An interesting blog on the Disability.gov blog site written by Marian Vessels about accessibility. She makes several valid points about how even though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has significantly helped, the US still has a ways to go.

Hospitality, Accessibility and the ADA

By Marian Vessel, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Eating out. We Americans love to eat out! We enjoy having someone else cook for us, exploring different cuisines, sharing a congenial meal with family and friends or enjoying the ease of a quick meal. It seems that even the smallest of towns has a caf, coffee shop or restaurant where folks go to eat, but often more importantly, socialize.

Travel. Americans also are known to travel for work, pleasure or family events. We enjoy seeing new sights, experiencing adventures, traveling for business or to celebrate, mourn or connect with family and friends. These activities often require one or more nights in a rented room. Staying in a hotel, motel or other lodging is a staple for many of those who travel.

Over the last quarter century, diners and travelers with disabilities have benefited from substantial improvements in their ability to enjoy these venues since theAmericans with Disabilities Act(ADA) became law and continues to be woven into the fabric of American life.

We are now eagerly anticipating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA. This is a monumental step for the civil rights of those with disabilities. President George H.W. Bush stated at the signing of the ADA on July 26, 1990, Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down. Unfortunately, we are still a long way from full inclusion in the hospitality industry. Many owners, operators and staff are still not aware of the broad requirements of the ADA and their application. Simple features such as accessible parking, a clear path of travel from parking areas or the street to entryways, accessible entrances, accessible lower front counters and clear routes through main areas of properties are often not provided or maintained. Concerns by front-line staff about how to interact with a person with a disability are as prevalent now as they were twenty-four years ago.

I love to eat out and enjoy travel for pleasure, work and for family events. I am also a diner, a traveler and a family member who has used a wheelchair for the last 40 years. I have seen significant changes since the signing of the ADA. I sometimes forget to call ahead to ensure that an unknown restaurant will accommodate me independently. I presume that my hotel room is truly accessible and will accommodate my needs. I assume that I will be treated with dignity and respect by hotel and restaurant staff. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Waiters still address my dining companions, asking for my dinner selection (instead of asking me directly) and many hotel rooms still do not allow me to move around, change the temperature or open the drapes independently.

There remains a great need in the industry to be more knowledgeable about the provisions of the ADA and provide inclusive customer service for their patrons with disabilities. TheADA National Network(ADANN) recognized this need and developedADAhospitality.org, a website dedicated to providing the hospitality industry with information, resources and training on the application of the ADA.ADAhospitality.orghas free downloadable staff ADA training materials, facts sheets and a myriad of other resources. ADANN, a network of 10 regional centers, can also provide customized, confidential information on the application of the ADA via a toll free phone line: 800-949-4ADA (4232).

The demands of a growing disability community (over 54 million in 2012) and an aging affluent baby boomer population (an estimated 84 million persons 55 years and older in 2010) requires the industry to be ready and willing to meet their needs. Find out how the ADA applies to your business, to you as person with a disability, or as a concerned individual. Review resources, tax credits and deductions and other materials to become more knowledgeable. YOU can make a difference in ensuring that all who dine or use lodging facilities are included. When restaurants and hotels welcome guests with disabilities, they are welcoming not only those individuals, but their families, friends and colleagues who dine and travel with them. Implementing the provisions of the ADA is a great business decision for all!

Marian Vessels is the Director of theMid-Atlantic ADA Center, a project of TransCen Inc. Serving in this role since 1996, she has been the liaison with entities and disability coalitions in the six-state Mid-Atlantic region (D.C., Del., Md., Penn., Va. and W.V.). The Center is one of 10 regional centers comprising the ADA National Network, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, providing information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Among her primary areas of expertise are training and guidance on the ADA as it relates to employment, state and local government and hospitality.

Source:http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2014/10/23/hospitality-accessibility-and-the-ada/

An inspiring article in theStevens Point Journal about a man who was recognized for looking beyond his disability. This incredible man works hard to look past challenges and does what he can to give back by encouraging others. This is a very inspirational article.

Stevens Point man honored as Difference-Maker

Stevens Point Journal Media

STEVENS POINT The 2014 Easter Seals Wisconsin Difference-Makers recently were honored at a recognition dinner in Madison. These individuals, groups and businesses have inspired others and made outstanding contributions to the disability community statewide and to Easter Seals Wisconsin throughout the years.

This years recipient for Recognition of Personal Growth and Development is Matt Kluender of Stevens Point.

