News & Events

  1. Success Stories from the Workforce Recruitment Program

    The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with college students and recent graduates with disabilities looking for jobs. Read the stories of six federal employees who found their path to government service through WRP and were profiled by its "I Am the Workforce" Photo Project. These stories show the broad cross section of skills and talents available to employers who choose to hire through WRP.

    Posted: 09/15/12 to Employment
  2. Justice Department Signs Agreement with Schuylkill County, PA to Improve Access to Public Areas for People with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Justice has signed an agreement with Schuylkill County, PA to make sure that people with disabilities have full access to all aspects of community life. The agreement is part of Project Civic Access, the department's effort to make sure that public facilities are accessible in counties, cities, towns and villages comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Access to public facilities includes access to parking, public bathrooms, entrances into buildings and food service areas.

    Posted: 09/15/12 to Community Life
  3. Agreement Reached with Portland Police on Practice of Using Excessive Force against People with Mental Illness

    The U.S. Department of Justice and the city of Portland, OR have reached a preliminary agreement to improve Portland Police Bureau practices when interacting with people with mental illness. An investigation found that the PPB has engaged in excessive force against people who have, or are believed to have, mental illness. The agreement will address policies on the "use of force" to make sure that officers have guidance when encountering someone with mental illness, particularly in the use of tasers. Crisis intervention training for officers will also be increased.

    Posted: 09/15/12 to Civil Rights
  4. Settlement Reached with Bank of America over Alleged Discrimination against Loan Applicants Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

    Bank of America N.A. has been charged with violating the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act for discriminating against home loan applicants who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The bank asked applicants to provide details of their medical conditions and required a letter from their doctor documenting the income they received from SSDI. The bank has also agreed to revise its policies on documenting disability income, hold employee trainings and pay monies to the loan applicants who were affected by the alleged misconduct.

    Posted: 09/14/12 to Civil Rights
  5. HIV Patient Assistance Program Speeds Up Application Process for Medication

    The Common Patient Assistance Program Application is now up and running. This application allows uninsured people living with HIV to use one application to apply for several assistance programs that provide antiretroviral therapy. Patient Assistance Programs provide free or discounted medication to eligible patients who cannot afford it themselves.

    Posted: 09/14/12 to Health
  6. Justice Department Settles with Pennsylvania School for Not Enrolling Child with HIV

    The U.S. Department of Justice and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania have reached a $715,000 settlement agreement with the Milton Hershey School of Hershey, PA, to resolve alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The school refused to enroll a child because he has HIV. The school has agreed to change its disability discrimination policy and to provide training to its staff on the ADA.

    Posted: 09/14/12 to Civil Rights
  7. U.S. Access Board to Hold Public Meetings on Bus Accessibility - September 19 & October 2

    The U.S. Access Board will hold public information meetings to gather information on bus accessibility as part of its update of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles. The meetings will focus on the usability of recent bus designs that have portions of ramps remaining inside the vehicle to reduce their exterior projection. The first meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on September 19, 2012 in Washington, D.C. A second meeting will be held 2:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on October 2, 2012 in Seattle, WA. The Board also will be accepting written comments on this subject until October 31, 2012.  

    Posted: 09/14/12 to Community Life
  8. Apply to Serve on National Youth Leadership (NYLN) Governing Board - Deadline September 17

    NYLN is now accepting applications for its Governing Board. Board members must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 14 and 28, have a disability and believe in full-inclusion. Find out more about what Board members do by joining an informational call on September 10. Applications should be postmarked no later than September 17, 2012.

    Posted: 09/13/12 to Community Life
  9. U.S. Court of Appeals Reverses Dismissal of Disability Discrimination Lawsuit against United Airlines

    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has reversed the dismissal of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) disability discrimination lawsuit against United Airlines, Inc. The court now agrees that "reasonable accommodation" under the Americans with Disabilities Act includes reassignment to a vacant job when employees cannot be accommodated in their current position. The EEOC had charged United with violating the ADA by requiring its employees with disabilities to compete for vacant jobs in the company.

    Posted: 09/13/12 to Civil Rights
  10. Direct Marketing Company Settles Lawsuit for Refusing to Provide Job Accommodation for Employee Who is Deaf

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged Miles Kimball Company in Wisconsin with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. An employee who is deaf was denied her requested reasonable accommodation for a sign language interpreter and then fired. The company has agreed to provide training to its employees about disability discrimination.

    Posted: 09/13/12 to Civil Rights
  11. New Grants Will Help Seniors & People with Disabilities Stay Independent

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $12.5 million in awards to Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) that provide information and referrals about long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities. ADRCs in every state help people, regardless of their income or financial assets, live independently in their own homes and communities.

    Posted: 09/13/12 to Community Life
  12. EEOC Sues Health Services Company for Firing Employee Who Had Stroke-Like Symptoms

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged Dependable Health Services, Inc. in Texas with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The company fired an employee after she had a Bell's palsy attack because it was concerned that she might have another one on the job. Firing an individual because of a disability or a misperception about a disability's effects violates the ADA.

