ADALive!

In this episode, we talk about some of the most common questions that the Southeast ADA Center received this year related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the legal rights of people with disabilities. We have received over 1,600 questions this year. As a team, we focus on each request for information and send specific resources to help with those questions. Our guest is Jenny Sykes, Lead Technical Information Specialist for the Southeast ADA Center.

Vidya Sundar and Debra Brucker, co-principal investigators of the University of New Hampshire's new Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Living and Working with Long COVID and Disabilities, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDLRR), discuss their proposed research activities to be implemented over the next five years. A critical piece of their research is to build on their prior study on the use and impact of “job crafting,” or how individuals can redesign their jobs to better align with their strengths without having to self-identify with a disability and rely on the formal disability accommodation process. To learn more about job crafting, and the other research projects to be implemented relating to people with pre-existing disabilities who have Long COVID, listen to this podcast.

Sharon Rennert, senior attorney with the ADA Division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has played a leading role in the development of their policy interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. In this podcast, Sharon explains the protections for people with disabilities in employment and how they apply to people with Long COVID. Rennert describes the importance for employers to understand the protections that job applicants and employees with disabilities have in the workplace, and the related responsibility for people with disabilities to understand the process for securing needed accommodations that enable them to perform the essential functions of their job.

Professor Yana Rodgers, Rutgers University and Professor Jennifer Cohen, Miami University discuss their collaborative research about Long COVID, disability and accommodation. Their research examines the prevalence of Long COVID across different demographic groups, and the extent with which workers with impairments associated with Long COVID have benefitted from remote work. People with pre-existing disabilities, women, sexual and gender minorities, individuals without college degrees and Hispanic people are more likely to experience Long COVID. These groups are also more likely to be clustered in jobs less amenable to remote work. Rodgers and Cohen suggest other types of accommodations for employers to consider, including flexible scheduling and task-sharing that re-evaluates essential job functions.

Pandemic Patients founder Andrew Wylam discusses the reasons he created the organization, and his vision for future national efforts to address issues facing individuals with disabilities with Long COVID. The organization also manages a COVID 19 Advocacy Center to connect individuals with Long COVID with policy makers in support of legislative proposals that will improve access to health services and expansion of family and medical leave policies. His organization offers a Legal Assistance Network that provides attorneys who volunteer their time to assist individuals with Long COVID with such issues as disability discrimination in the workplace and access to social security disability benefits. He explains some of the challenges he has encountered as he has advocated for policies that are shaped around Long COVID, but also discusses the importance of supporting individuals with Long COVID on a one-on-one basis to help them with their new daily challenges.

Mason Ameri, associate professor at the Rutgers University Business School, describes how the pandemic has transformed the outlook of disability employment. Tight labor markets have demonstrated an increased willingness by employers to have remote workers, and people with disabilities are helping meet this demand. However, the growth of telework is more likely in white collar jobs, and workers with disabilities are more concentrated in blue collar jobs and service positions. There is a need for more research to understand how employers can restructure jobs where nonessential tasks are done remotely as well as increased understanding of remote work as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA with other supports that make that possible. There remain unanswered questions as to whether remote workers will be put to a different standard in proving performance necessary for career advancement, challenged by less real time interaction face-to-face with supervisors.

Nicholas Wyman, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Skills and Innovation, describes the value that apprenticeships offer in addressing disability employment disparities. In doing so, he describes the obstacles that people with disabilities face in seeking employment, whether outright discriminatory assumptions or longstanding practices that may have good intentions but have adverse consequences for people with disabilities. It is vital with continued skilled labor shortages for employers to rethink the application processes and coordinated support systems to enable disabled people to succeed in inclusive apprenticeships.

