ADA

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ADA and Other Disability Legislation What the ADA is: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most comprehensive federal civil-rights statute protecting the rights of people with disabilities http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm There are 5 titles of the ADA: Title I covers employment. Title II Part A covers public entities: state and local government. Title II Part B covers public transportation provided by public entities. Title III covers private entities: public accommodations, commercial facilities, examinations and courses related to licensing or certification, and transportation provided to the public by private entities. Title IV covers telecommunications. Title V contains miscellaneous provisions. Search the ADA Website Use this link to search for Department of Justice ADA publications and information including ADA requirements (title II and title III regulations), ADA design standards for new construction and alterations, ADA Status Reports, featured ADA settlements and consent agreements, ADA Technical Assistance materials, and new or proposed regulations. Great Lakes ADA Center ADA WATCH! - A campaign to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities! Timeline of Important Disability Related Legislation 1970 - Urban Mass Transit Act - requites lifts on buses. 1973 - The Rehabilitation Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving federal funding, in federal employment and in employment practices of federal contractors. http://www.edlaw.net/service/504parta.html This act as amended has 7 titles. I Vocational Rehabilitation Services -This title has sections addressing funding of vocational rehabilitation and the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. II Research and Training - Establishes the National Institute on Disability Related Research, along with grants for research and training. III Special Federal Responsibilities - authorizes grants for construction of rehabilitation facilities and funds for staffing and planning assistance. IV National Council on Disability - This council has many responsibilities including holding public hearings on important issues and making reports to Congress. V Miscellaneous Provisions - This title has sections dealing with a variety of issues regarding the lives of people with disabilities. Section 501 deals with employment in the federal government. Section 502 establishes the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Section 503 deals with the requirements of equal employment under federal contracts. Section 504 provides for non-discrimination for people with disabilities by any recipient of federal funds. VI Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Handicaps Establishes Community Service Employment Programs for Individuals with Handicaps, Projects with Industry and Business Opportunities for Individuals with Handicaps, and Supported Employment Services for Individuals with Severe Handicaps. VII Comprehensive Services for Independent Living - Establishes federal funding for Centers for Independent Living. November 29, 1975 - The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) - now called The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - Designed to ensure that all children with disabilities receive proper educational opportunities. http://www.scn.org/~bk269/94-142.html All students from birth to age 21 have the right to a free and appropriate public education regardless of the type or severity of their disabilities. Students are entitled to receive the education support services that they need, including physical therapy, speech and language services, and reading services. Schools must develop an 'individual education plan' (IEP) for each child. A team (usually consisting of the teacher, parent, child, and sometimes an agency representative) develops IEP's. Education must be in the least restrictive setting possible. 1984 - Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act - requites poling places to be accessible or provide an alternate way to vote. http://www.access-board.gov/enforcement/voting%20rights.htm 1986 - The Air Carrier Access Act - prohibits discrimination in air travel. Requirements include things like boarding assistance and accessibility requirements for new aircraft. http://www.epva.org/Disability_Issues/airaccess.html - http://www.dot.gov/ost/ogc/subject/consumer/aviation/publications 1988 - Fair Housing Act was amended. It prohibits discrimination in private housing, federal housing and state and local government housing. http://www.fairhousing.com August 19, 1988 Tech Act - Designed to assist the development and availability of technological aids for the disabled. - http://at-advocacy.phillynews.com/data/tech_act.html - http://www.handinet.org/tech_act.htm July 26,1990 - ADA President George Bush signed the ADA on July 26, 1990. This act gives civil rights protections to people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/ada.html October 15, 1990 Television Decoders Act (closed captioning) - Required built-in decoder circuitry in most new television receivers. http://www.captions.org/caplaw.cfm 1996 - Telecommunications Act - This requires manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to make the equipment and services accessible. The products and services include things like cell phones, pagers, call-waiting and operator services. http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html May 5, 1997 Section 504 Rights of Rehab Act of '73- Amendment emphasized state vocational rehabilitation programs and workforce investment activities. http://www.senate.gov/~labor/vr/tocvr.htm 1998 Rehab Act Amendment, Section 508 - Strengthened section 508 requiring access to electronic and information technology provided by the Federal government. - http://www.access-board.gov/about/RehabActAmend-508.htm - http://www.section508.gov/