    Posted: 09/12/12 to Civil Rights
  13. New Survey Shows Need for More Public Education about Learning Disabilities

    The National Center for Learning Disabilities collected data from adults in the United States using an online survey in August 2012. This survey showed that there is a need for more education about the causes and treatments for learning disabilities, and a better understanding of workplace rights for people with learning disabilities. Over half of the respondents (55%) wrongly believe that corrective eyewear can treat certain learning disabilities.

    Posted: 09/12/12 to Education
  14. Education Department Awards $9.8 Million for Centers for Parents of Students with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced the award of more than $9.8 million in grants to 16 states to operate 25 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIC) for parents of students with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTIC that helps parents understand the services that their children are entitled to under the law. Find a parent center in your state.

    Posted: 09/12/12 to Education
  15. Labor Department Awards New Grant to Run National Center for Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment

    The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1.1 million grant to the Institute for Educational Leadership to run the new National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment. The center will work to improve employment and postsecondary education opportunities for youth with disabilities. The Center's work will focus on career exploration; youth development and leadership; and professional development.

    Posted: 09/11/12 to Employment
  16. Florida Violating ADA Integration Mandate by Placing Children with Disabilities in Nursing Homes

    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a Findings Letter to Florida after finding that hundreds of children with disabilities are currently segregated in nursing facilities throughout the state, a violation of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Instead of providing medical services and supports that would let them live at home, the children are growing up apart from their families in hospital-like settings, among elderly nursing facility residents and other individuals with disabilities. 

    Posted: 09/10/12 to Civil Rights
  17. Justice Department to Intervene against Law School Admissions Council to Protect Rights of Individuals with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Justice plans to intervene in a class action lawsuit against the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The LSAC is charged with improperly handling requests for testing accommodations by people with disabilities for the Law School Admission Test. The department also claims that LSAC discriminates against prospective law students with disabilities by "flagging" test scores that identify the test taker as a person with a disability.

    Posted: 09/10/12 to Civil Rights
  18. Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases August Employment Numbers

    The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the total number of unemployed persons (12.5 million) was little changed, while the unemployment rate (8.1 percent) has edged down in August. Disability employment statistics for August show an unemployment rate of 13.9 percent (compared to 16.1 percent a year ago) for people with disabilities. The percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 20.9 percent, while the percentage of people with no disability in the labor force was 69.4 percent.

    Posted: 09/07/12 to Employment
  19. Webinar on Connection between Family Medical Leave Act & ADA - September 27

    On September 27, 2012, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a webinar will be held to explain the connection between the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). It will highlight the important responsibilities of employers, managers and employees in navigating the legal issues regarding medical leave and accommodations requests. Case studies and best practices for managing the challenges will be discussed. Register online.

    Posted: 09/06/12 to Employment
  20. Home Depot Settles Lawsuit for Failing to Provide Accommodation for Employee with Cancer

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged Home Depot, U.S.A., Inc. with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The company failed to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee with cancer at its Towson, MD store and then fired her because of her condition. The home improvement retailer has agreed to change its reasonable accommodation policy.

    Posted: 09/06/12 to Civil Rights
  21. Automotive Parts Company to Settle Lawsuit for Illegal Medical Exams & Work Policies

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged Michigan-based Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The company tested all of its Lawrenceburg, TN employees for 12 substances, including legally prescribed drugs. Dura required those employees who tested positive for legally prescribed medications to reveal their medical conditions. The company also required the employees to stop taking their medications to stay employed. Dura has agreed to change its workplace policies and comply with the ADA.

    Posted: 09/05/12 to Civil Rights
  22. FEMA Kicks Off Ninth Annual National Preparedness Month

    September is National Preparedness Month. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leads this annual effort through its Ready Campaign, in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Ad Council. FEMA asks all Americans to make the pledge to prepare this month. Learn more about creating a family emergency plan, emergency kits and supplies and planning for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

    Posted: 09/04/12 to Emergency Preparedness
  23. National Disability Institute's Financial Wellness Series Begins September 5

    The National Disability Institute will present a webinar series featuring six, free 90-minute online programs. Each webinar will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on select Wednesdays starting in September and continue each month through December 2012. The series will address financial, tax and public benefits for people living with multiple sclerosis, their families and caregivers. However, the topics would be of interest to all people with disabilities. The first webinar, Being Money Smart, will be held on September 5, 2012 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Register online for each webinar.

    Posted: 09/04/12 to Community Life
  24. Labor Department Announces Winners of Disability Employment Application Challenge

    The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the winners of its disability employment application contest. The contest challenged developers to build tools to help improve job opportunities for people with disabilities using public resources and employment data. Three winners were chosen for developing applications that demonstrated innovation, usability and accessibility. Check out the three winning apps: "Access Jobs", "VoisPal-Speak as You Think!" and "AccDC: Accelerated Dynamic Content".

    Posted: 09/04/12 to Employment
  25. HUD Orders Landlord to Pay $34,000 for Discriminating against Man with Autism & His Sister

    A West Virginia landlord required a woman and her brother, who has autism, to buy a $1 million insurance policy before renting them an apartment to cover any damages or injuries that her brother might cause. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found the landlord in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and ordered him to pay damages and civil penalties. Under the FHA it is against the law to deny housing or impose different rental terms and conditions based on disability, race, national origin, color, religion, sex, or familial status.

    Posted: 09/03/12 to Housing