Ari Ne'eman, doctoral candidate in health policy at Harvard University, says that the numbers demonstrate the extraordinary impact the COVID-19-induced shift to expanded telework had on the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but even those don't tell the complete story regarding what remote work means for disability employment. It is a situation reflective of the gains prospective employees with disabilities experienced because of the pandemic and the parallel economic recession, Ari Ne'eman, doctoral candidate in health policy at Harvard University, says in this episode. The overnight shift to remote work for much of the general workforce because of the pandemic has made it more difficult for employers to argue that physical presence in the workplace is an essential component in job duties, Ne'eman points out, and this is the essence of how disability employment has benefited from remote work. That deconstruction of the perceived importance of physical presence in the workplace needs to be normalized.

Lydia Brown, director of public policy at the National Disability Institute, discusses two issues preventing people with disabilities from excelling in the workforce and in general: policies that trap them in poverty and artificial intelligence that discriminates. Antiquated Social Security rules with asset and income limits create a poverty trap that limits a disabled individual from seeking more pay or career advancement. In terms of AI, algorithms are being used that may screen out candidates with disabilities based on certain characteristics such as gaps in employment history, or length of time it took an individual to graduate from college. Often these characteristics are unrelated to a job function or job performance. Brown says these are two of the major issues of this generation for not only disability rights groups but also policymakers. They represent larger issues regarding policies, laws, socioeconomic structures, and the need to address our fundamental values as a society.

Zach Morris, Assistant Professor, Stony Brook University School of Social Work, calls for a re-evaluation of the systems in place to support people with disabilities. We must recognize that people with disabilities not only earn less than people without disabilities. They also face extra expenditures to cover disability-related out-of-pocket costs.

Lisa Mills, Owner, Moving to a Different Drum, Disability Policy and Services Consulting, discusses opportunities to increase employment outcomes by braiding and blending resources across funding sources such as vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid, and Ticket to Work.

Chai Feldblum, Vice Chair of the AbilityOne Commission and former EEOC Commissioner, discuss the importance of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and describe the strategic plan to modernize the AbilityOne program. She also talks about the recent rule that prohibits payment 14(c) subminimum wage on contracts within the AbilityOne Program.

Jay Burks, Director of Supplier Diversity at the Comcast Corporation, shares about the importance of ensuring that large companies like Comcast buy goods and services from diverse suppliers, including Disability-owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs).

Jim Sinocchi, Former Head, Disability Inclusion JPMorgan Chase, lays out four principles of disability inclusion in the workplace: attitude, assimilation, accommodations, and accessibility. He notes that these are principles that extend to life itself, where people with disabilities have lives that cost more and are deemed socially inferior.

Carol Glazer, President of the National Organization on Disability, discusses how companies are interested in increasing disability inclusion but struggle with how to encourage employees to disclose their disability.

Finn Gardiner, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Autistic People of Color Fund, talks about intersectionality from personal and professional perspectives. He explains why single-identity politics are problematic. It is important to recognize how race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation work together as policies and practices marginalize certain people.

This sixth episode features a conversation with Debra Ruh, CEO, Ruh Global Impact and Executive Chair of Billion Strong. Debra reveals the policies that prevent people with disabilities from seeking employment and the changes that need to happen. Debra also shares insights about the changing perception of corporations when it comes to hiring people with disabilities and how to help organizations identify qualified candidates with disabilities.

This fifth episode features a conversation with Doug Kruse, PhD, Professor at Rutgers University. Doug discusses some of the misconceptions that employers have which prevent them from hiring people with disabilities. He also discusses how telework has benefited workers with disabilities and how to prepare those workers for the future of work.

Rebecca Cokley, U.S. Disability Rights Program Officer for the Ford Foundation joins the program for this fourth episode. Rebecca shares the importance of economic justice for people with disabilities. Rebecca also discusses some of the challenges that young people with disabilities are facing when it comes to employment and what motivates her in her work.

This third episode features an interview with Dr. Nicole Maestas, Associate Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Research Associate in the National Bureau of Economic Research. Discover the impact of the social security system on the economic well-being of people with disabilities. Nicole also shares trends and potential policy solutions.

