Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota recently launched programs for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their  benefits). Iowa's program is called "IAble," Minnesota's is called "Minnesota ABLE Plan," and it's known as "Illinois ABLE" in Illinois.  Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life.  All three programs are open to residents nationwide.

Read about these programs

Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum Accepting Applications

The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a week-long leadership training and career awareness program for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with disabilities.  It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness to approximately 25 students with disabilities from throughout the state of Wisconsin. YLF is a project of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Recently, the  Department of Health Services (DHS) announced  the expansion of Family Care services in six northern Wisconsin counties including Oneida, Vilas, Florence, Forest, Taylor and Adams. This  will provide many people access to long-term care  services for the first time.  DHS plans to expand Family Care ad IRIS statewide in the first quarter of 2018.

Read full press release

Recently,  the Food and Nutrition Service published a final rule regarding various aspects related to, among other things, eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families (including those with disabilities) and provides economic benefits to communities.  Since SNAP is federally funded, this rule confirms that ABLE funds won't compromise eligible people from accessing benefits under the SNAP program.

Read more

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) did a study of the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) test that was done in September 2016. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the EAS in 1997 for an easy way to alert the public of local and national emergencies. Wireless RERC's study finds that there is inconsistent implementation of the EAS nationwide, which results in inaccessibility to people with disabilities. The Wireless RERC made recommendations that would improve accessibility, like slower scrolling announcement text, uniformity of presentation, and muting of the regularly scheduled television program.

Read full report

Google developers have spent time gathering information regarding accessibility for public places like restaurants in order to add the information to Google Maps. When you search for a restaurant on Google Maps, general information like the hours of operation, reviews, and the restaurant's website are included in the entry. Now, the entries will also show information on accessibility, such as whether the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

Read more

Several disability rights scholars have joined together to form The Tangata Group, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting disability rights. The group's name is from the Maori language; "tangata"  means "the essence of being human." The founders hope to consult on domestic and international human and disability rights issues, including matters involving the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accessibility issues.

Learn more about this group

After receiving the largest number of complaints in the area of disability air travel, the US Department of Transportation recently released new training material for airlines and passengers.  The DOT worked with disability organizations, airlines, and airports to develop the material.  The material reinforces implementation of the Air Carrier Access Act which prohibits airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities.  It addresses four main areas which include:

1. Wheelchair and guide assistance
2. Stowage, loss, delay, and damage of wheelchairs and other equipment
3. Aircraft seating accommodations
4. Travel with service animals

Read more

Announcement from the Great Lakes ADA Center: National ADA Symposium Registration Stipend Application

We are pleased to announce that the ADA National Network is hosting the 21st annual ADA National Symposium on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability issues.

About the Symposium

The Symposium will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois from May 14th to May 17th, 2017.

The ADA Symposium includes up to date information regarding employment, communication, transportation, emergency preparedness, case law, regulatory updates for government and private entities and the latest on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Hear from presenters representing various federal agencies including the Departments of Justice, Education, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Access Board. This year there are break-out sessions on a wide-range of ADA related topics and online access to hand-outs from all sessions prior to the conference. You can view the Symposium schedule and agenda on-line.

Stipend to Attend

The Great Lakes Center will continue our history of supporting participation and attendance from across our six state region. To that end, we are making available a number of stipends in the amount of $750.00 to cover the cost of registration (we will not pay late registration fees). The conference is very popular and registration numbers have imploded over the past few years resulting in cut off of registration before the deadline due to it being full. Thus, it's very important that individuals desiring to attend register for the conference in a timely manner.

Applications will only be accepted from individuals who reside in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI). This stipend is only valid for the 2017 Symposium and registration should be completed as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted through January 27th, 2017.

Notification to recipients will be made by email within the first week of February. Individuals will be responsible for completing the registration process in a timely manner. The sooner you register, the better chance you have of getting the sessions that you want as well as reduce the risk of the registration closing due to being full. Individuals who fail to register in a timely manner will forfeit the stipend. Receipt of the stipend does not guarantee registration. The registration process for the National symposium is a first come, first serve process and our office does not have control over it.

Questions regarding the Symposium and the stipend program should be directed to the Great Lakes Center at 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm Central Time or by email to adata@adagreatlakes.org.

Stipend recipients are responsible for their own travel arrangements and travel costs. The registration fee includes 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches plus a networking reception. The 2017 Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, IL. Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $159.00 plus tax. Hotel information can be found on the Symposium Website or by calling (847) 696-1234.