion within their own workplace. The Mentoring Circles for Disability Inclusion Pilot program began in December, 2018. The presenter will share the development, implementation and evaluation of the Pilot program with the audience.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) have been determined to be reasonable accommodations for users who are blind, low vision, and deaf blind to receive the same crosswalk information sighted users receive when crossing the roadway at a Traffic Signal. This session will focus on the design and construction of APS systems while also providing perspectives and field videos from various users. It will show how the Minnesota Department of Transportation has integrated the curb ramp requirements in the Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and the APS requirements in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to provide an accessible, maintainable and user friendly pedestrian system at signalized intersections.

Effective ADA Coordinators must be knowledgeable in the overall philosophies and principles that dictate facility designs in our society. Understanding the 2010 ADA Standards is only part of that educational journey. Most states now reference the International Building Code (IBC) and associated accessibility provisions. The IBC is the daily reality of all designers, code officials and contractors, and necessary for successful participation in the ACTCP ADA Coordinator program. Integrating accessibility during project planning, design and construction often limits or eliminates the need for latent retrofits as part of Title I accommodations, prevents unnecessary litigation and informs project costs and timelines. This session examines how and when building codes are enforced, and a general overview of the requirements in the codes and accessibility standard ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

What does communication look like when you have both vision and hearing barriers? What equipment can individuals use at work and to stay in touch with family and friends? The national iCanConnect program addresses those barriers with technology for distance communication. Find out about eligibility criteria and where to apply in each state. Facetime or video with iCanConnect participants will show attendees how this national program has impacted individuals’ lives.

My cat is smart, can he be my service animal? My apartment building allows my kangaroo, that calms my anxiety, but the city courthouse won’t allow it in – isn’t that illegal? This is my service animal – no one is allowed to ask me any questions about her, right? There is often extensive confusion about the roles and rights of individuals who utilize service animals, companion animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals. While there are various similarities, there are also many differences. This session will cover the legal definition of a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and rights and responsibilities of its handlers as well as businesses.

Having an effective ADA program begins with the ADA Coordinator. This session will clearly outline the functions of the ADA Coordinator position and how this position fits in the overall structure of the business. This interactive session will also focus on sharing successful strategies among business leaders to integrate the inclusion of people with disabilities into various aspects of the business culture.

When we attempt to explain an ADA concept the words we choose are important, but also crucial is the ease in which they flow naturally. For participants with beginning or advanced ADA knowledge and proficiency, this game based learning will challenge you. Participants will compete in teams to guess a series of ADA key terms or phrases based on descriptions given to them by their teammates. Participants will compete for prizes and the right to declare themselves ADA champions!

No ADA Symposium design program is complete without having the singular and impactful perspectives of the US Department of Justice for the implementation of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. This program deliberates the many significant supplemental regulations Justice added to the 2004 ADAAG before publication in 2012. This exclusive presentation provides insight into existing buildings, interpretations, equivalent facilitation and so many other critical factors in the built environment coming from the agency responsible for the majority of final determinations. This straightforward review of the ADA Standards promises to go well beyond the “It Depends…” response that often accompanies legal interpretations.

In this intensive three hour workshop, acquire sufficient knowledge to continue learning sign language independently: basic phrases to apply the rules learned, all of the handshapes, and how the ADA applies to sign language interpreting.