Taryn Williams, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy for the U.S. Department of Labor, joins the program for this second episode. Taryn shares the Department of Labor's overall vision for a more inclusive workforce and the steps needed to achieve this vision. Discover the holistic view of what policies are needed to advance competitive integrated employment.

In this first episode, Peter Blanck, Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute, joins the program to discuss the history of disability inclusive employment policy, as well as his own background and how he came to his current position. Discover how the changing nature of work and an evolving view of individuals in the workplace has impacted disability inclusive employment policy.

Archive, Bios, Description, Resources and Transcripts for Episode 146: In Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Transforming Disability Employment Services in Rhode Island https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-146/ Barry Whaley and Kiernan O'Donnell discuss the impact of the Olmstead case in Rhode Island, which led to a consent decree in 2014 aimed at transitioning people with disabilities from sheltered workshops to integrated community employment. O'Donnell highlights that 80% of Rhode Island's population with disabilities were in sheltered workshops, earning an average of $2.21 per hour, while only 12% were in integrated employment. The decree aimed to increase inclusive employment and reduce segregation. O'Donnell emphasizes the importance of family involvement, interagency collaboration, and customized employment strategies to achieve meaningful employment and community inclusion.

Archive, Bios, Description, Resources and Transcripts for Episode 145: Boys and Girls Clubs of America Empower Youth With and Without Disabilities https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-145/ Since 1860, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have unlocked the unlimited potential of youth in a safe, inclusive, and engaging setting. Each year these Clubs serve over four million youth from early childhood to age 24. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America programs provide important youth development at critical times outside of the classroom to promote school success, healthy choices, and leadership. Our guest for this episode is Katie Anderson, Director of Youth Programs and Innovation for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Katie describes how the Boys and Girls Clubs offer a welcoming program for young people with disabilities and their families. Katie also shares the importance of programs outside of school time and talks about the barriers like access and cost. She highlights the need for individual evaluations and inclusive practices like their Keystone Conference with sensory calming rooms. Katie also stresses the importance of youth choice and voice in programs together with universal access for all youth.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-144/. Individuals in mental health crisis often cannot make informed choices for themselves. Far too often, law enforcement or first responders must quickly assess a situation and make judgments about keeping the public and the individual in crisis safe and respond quickly to address their needs for mental health treatment. One tool currently being evaluated in California is Psychiatric Advanced Directives, also known as “pads” or P-A-D-S. PADs are used to protect the legal rights of people with mental health conditions. Our host for this episode is Gary Shaheen. Gary is the Director for Mental Health Initiatives at Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. Gary will be speaking with Kiran Sahota, the founder of Concepts Forward Consulting. Kiran and Gary discuss the development and implementation of web-based psychiatric advance directives (PADs) in California. The project, involving seven counties, aims to enhance mental health crisis management by providing individuals with mental health conditions a platform to express their preferences and choices. The digital PADs platform, accessible in multiple languages, addresses issues of accessibility and usability. The project also involves training law enforcement and hospitals on utilizing PADs, which could reduce hospitalization and incarceration. The initiative highlights the importance of systems change and community engagement in mental health care.

Jeff Moyer, a musician and disability rights advocate, discusses his role in the disability rights movement, including the 504 sit-in in San Francisco in 1977, where his song "Hold On" became an anthem. Moyer recounted his experiences at the signing of the ADA in 1990, where he performed "ADA Anthem." He shared his book "Grit," which chronicles his life and contributions. Moyer also mentioned his upcoming book "The Giants and Me," which will feature stories of key figures in the disability rights movement. He emphasized the importance of music in advocacy and the need for continued efforts in disability rights.

