The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $343 million in federal funding to help eight transit systems make their rail stations more accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The upgrades will include installing elevators, making platforms for level boarding, improving signage, and improving visual and audio systems. … Continued
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights have a new webinar on YouTube, Accessible Public Schools. It covers ways school districts can increase accessibility of their school buildings and facilities for students and teachers with disabilities. The Justice Department worked with the Department of Education to develop … Continued
The U.S. Access Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Association of People with Disabilities and the Center for Democracy & Technology to make sure the disability community is involved in activities related to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI can increase accessibility, but it can also create barriers for people with disabilities. The … Continued
On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This final rule has requirements about how to make sure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities. The new Small Entity Compliance … Continued
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) published a special edition of its News Brief. It talks about the many resources the U.S. Department of Labor has to help employers, workers, service providers, and policymakers learn about and take action on workforce mental health and well-being. To learn … Continued
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking for comments on the service animal forms airlines may require passengers to complete before traveling. It is asking for comments on renewing the Relief Attestation Form and on changes to the Air Transportation Form. Comments may also be made on ways to improve the quality and use … Continued
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) has a new web page, Mental Health and Marginalized Communities. It provides information about supporting the mental health of workers who are members of marginalized communities and provides action steps for employers. These steps include: Build trust and make sure there is privacy and confidentiality … Continued
The National Park Service is dedicated to accessibility, offering resources for visitors and employees with disabilities. Each park’s website features an accessibility section for trip planning. Plus, the Access Pass provides lifetime access to 2,000+ federal recreation sites. Learn about the Access Pass. Check out the National Park Service Accessibility Website.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has new guidance to help prevent harassment in the workplace, “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace.” It covers legal standards and employer’s responsibilities concerning harassment claims under the federal employment discrimination laws that the EEOC enforces. The guidance will help people feel safer on the job and … Continued
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a new final rule that applies to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act — which doesn’t allow discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. The final rule improves civil rights protections for people who use health programs and services funded … Continued