Have you or someone you know experienced a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act? Do you wish you could get the problem solved without the conflict, stress, negative publicity, & expense of a lawsuit? Other advocacy tools are available, & Structured Negotiation is one of them. Structured Negotiation is an advocacy strategy with more than 20 years of success in resolving ADA and other disability rights claims without lawsuits. Structured Negotiation gives people with disabilities a role in resolving legal claims that recognizes their expertise & experience. And Structured Negotiation offers tools that non-lawyer advocates can use in their day-to-day work. Structured Negotiation has a powerful track record. Over the past 2 plus decades the process has led to settlement agreements with some of the largest organizations in the United States including Bank of America, Walmart, Major League Baseball, Denny’s, Anthem, Inc., the City and County of San Francisco, Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, the City of Denver, the American Cancer Society, & MA General Hospital. Recently, a California county used the process with advocates to improve voting systems for blind voters. And advocates in Oregon used Structured Negotiation to improve sidewalk access for wheelchair riders in the city. These are just a few of the organizations & advocates who have traded the stress, cost & procedural wrangling of litigation for Structured Negotiation. This 2-part session will be led by Lainey Feingold, the disability rights lawyer who developed Structured Negotiation & recently wrote a book about the method. Lainey will share Structured Negotiation successes & give participants tools they can use to advance disability rights with cooperation over conflict. Part one will overview of the process with lots of stories from disability rights successes on issues including accessible websites, accessible sidewalks, talking prescription labels, accessible medical & financial records & talking ATMs. Part two will be a deep dive into the tools of Structured Negotiation. Participants will have a chance to think about how the process can be applied to their own situations and those of their clients & community members. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in exercises in communication skills central to the process. Collaborative tools like patience, empathy, & trust can lead to long-lasting solutions to accessibility & disability rights issues. Plus Q&A time.

The EEOC, courts, and lawyers talk about employers using an “interactive process” when responding to a request for reasonable accommodation. Employers and persons with disabilities have lost charges and lawsuits for poorly navigating this process. This session will examine what it means to engage in an “interactive process” in response to a request for reasonable accommodation. The session will help employers think about what information they need to evaluate a request – and why such information differs depending on the specific request. And individuals with disabilities will learn about their obligation to provide information that fully explains why accommodation is needed and how to respond to offers of alternative accommodations. We will break down the process into steps and examine the types of specific questions that need to be asked of the applicant or employee, as well as health care professionals and supervisors. The session will provide tips for best practices to ensure that the lines of communication between an employer and an individual remain open and productive.

Ensure that you are up to date on the most significant legal developments, as this session will provide an in-depth review of the top Title I ADA cases and settlements from the past year. Among others, this session will review cases about the definition of disability, essential job functions, reasonable accommodations, medical exams, and wellness programs. In addition to reviewing the specific facts and ruling in each case and settlement, there will also be a discussion of the impact these cases may have on future ADA litigation.

Continuation of 5C) Part 1

In this session, we will discuss two topics, how to create and plan for a position, and how to set the position up for success. As we talk about defining an ADA Coordinator role(s) we will discuss top questions for your college or university to work through. Discussion topics will include; how to advocate for funding a position(s), where the position is housed, defining the duties/responsibilities, where does the positional authority come from, and who might be your key partners to get such a position finalized. There are many different models to draw direction from, so the conversation will flow through many possibilities with pros and cons for each. After the creation of a position is defined, we will spend the rest of the session talking through how to set the position up for success, including both proactive vs reactive work, and how to set priorities.

This session will address how NYC Parks goes above and beyond mere compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide increased access and opportunities for recreation and participation for all persons with disabilities and their mobility devices. We will present examples of universal design for increased accessibility. We will also demonstrate, with examples, how accessible features can be included in plans for a variety of park types, as well as present project designs that demonstrate how NYC Parks is building and rebuilding playgrounds, park landscapes, comfort stations and recreational facilities throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

What type of signs are covered by the ADA Standards? Which ones must be tactile? Are signs required where none are planned? These are just some of the questions that frequently come up when addressing access to signs under the ADA. This session will clarify requirements for signs in the ADA Standards and review provisions for tactile signs, visual signs, pictograms, and required accessibility symbols.

Social media is now the number one way people connect with each other and an estimated 20% of the population has a disability. If your social media content isn’t accessible, you’re significantly limiting your reach and effectiveness on these platforms and making it harder for people to connect with you. This workshop will cover how to make social media content more accessible to everyone and why it’s worth doing.

This workshop is designed to inform disability advocates, community leaders and everyday citizens about the duties and responsibilities cities have as it relates to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990, and its impact communities. Why cities must provide accessible public rights-of way that afford disabled persons the same opportunity to enjoy and have access to public amenities. How advocacy for accessible accommodations and working in conjunction with local governments can make a difference in future planning for an inclusive, livable, age friendly communities, and understanding how ADA impacts everyone’s lives in our effort to insure that everyone has the opportunity to live a happier, independent and more productive life.