Episode 142: The ADA and Employment Rights for Employees with Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders by Southeast ADA Center

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-141/. Dr. Robin Powell, an assistant professor of law at Stetson University and a leading expert on the rights of parents with disabilities, discussed her extensive background in social work, law, and academia. She highlighted the discrimination faced by parents with disabilities, noting that 42 states and D.C. can terminate parental rights based on disability. Powell emphasized the importance of legal representation and resources like the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities and the Disabled Parenting Project. She also discussed the impact of the Dobbs decision on reproductive rights and the need for expanded disability rights to include family and parenting.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-140/. We all love to travel to learn new things, enjoy fun experiences, and make lasting memories. For many of us with disabilities, travel is not easy. We know that leaving home and going somewhere else has its own set of challenges. It can be difficult to visit a theme park or go to a baseball game, even one near our home. Our guest for this episode is Cory Lee, a wheelchair user and self-described “travel addict” who will share with us how and why accessible travel is possible and also fun! He shares his journey, starting with a trip to Walt Disney World at age four and his first international trip to the Bahamas at 15. In 2024, he traveled for 152 nights, working with destinations to promote accessibility. Corey emphasized the importance of early planning, often starting 6-12 months in advance. He highlighted the challenges of air travel and the need for positive attitudes. His website, Curb Free with Corey Lee, features 630 travel guides from 52 countries. He also co-authored a children's book, "Let's Explore with Core Core," to inspire accessible travel.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-139/. How many of us dreamed of running away to join the circus when we were kids? For many of us, the circus was bigger than life. In this episode of ADA Live! we are going to the “big top” to learn how a circus can be made accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. Our guest for this episode is Lisa Lewis, the founder and CEO of Omnium Circus, an inclusive and accessible circus created by and for the whole community, including people with disabilities.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-138/. Barry Whaley and Lisa Tucker discuss how to plan and host the ADA National Symposium, emphasizing the importance of accessibility for people with disabilities. As the Events Manager at the Great Plains ADA Center, Lisa outlines her role in choosing locations, contract management, assisting with the registration from start to finish, and ensuring ADA accommodations for all participants. Barry and Lisa discuss the challenges of making conference presentations accessible and why it is important to ask the right questions during the registration process. Lisa explains why technology like video remote captioning and sign language interpreters are required for accessibility. She also shares resources for accessible event planning and encourages self-advocacy for participants with disabilities.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-137/ This ADA Live episode features Barry Whaley and Troy Balthazor discussing the 2025 ADA National Symposium, which will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ADA. The symposium, hosted by the Great Plains ADA Center, will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 15-18, 2025. The event aims to provide comprehensive training on the ADA, attracting up to 1,200 attendees in person and a significant virtual audience. The symposium includes sessions on various ADA-related topics, a certification track for ADA coordinators, and special events to honor the ADA's 35th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-136/ Barry Whaley and Sally Miracle discuss the rights of children with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Sally, a special education consultant, explains these laws, emphasizing that the ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Section 504 and IDEA also provide civil rights protections and mandate free, appropriate public education. Sally suggests for parents to document concerns, contact school officials, and seek help from Protection and Advocacy groups before filing complaints. She stresses the importance of open communication, understanding Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and teaching students to advocate for themselves. Sally also highlights the need for positive relationships between parents, caregivers, teachers, and school staff

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-135/ Our guest for this episode is Eric Lipp, founder and executive director of Open Doors Organization. The mission of the non-profit Open Doors Organization is to make goods and services accessible to people with disabilities in travel, tourism and transportation. Their goal is to teach businesses how to succeed in the disability market, while simultaneously empowering the disability community. Americans love to travel. Americans spend billions of dollars on leisure travel each year according to the U.S. Travel Association. This travel supports millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic impact when we include food services, lodging, transportation, recreation, amusement, and retail sales. Looking at the disability travel market, Open Doors Organization reported 25.6 million people with disabilities traveled for pleasure or business while spending over 50 billion dollars. In this program we will talk about two laws that affect people with disabilities when they travel. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation including, hotels, restaurants, airports, bus stations and more. The second law is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. However, people with disabilities sometimes file lawsuits or complaints because they believe their rights were violated or they had a poor travel experience.

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-134/ As many as 40% of people with autism are non-speaking — which is more than 30 million worldwide. Yet only a small fraction of non-speakers have been taught how to type to communicate. We will talk with Elizabeth Bonker about her mission to enable non-speaking persons with disabilities to find their voices and how the ADA helped her share her own remarkable story. Elizabeth Bonker is the Executive Director of Communication 4 ALL, a nonprofit with the mission to ensure all non-speakers have access to communication and education. Elizabeth learned to type to communicate when she was five years old, and she entered mainstream public school in first grade. Elizabeth's decade of advocacy work includes a book, “I Am in Here”, and a music album. She has given dozens of published interviews and keynote addresses. Her story has been featured in three documentary films: SPELLERS, Understanding Autism, and In Our Own Hands. She is a 2022 graduate of the Rollins College Honors Program where she majored in social innovation with a minor in English. Her valedictorian commencement speech went viral with 4 billion media impressions, propelling her mission onto a global stage.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-132. State and local governments provide many services, programs, and activities through websites and mobile applications (apps). When these are not accessible, they create barriers for people with disabilities to access government services and programs, like tax information, building permits, or garbage collection payments. Inaccessibility can also keep people with disabilities from joining or fully participating in civic or other community events like town meetings or programs at their child's school. In April 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published a final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This final rule has specific requirements for ensuring that web content and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities. The compliance date for this rule depends on the population size of the public entity. In this episode, we will share information and resources to learn more about the rule's requirements. Our guest is Ruben Mota, ADA Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-132. One of the most important issues for people with disabilities is being able to get the health care they need in their communities. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH): People with disabilities often experience a wide and varying range of health conditions leading to poorer health and shorter lifespan. In addition, discrimination, inequality and exclusionary structural practices, programs and policies [that] inhibit access to timely and comprehensive health care, which further results in poorer health outcomes. (Source: nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-designates-people-disabilities-population-health-disparities) This episode features a project from the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD), who is the Georgia Affiliate of the Southeast ADA Center. Their project will educate nurses and other health professionals on providing equitable and inclusive health care services for people with disabilities.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-131. Each July we celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The United States has come a long way in fulfilling the promise of the ADA since President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990, and said “let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down”. Today, our communities are more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. But there are still many barriers that people with disabilities face daily in communities, work, transportation, school, and civic participation. Some people think only new construction and alterations need to be accessible – that older facilities are “grandfathered in,” and do not have to comply with the ADA. But that's not true. Because the ADA is a civil rights law and not a building code, older facilities are often required to be accessible to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate. The ADA requires that state and local governments (ADA Title II entities) must ensure “program accessibility” and make reasonable modification to policy, practice, and procedure so all citizens can equally participate in the programs and services of their state and local government. Our guest for this episode is Stacey Peace. the State of Georgia ADA Coordinator.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-130.The Southeast ADA Center and the ADA National Network get a lot of questions about workplace accommodations. This includes questions about when and how employees can stay at work or return to work after a disabling illness or injury. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that millions of workers experience an injury that puts them at risk of leaving the workforce. While some injuries are work related, many happen off-the-job. These injuries impact not only workers, but family members, employers, and the economy. Many workers can return to work when the get timely and effective help. The RETAIN project, an initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), seeks to aide injured workers in the recovery process and return to economic self-sufficiency. Our guest for this episode is Kimberly Wickert with RETAIN Kentucky. Kimberly will be talking about the ways the RETAIN demonstration projects help employees and employers, along with other partners, work together so that employees facing illness or injury remain in the workforce.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-129. Each month, the 10 ADA Centers receive hundreds of calls and emails asking for disability-related information and guidance on their legal rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many people ask about their employment rights or about an employer's duty to an employee with a disability. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the EEOC is responsible for enforcement of various employment rights laws. The EEOC handles complaints of employment discrimination that are based on issues such as a person's disability, age, gender, race, or religion. In this episode, we will focus on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and employment discrimination against people with disabilities.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-128. It's April and in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, we will talk about the rights autistic people have under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many people who are autistic or are neurodivergent have difficulty with social situations and personal interactions. We will also offer strategies for coping with workplace and community barriers. Our guest for this episode is Stacey Hoaglund, the President of the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Florida.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-127. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, when we raise awareness and promote acceptance of people with developmental disabilities. In thinking about the barriers faced by people with developmental disabilities and their families, it can be hard to find up-to-date information on the quality services and programs you need to live independently in the community. One important resource for this information is the state Developmental Disabilities Councils, often called “DD Councils.” Our guest for this episode of ADA Live! is Johnny Callebs, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-126/. Synergies Work is the largest non-profit in the United States that enables entrepreneurs with disabilities to build sustainable micro-enterprises. They provide end-to-end business solutions and bridge the opportunity gaps between the disability and the business communities. Synergies Work believes that empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities can create a more inclusive society and a better world for all. Synergies Work is a personal mission of its founder, Aarti Sahgal. Her vision stems from her life experiences as a parent of a young adult with Down syndrome, who constantly challenges the bias of low expectations that excludes people with disabilities from living their true potential. In this episode of ADA Live! Aarti talks about the organization she founded, Synergies Work, and her personal mission to create inclusive communities and workforce strategies for people with disabilities.