Businesses may not be federally required to perform an ADA self-evaluation the way a public entity is but that does not mean they do not have responsibilities under the ADA. Goods and services must still be accessible and the best way to ensure that is to perform accessibility assessments of both customer service policies and facilities. This session will explore the readily achievable requirements towards making a business accessible as well as discuss strategies for handling customer service issues and training employees.

Texas and California have been leaders in the nation for their unique approach to enforcement of state accessibility laws and codes through the CASp and RAS accessibility specialist licensing programs. This session, presented by representatives from the California Division of the State Architect and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, will provide an overview of the program history, laws and enforcement efforts in both states and will compare and contrast the two approaches. The last 30 minutes will include a question and answer session with state representatives as well as current licensees from both states.

It is the responsibility of local government emergency management to assure that emergency preparedness and response programs are fully accessible to people with disabilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A variety of resources exist to assist local Emergency Managers and ADA Coordinators in the implementation of their jurisdictional responsibility. While emergency managers have noted they understand they have a responsibility to provide accessible services in disasters, they are unsure how to do so. This session will share resources from several sources, including new ones from federal agencies based on what happened in the 2017 disasters that can lead to a more accessible emergency plan.

Federal contractors are mandated to try to hire individuals with disabilities. Other employers are seeking the same. But barriers exist – Top executives adopt the goal, but the frontline recruiters and hiring managers are unfamiliar with what individuals with disabilities can actually do and automatically have negative expectations of those individuals. Employers commonly believe that the ADA prohibits them from telling recruiters and hiring managers an applicant is disabled, even though people commonly know if an applicant is from another protected class – female, nonwhite, etc. People on the employer side typically fear what they can say, do not know how to find qualified disabled candidates, use automated programs that make it statistically unlikely that disabled applicants will be noticed, have negative expectations for disabled workers’ productivity, worry about future team members’ responses to new disabled colleagues, etc., etc. This session will identify common roadblocks and explore solutions.

Access to healthcare is of critical importance. To diagnose, care and treat patients with disabilities, practitioners use specific equipment and methods to assure the same access to care as patients without disabilities. This workshop will explore what medical diagnostic equipment is, how it functions and strategies to put a program in place for equipment. The panel includes experts from the U.S. Access Board, U.S. Department of Justice and a Healthcare Disability Access Officer who developed and put a program in place over the last 10 years. Learning goals of this presentation: 1. Understand the basic principles of medical diagnostic equipment in healthcare. 2. Status and overview of the Standards developed by the U.S. Access Board Understand how this impacts your responsibilities in healthcare 3. Discuss challenges and successes for medical diagnostic equipment and creating a program.

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) presents unique challenges for both public and private colleges and universities. Updating and implementing ADA/504 Self Evaluations and Transition Plans covering physical access can appear daunting to even the most experienced of campus administrators, educators, and planners. Public entities that have 50 or more employees, such as public colleges and universities, are required to have a transition plan in place that addresses structural changes necessary for achieving program accessibility. Come to this session if you are interested in learning more about how this is being accomplished at public higher education campuses using innovative approaches to GIS-based data collection, prioritization, budget planning, and integration of barrier removal plans into campus capital improvements and maintenance programs.

This session will review pertinent topics relating to doing a field review of existing site conditions for compliance with accessibility codes and standards. The presenter will focus on the tools and methodologies of gathering data regarding elements subject to compliance such as how to ascertain distances, slopes, heights, etc… In addition, we will briefly cover some important information needed prior to performing the review as well as how to craft any results in a manner that will best suit the purpose of the survey. Finally, we will touch on “dimensional tolerances” or “field deviations”.

This program is another example of our commitment to create educational sessions that are more about application and participation and less about theory. Accessibility fails in design are found around nearly every corner and down almost every ramp. This session dives deeply into the most prevalent, real-world accessibility barriers and errors observed on plan reviews and site surveys by one of the nation’s leading Codes Consultant firms. This session focuses on failures in such fundamental elements as parking, operable parts, protruding objects, toilet rooms and accessible routes. To exercise what we learn, the session discusses practical solutions and remedies for accessibility barriers. Expect extensive attendee participation and everyone is invited to share their own experiences.