More information, transcripts, bios, and resources available at adalive.org/episodes/episode-125/. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), a significant number of individuals with disabilities spend their day receiving public services in sheltered workshops and facility-based day programs. In a report titled, Beyond Segregated and Exploited, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) estimates that over 400,000 people are sent to sheltered workshops where they earn less than the federal minimum wage. This environment results in stigmatization and a lack of economic independence. These settings segregate individuals from the community and provide little or no opportunity to interact with people without disabilities, other than paid staff. The Department of Justice implements the “integration mandate” of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires public entities to “administer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.”  The ADA's “integration mandate” makes clear that public entities must provide reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination. On October 31, 2023, the DOJ issued guidance that the “integration mandate” applies to sheltered workshops and day centers, putting them in violation of the ADA and the Olmstead decision. In this episode we will discuss the most recent guidance on the ADA's “integration mandate” and the Olmstead decision and its application to employment and day services for people with disabilities. Our guest is Julie Kegley, Staff Attorney & Program Director - Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO).

More information, resources, and transcript visit: adalive.org/episodes/episode-124/ Each year the United Nations recognizes December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year's theme is “United in action to rescue and achieve the sustainable development goals for with and by people with disabilities.” Social Media Tags: #IDPD #DisabilityDay We are honored to have as our guest today Gertrude or “Getty” Oforiwa Fefoame. Getty is Chair of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which sets out the fundamental human rights of people with disabilities all over the world. Getty also works as the Global Advocacy Manager for Social Inclusion for Sightsavers, a global nonprofit organization that works in more than 30 countries to prevent blindness and fight for the rights of people with disabilities. In this episode we discuss the work and mission of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and highlight some of the important issues facing people with disabilities around the world.

More information, transcripts, and resources available at: https://section504at50.org/episodes/paul-grossman/ For over 30 years, Paul Grossman served as the Chief Regional Attorney for the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in San Francisco. In Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, Paul has worked on every type of education discrimination matter under Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA, including securing equal access and academic accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education. For nearly 20 years, Paul also had lead responsibility for internal disability law training for OCR and continues to provide training services for OCR. In this episode, Paul talks about Disability law and its development, the Disability Rights Movement and the 504 occupation of the San Francisco Federal Building at the United Nations Plaza, and closes with future challenges in the disability rights field.