Audio Description Services [ADS or AD] provides narration of visual elements – action, costumes, characters, settings, etc. - of theater, television/film, museum exhibitions, art galleries, dance performances, parades, and other events where what we see can be just as critical as what we hear. All people need to be able to fully participant in cultural life. ADS enables individuals who are blind or have low vision the opportunity to experience events more completely. The session begins by exploring the history of ADS in the United States and its importance under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those interested in becoming a describer will relish the remainder of the session as techniques for description best practices are discussed and opportunities to practice new skills are shared.

Corrections and Law Enforcement personnel have unique issues in providing effective communication to Deaf and Hard of Hearing offenders. Deaf offenders in custody of local, county, or state facilities, or under post-release supervision by corrections, have as full and equal enjoyment of its services, privileges, facilities, advantages, and accommodations as non-Deaf offenders. The presenter will discuss experiences with ADA compliance in the corrections and law enforcement environment. Topics addressed will include technology, security, privacy, and training.

Most technical questions about the ADA Accessibility Standards concern access to restrooms and bathing facilities. This session will clarify common sources of confusion in this area and review requirements in the standards for single and multi-user restrooms, toilets and toilet compartments, urinals, lavatories, roll-in showers, transfer showers and tubs. It will explain the rationale behind various specifications and use a storyboard approach to show how the requirements apply and interrelate in designing compliant restrooms and bathrooms.

The rights of people with disabilities in housing are critical to being able to live independently in the community. Landlords, condo associations, homeowners’ associations and others involved in housing all have obligations under the Fair Housing Act. If federal funds are involved Section 504 of the Rehab Act applies. Municipalities, counties, housing authorities, states and other public entities also have obligations under the ADA. Confused? You are not alone. We will discuss the difference between reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications in housing, how the ADA definition of service animals differs from the Fair Housing Act, examples of reasonable accommodations in housing, what questions housing providers may (and may not) ask and what documentation of a disability is permitted. For people with disabilities and their advocates: how to make a request for a reasonable accommodation or modification. For housing providers: how to recognize a request for a reasonable accommodation or modification.

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. (ACTCP Foundation Credit)

Best in class companies have an actionable and well communicated accommodation policy and robust practices to support their policy. Deb Dagit, former Chief Diversity Officer for Merck, and the Co-Directors of the Job Accommodation Network moderated a number of conversations/focus groups with companies known for their success in recruiting and retaining individuals with disabilities and their associated RA processes. The conversations culminated into the Workplace Accommodation Toolkit of best and emerging accommodation practices. The Toolkit also provides a number of video-based training modules depicting situations that are frequently experienced between people managers and employees with disabilities during various phases of the employee’s life cycle. Each scenario culminates in a solution to the situation posed. These videos will be featured during this interactive session. In addition, Lou will provide an overview of the Toolkit contents focusing on the most pragmatic and important practices that can be replicated in any size company.

Most historic buildings and sites were not built for people with diverse needs and functional abilities. The focus in recent years has been improving physical access while maintaining the historic character of the building. This session will venture beyond accessibility and explore universal design techniques to foster a more inclusive approach to the historic environment. This interactive session will include case studies, lecture and conversations to explore the delicate balancing act and challenges involved providing greatest possible public access to historic properties.

All employees are hired to perform specific essential functions. What happens when supervisors fail to ensure their employees do the jobs they were hired to do? ADA Coordinators can get stuck in the middle. When an employee stops performing an essential function, supervisors must intervene and simply ask, “How can I help?” Sometimes, the performance problem is due to a physical or mental limitation that might qualify for reasonable accommodation so that the employee can perform the essential function. Other times, the job might be a bad fit for that particular employee. Unfortunately, these supervisory lapses can go unchecked for years. When disabilities are present, the ADA Coordinator might be expected to fix the problem. We will talk about actual cases the presenter has resolved and discuss situations the participants are working through. Participants will receive easy scripts to give supervisors to help them initiate difficult conversations with their staff.

This session will focus on how the opioid crisis and the legalization of marijuana in various states are raising ADA issues in the workplace. Coverage under the ADA based on substance abuse can be confusing. Even if there is coverage, the ADA’s protection extends only to those who are qualified for a job and who do not pose a direct threat to health or safety. Employers are free to adopt and enforce workplace rules addressing alcohol and drug use. The ADA also has rules on when an employer may seek information – including conducting drug and alcohol testing -- from applicants and employees related to alcohol and drug use and substance abuse. We will review all of these issues as well as possible reasonable accommodations for those dealing with substance abuse and the importance of confidentiality.

Recent research findings and a review of legal cases underscore the need to continue efforts to increase health care accessibility. This session will aid participants in better understanding issues involved in accessible health care and provide an overview of practical information, resources, and trainings available to states, health plans and providers, ADA coordinators, and other stakeholders to improve accessibility for health care recipients. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office and the ADA National Network (ADANN) will focus on resources that support increased accessibility in health care facilities, services, and communication materials. Increasing awareness among in-field personnel about available resources is intended to optimize existing opportunities, increase their impact in enhancing health care accessibility and build capacity among personnel in the field. Participants will hear from staff in CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office and ADANN Project Directors.

The goal of this workshop is to provide the audience with an understanding of some of the more complex questions that commonly arise in the reasonable accommodation process at colleges and universities. Topics discussed will include best practices for addressing leave as a reasonable accommodation, reasonable accommodations for faculty, the interrelationship of FMLA/ADA, an employee’s inability to perform essential job functions, transfer, discipline, animals in the workplace, temporary disabilities, determining whether accommodations are reasonable or unreasonable, and denial of an accommodation request.

A personal perspective from an engineer who uses a wheelchair will show how roadway engineering practices impact users who have a disability. This session will track MNDOT’s progression beginning with creating an ADA Transition Plan and adopting PROWAG in 2010. This included meeting the minimum federal curb ramp improvement requirement. Recently MNDOT has committed to aggressively accelerate the time period to substantially complete its ADA Transition Plan from the previous 80+ year pace down to 20 years by reconstructing sidewalks, driveways, and removing barriers on all roadway construction projects. Attendees will see how ADA technical standards are converted into highway engineering standards and practices and how they are incorporated into construction plans and implemented in the field. They will get a feel for the complexity involved with integrating ADA into a large roadway engineering organization and get useful tips they can use in their own agencies and communities.

Do you have a burning question regarding accessible sidewalks, pedestrian signals, parking or transit facilities in the Public Rights-of-Way? Is there procedural issue that you are confused about? Are you struggling with how to develop a Self-evaluation and Transition Plan for the right of way? Join us for this popular interactive session where you will have an opportunity to ask your questions. Attendees will be able to submit questions to be addressed by the speaker in advance of the session. All questions should be submitted by email to anderson@engineering4access.com prior to the conference. The speaker will take "live" questions in-session as well.

Use of the Internet is increasingly enmeshed and vital in education, business, and daily life. However, various settlements and court cases have brought to the forefront the inequality and “missing pieces” in web access for people with disabilities. Creating an accessible website is like solving a jigsaw puzzle. You start with the “corners” of the definition, impact and rationale for web access. Then move to the “edges” that frame the puzzle, including experiencing how people with disabilities access websites and reviewing applicable laws and established guidelines, such as the ADA, Section 508, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Your next focus is on assembling the “content” based on awareness and evaluation of common web barriers through tools and best practices. Discover and engage in a framework to understand the “pieces” and integrate hands-on solutions that will help your website be accessible and usable to a diverse audience.

Project Civic Access (PCA) is a wide-ranging effort by the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that counties, cities, towns, and villages comply with the ADA by eliminating physical and communication barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life. The City and County of Denver finalized a PCA Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2018. This session will share the experience of the collaborative efforts between the Denver Office of Disability Rights and the Denver City Attorney’s Office with the U.S. Department of Justice to create a detailed settlement agreement which encompassed multiple departments, budgetary commitments as well as short- and long-terms plans to achieve full compliance with the ADA. Presenters will provide practical considerations, strategies, challenges, and an opportunity to ask questions. This session is highly recommended for ADA Coordinators, attorneys and city officials.

Both private business and state and local government have an obligation to ensure effective communication for participants and members of the public. Join us in this session to walk through a systematic approach for understanding your legal obligation and planning effective communication methods and techniques for your customers and participants.