More information, resources, and transcript visit: https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-123/ According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, occurs when we are exposed to a traumatic event. About half of U.S. adults will experience a traumatic event in our lifetimes. Although some people will experience PTSD, most who go through a traumatic event will not develop PTSD. On this episode of ADA Live! we discuss how people with disabilities can be affected by traumatic events or experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person and the effects can be delayed. People who have PTSD may meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of a disability by having an impairment or condition that impacts one or more major life activities. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Farris Tuma, a Health Scientist Administrator with the National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH, in Bethesda, Maryland. He is the NIMH point of contact for research on violence and trauma. His formal training is in public health as a research scientist, and he holds a master's degree in health policy and management. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to mental health research. Through basic and clinical research, NIMH aims to prevent and cure mental illnesses, improving the lives of millions of individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. ** Note: Because these traumatic events or experiences and PTSD can be difficult to talk about, the information we discuss in this episode may be disturbing for some listeners. **

En celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, reconocemos las contribuciones y la rica influencia de los hispanoamericanos a la historia, la cultura y los logros de los Estados Unidos. La comunidad hispana de personas con discapacidades tiene un papel importante que desempeñar en esta celebración. El Centro del Sureste de la ADA y los otros nueve centros informan a las personas sobre sus derechos y responsabilidades en virtud de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés) y otras leyes sobre los derechos de las personas con discapacidades. Hace unos tres años, la Red Nacional de la ADA creó un Comité de Alcance Multicultural para proporcionar información y orientación a los grupos desatendidos. En este episodio, discutimos cómo la Red Nacional de la ADA y su Comité de Alcance Multicultural educan a la comunidad hispana de discapacitados sobre sus derechos bajo la ADA. También explicaremos el propósito del comité y los proyectos y programas que han desarrollado para apoyar la independencia, la participación comunitaria y el empleo de las personas hispanas con discapacidades. Nuestro invitado es Oscar González, del Centro de Traducción de Conocimientos de la Red Nacional de la ADA de la Universidad de Illinois-Chicago. Oscar es el Coordinador del Programa de Extensión del Idioma Español para la Red Nacional de la ADA. Angelica Deaton, coordinadora de la oficina y asistente de investigación en el Centro ADA del Sureste, es nuestra anfitriona y moderadora de este episodio. Este episodio que celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana estará disponible en inglés y español. Puede acceder a todos los programas de ADA Live! episodios con audio archivado, transcripciones accesibles y recursos en nuestro sitio web en ADAlive.org.

More information, transcripts, and resources available at: https://section504at50.org/episodes/katherine-macfarlane/ Professor Macfarlane is a leading expert on civil procedure, civil rights litigation, and disability law. She has also served as the Special Counsel to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, working on the overhaul of regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, focusing on the regulations' higher education provisions. Professor Macfarlane will also talk about her experiences as a child with a disability and how they shaped her life and work as a disability rights advocate, student, lawyer, author, professor, and policymaker.

For more information, bios, transcripts, and resources visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-121/ September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC: “Suicide rates increased about 36% from 2000 to 2021. Suicide resulted in 48,183 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In 2021 about 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide and 1.7 million attempted suicide. “ (Source: cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html) Our guests for this ADA Live! episode are Rachelle Burns, Chair of the EscaRosa Suicide Prevention Coalition in Santa Rosa County, Florida, and Lauren Anzaldo, a member of the EscaRosa Suicide Prevention Coalition Veterans Support Team. They will share about suicide prevention and awareness and how we can help those in need of support, including at-risk populations such as military veterans and youth. Join us for this honest discussion on a difficult topic.

For more information, bios, transcripts, and resources visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-120/ Did you know that the federal government is America's largest employer? According to information published in May 2023 by the General Services Administration: “More than 4 million Americans—including more than 2.1 million Federal civilian employees—work for our Federal Government, both at home and overseas.” (Source: Strengthening and Empowering the Federal Workforce.) In this episode of ADA Live! we discuss the Schedule A hiring Authority, a program the federal government has in place to recruit and hire employees with disabilities. This program allows federal agencies to hire qualified employees with disabilities without requiring them to go through a long hiring process. Schedule A hiring applies to all federal jobs. This episode includes information and resources for workers with disabilities, Federal employers, and employment service providers.  Our guests for this episode, Laura Taylor, Affirmative Employment Program Specialist, and Sandy Williams, Supervisory Human Resources Specialist, are with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Laura and Sandy will explain how the Schedule A program helps qualified workers with disabilities find jobs with the federal government.