This course is designed for Local Government ADA Coordinators and Law Enforcement Officers. The goal is to open a dialog between the two professions and improve overall contacts with wheelchair users. During the 90 minute session, attendees will be instructed on the fundamentals designs and uses for wheelchairs, How to conduct safe interviews, searches, handcuffing concerns, restraint and transportation issues. In addition to ADA Coordinators and Law Enforcement Officers, this course is will be helpful for all first responders of every profession. This class is instructed in an open format where questions and participation from the audience is encouraged. The instructor keeps the course lively with numerous examples of law enforcement contacts and personal stories.

This session will provide an opportunity for attendees with advanced knowledge and experience in Title III of the ADA to discuss pertinent issues and problem solve. Attendees will have a chance to discuss their own everyday issues and problems they face and work with others facing similar issues to come up with possible problem solving techniques that they can take back home with them. The session will follow a guided facilitation format.

Accessibility (and compliance) goes beyond the physical environment and even beyond proper ticketing dispersion in venues and areas of assembly. Come learn how to help ensure you are providing effective communication and customer service for your guests with disabilities. This goes beyond what’s “nice to have” to what is truly required and can help ensure you most effectively meet the needs of your guests…as well as the requirements of the Department of Justice. Back by popular demand and with two separate 90 minute sessions to cover your questions more in depth and meet your specific needs, Josh and Nanette will bring together the legal perspective of Venue Access but also the practical aspect in the day-to-day operations. This training will also include mini-breakout sessions to focus on specific topics of interest, as well as case scenarios. Questions will be taken before the symposium so they can customize the presentation to the needs of the audience.

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.

This presentation will provide guidance on the topic of disability language and etiquette. The goal of the training is to assist attendees in feeling more comfortable interacting with individuals with disabilities. This presentation will discuss People First Language, will address respectful language with regard to specific disabilities, and will offer examples throughout. The presentation will include a 10-minute group activity and is intended to be heavily interactive. The speakers will encourage questions and comments throughout the presentation. This disability language and etiquette curriculum is potentially beneficial for attendees from all sectors.

The transition from high school to post-secondary education is a major adjustment for any student. But students with disabilities have to navigate changes in education-related laws, securing accommodations and a number of other issues as well. What information should students have before they enter college or other post-secondary education? How can high schools, post-secondary schools, parents and students work together to make sure students have the information and skills they need to successfully navigate this major transition. This session will discuss these issues as well as best practices.

Each year, members of the Accessibility Professionals Association submit photographs of the best (or worst) examples of architectural barriers they have seen for an informative and humorous slide show. For each condition, the requirement from the ADA Standards is identified and solutions for making corrections are discussed.

Dormitories and residential projects may be regulated by the ADA, FHA, Section 504 and the Building Code, or even a combination of these multi-layered provisions. Educational housing also presents a unique mix of ADA Title I & II, and can include barrier removal and program access complications. And, since many universities and colleges are actually their own authority having jurisdiction under the Codes, chances are they have their own set of accessibility requirements. This very advanced session guides us through the labyrinthine world of accessible and inaccessible college living. As if not challenging enough, the session also compares and contrasts requirements for educational housing with other categories of residential projects. Applying the triggering mechanisms for the different codes and regulations, this program teases out the pivotal technical requirements associated with sites, sleeping/dwelling units, amenities and other areas included in dormitories and housing.

Digital accessibility is about making sure that people with disabilities — including people who cannot hold a mouse, see a screen, hear a video, or process crowded, complex or flashing content — can use and create technology. It’s about making sure that all of us can consume and interact with the information and services of the digital world. Digital accessibility is a civil right of every person with a disability. There is a strong legal framework in the United States and beyond supporting digital accessibility efforts in the public and private sectors, in higher education, and throughout society. Every day disabled people informally use the law to participate in the digital world. And lawsuits, Structured Negotiations, and government agency activity impact how organizations around the country approach digital accessibility. With so many legal developments, and a risk of backlash based on some strategies, disability advocates need to stay informed. This session will take participants through key cases, court decisions, government agency activity, Structured Negotiation settlements, and other recent developments in the digital accessibility legal space. Most importantly, the session will offer non-lawyers as well as lawyers a framework and tools for putting the law in their pocket to advance digital accessibility in their communities.

Section 503 holds contractors to greater accountability related to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining individual with disabilities. In September of 2017, Cornell University, in partnership with the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG), conducted a survey of representatives of federal contractors to shed light on how organizations are initially responding to these regulations. The survey sought to better understand: 1) approaches to disability data collection and analysis, 2) response rates and self-identification rates for disability data collection, and 3) changes in key policies and practices as a result of the new Section 503 regulations, particularly those designed to increase the talent pipeline, the self-identification rate and overall workplace inclusion of individuals with disabilities. This presentation will share those rich results and provide insights from organizations who have found success in increasing disability inclusion and self-identifications rates. As Director of the Department of Inclusion & Workforce Diversity at Cornell University, Angela will share practical approaches to implementing Section 503 during the session as well.

Many organizations, across many industries, have not made accessibility a part of their offerings to consumers. The false assumption, that persons with disabilities represent a small portion of the population with little spending power, is part of the reason. In this session, we will provide statistics illustrating how accommodating persons with disabilities goes beyond legislative requirements and represents a significant market opportunity. Specifically, businesses can reach a large and growing demographic and improve corporate performance. Attendees will learn the importance of gaining access to a growing and influential market that benefits everyone and impacts sales. We will highlight some struggles in getting a business case approved and encourage session participants to share insight and experience.

This session will focus on how Sharing Economy Vendors, particularly those who focus on Rideshare and Vacation Rental Properties such as Uber, Lyft, AirBnB, VRBO, and others ensure that the access to the goods and services that they market are accessible to individuals with disabilities and whether such products and services are ADA Compliant. The question is what are these "access economy" vendors’ responsibility to ensure that the services that they market are accessible to individuals with disabilities? The obligation of ADA compliance and non-discrimination by service providers and how it impacts their consumers will be examined. The impact for providers of such goods and services, who may be individuals with disabilities, to be “ADA Compliant” will be explored and discussed.

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. (ACTCP Foundation Credit)

An employee’s workplace experience includes how they interact with the social, emotional, physical, personal, environmental and organizational aspects of their job. A healthy workplace experience is shown to increase retention, engagement and performance while being integral to a positive workplace culture. When employers integrate employee engagement and ergonomic programs into their workplace, employees with disabilities are often overlooked. This can have the unintended adverse effect of causing employees with disabilities to feel disengaged from their work, alienated from their employer, and unable to perform their job duties at their highest potential. In the context of Title I and Title II settings, participants in this workshop will learn inclusive strategies for evaluating their workplace experience, developing initiatives, and implementing programs that are shown to improve the environmental, emotional, social, physical, personal and organizational aspects of their comprehensive workplace experience. In addition, participants will learn methods for adapting existing employee engagement and ergonomic programs to accommodate employees with disabilities.

The silver tsunami is here! Now that the baby boomer generation is aging, we need to consider how this impacts our built environment. This overview of design considerations and lighting, can easily be addressed to not only allow us to age in place later, but also to have others visit us, whether they have issues concerning accessibility or aging, whether just slowing down, or have a more vigorous disability. This seminar addresses more than just the minimum standards of technical accessible design, but rather additional good design practices and implementation overall. We will discuss common areas of concern and issues of aging and our built environment thru photographs of both good and more challenging examples of typical elements.

This presentation will cover certain legal limits in the scope of coverage and enforceability of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, it will provide an overview scoping limits --- who and what is covered under the ADA, and what thresholds or boundaries exist in ADA coverage, along with updated case information on issues including: Transitory and Minor Impairments (definition of disability), ADA Specific Exclusions (Title V), Private Sector Employee Count Thresholds (Title I), and Employment for Title II Entities, If and how ADA applies to American Indian Tribes & Reservations under Titles I, II and III (Sovereign Immunity), The ADA and Private Clubs (Title III), The ADA and Churches, Clergy & the Ministerial Exception (Titles I & III), ADA at and beyond the borders of the US, Cruise Ships and International Air Carriers (ADA, ACAA, and International and US Constitutional Law).

This session will provide an opportunity for attendees with advanced knowledge and experience of Title I ADA Employment to discuss pertinent issues and problem solve. Attendees will have a chance to discuss their own everyday issues and problems they face and work with others facing similar issues to come up with possible problem solving techniques that they can take back home with them. The session will follow a guided facilitation format.

The Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE; https://aaspire.org) is a national community-academic partnership that brings together academic researchers, adults on the autism spectrum, family members, and disability and health services providers to conduct community-based participatory research to improve the health and well-being of adults on the autism spectrum. Together, we completed a series of studies to create and test the AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit (https://www.autismandhealth.org). The centerpiece of the toolkit is the Autism Healthcare Accommodations Tool, which allows patients to create a personalized accommodations report for their healthcare providers. The toolkit also includes worksheets, checklists, and other resources for patients, supporters, and healthcare providers. The workshop will discuss recommendations for the inclusion of adults on the autism spectrum in research and program development; the development, content and testing of the AASPIRE Healthcare toolkit; and recommendations for improving healthcare for adults on the spectrum.

Digital Accessibility is of rising importance in the higher ed landscape, and yet many institutions struggle to proactively create policies and procedures in this area. This session will provide you with the information to get started with this work on your campus. We will review different approaches to digital accessibility policies across higher ed, cover the process of policy development for this very unique area of ADA compliance, and, most importantly, discuss strategies for obtaining institutional support and resources for these policies on your campus. We will also address setting up the right policy focus and structure of governance for your particular institution, leveraging the resources you already have at your school to bolster support and begin to implement your policy, and methods for raising awareness about digital accessibility as an essential component of your campus accessibility as a whole.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to use a roll-in shower or a tub seat? Or what happens when a hand-held shower or grab bars aren’t provided? This session will explore shower and tub requirements and how those elements are used from the perspective of individuals with disabilities – both compliant and non-compliant conditions.

It's time for the fun stuff! The session will cover the facilities addressed in Chapter 10 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The scoping and technical requirements for amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing facilities, golf and miniature golf facilities, play areas, sporting facilities and swimming pools and spas will be highlighted.

This session will discuss how people with disabilities use mobile technologies, examining both helpful apps and assistive technologies built into Smart Phones. This interactive session will be led by presenters with disabilities who use mobile technologies in their own daily lives.

Music festivals, street fairs and other temporary leisure events strengthen our connection to others and foster strong communities. Unique challenges are faced when creating facility and program accessibility and ensuring communication at these events. This session will cover the ADA obligations of Title III entities that offer temporary outdoor community programming and provide examples that illustrate the application of these guidelines in real-world settings. It will specifically address typical barriers encountered by individuals with disabilities and removal of those barriers in the provision of accessible: routes, seating, concessions & vending, restrooms and parking. It will also address effective communication, auxiliary aids and services, and the use of certified American Sign Language Interpreters at these events. The right interpretive team, one that displays a nuanced navigation of meeting both the interpreting and performance needs, is necessary to provide maximum enjoyment for the Deaf, Deaf/Blind and Hard of Hearing attendees. Specific focus will be given to the training and hiring of an ASL interpreting team.

This session will provide an overview of ADA requirements related to accessible facilities, effective communication, reservation practices and other operational issues relevant for hotels, motels, inns and other places of lodging. Additionally, we will discuss best practices and provide resources for improving and maintaining accessible facilities, planning inclusive meetings and events, and ensuring staff are prepared to provide exemplary customer service to guests with disabilities.

This course is designed for Local Government ADA Coordinators to assist them in understanding how police officers respond to calls for service involving individuals on the Autism Spectrum and the challenges Law Enforcement faces. The goal is to help ADA Coordinators open a dialogue with the Police Departments that service their community in an effort to improve their response protocols, if needed, and cooperate with them to better serve the Autism community they are entrusted to protect. Topics that will be covered include Autism research, the diagnosis process, behaviors and characteristics, common therapies, restraint and control and the often ignored caregiver contacts. During this course participants will be instructed on how to recognize the signs of Autism, identify safe means to communicate and contact individuals on the spectrum. In addition to ADA Coordinators this course is will be helpful for all first responders of every profession, to include Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services. This class in instructed in an open format where questions and participation from the audience is encouraged. The instructor keeps the course lively with numerous examples of spectrum contacts with law enforcement and personal stories.