Recognition of Personal Growth & Development is an honor given to an individual who looks beyond his or her disability to see potential and meets challenges head on. Kluender seems to only see possibilities, working hard to look past obstacles; he does what he can to give back and to encourage and empower others.

Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps, located in Wisconsin Dells, is ever grateful to Kluender, his family and friends for the time and money they have dedicated to helping other children and adults look beyond their disabilities and reach their goals.

Kluender set a goal for himself early on in his life to hike across America in his wheelchair. After months of preparation, Kluender and his uncle Don set out in June 2012 to Long Beach, Calif. After 800 miles, in Cameron, Mo., his equipment trailer, holding everything he needed for this trip, was struck by a car and destroyed.

Even with his journey coming to an abrupt end, Kluender is not discouraged and plans to set out for California once again in the next year. In the meantime, he has spent his time inspiring others to dream big.

Source: http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/life/2014/10/29/stevens-point-man-honored-difference-maker/18120405/

A great article on Fox6Now.com written by Katie Delong about a proposal passed in Milwaukee County allowing seniors and people with disabilities to ride the bus free of charge beginning in April.

Seniors, persons with disabilities can ride the bus for free in Milwaukee starting inApril

By Katie Delong

MILWAUKEE (WITI) Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is applaudingcommittee passage of a proposal that will allow seniors and persons with disabilities to ride Milwaukee County Transit System buses for free starting April 1st. The budget amendment also extends transit service to growing job centers in Oak Creek and Brown Deer.

GO, or Growing Opportunities passes will allow seniors and persons with disabilities to ride the bus for free.

The time is now to take the largest transit system in the state to the next level, Dimitrijevic said. In 2015, our riders will be using smart cards to travel throughout and outside of Milwaukee County. Our county is growing and we need to grow opportunities to match it. Under our proposal seniors and persons with disabilities will ride for free with the GO pass while we add new services to important job centers.

The status quo of freezing fares that are some of the highest in the region, while the disconnect to growing job centers remains, simply isnt good enough, Dimitrijevic added. We know that a healthy public transit system fuels Milwaukee County, Wisconsins economic engine. I rode the bus to each of the 19 municipalities and heard from riders trying to access jobs and remain independent. Now is the time for action and progress in our county.

She said that other metro areas, including Chicago; Pittsburgh; Jacksonville, Florida; Pittsburgh; and Providence, RI already offer free bus rides for seniors and low-income people with disabilities.

Nino Amato, President of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, wrote: Public transportation also provides freedom and independence to seniors and people with disabilities, so they can stay connected with family, friends and the community. Moreover, public transit is a local economic development tool for our communities. Seniors and persons with disabilities are major contributors to the local economies in Milwaukee County.

Supervisor Patricia Jursik cited the importance of transit to all residents of Milwaukee County, and she said the County must constantly work to improve it.

The new transit service to the south shore will go through the MATC Campus through Howell Avenue and the business park along 6th Street to new development along Drexel Avenue, Jursik said. The extension will provide service to new areas of commerce. We need to make sure we are connecting riders to growing job centers across our county.

Source: http://fox6now.com/2014/10/29/seniors-persons-with-disabilities-can-ride-the-bus-for-free-in-milwaukee-starting-in-april/

Voting is a constitutional right and responsibility of citizenship. It is an important way to help select the national, state and local officials who make laws, design programs and decide how tax dollars are spent. For information on voting in Wisconsin for individuals with disabilities, download a copy of the manualDisability Vote Guide 2014.

Drafted by the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition.

An interesting article in The Guardianwritten by Ian Loynes about how giving people with disabilities choices and control are key. He points out that isolation and institutional care have become unacceptable in most cases. Some of the points he makes are interesting to ponder.

Choice and control are still key for people with disabilities

By Ian Loynes

The challenge now is to find new and creative ways to deliver care and support30 years of independent living for people with disabilities

The past 30 years have seen a remarkable journey for a simple but powerful idea: that disabled people should have choice and control over their support to enable them to live as full and active members of their communities.

This is a very interesting article posted on the National Low Income Housing Coalition website about the history of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other Acts that have been passed since to help people with disabilities. It's interesting to read about the different revisions that have been made over the years.

40 Years Ago: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Passed

The Rehabilitation Act, introduced as H.R. 8070 by Representative John Brandemas (D-IN) and S. 1875 by Senator Randolph Jennings (D-WV), was signed by President Richard Nixon on September 26, 1973. The Rehabilitation Act provides protections and services for people with disabilities.

The Rehabilitation Act extended civil rights to people with disabilities through its Section 504:

no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the U.S. shall solely by reason of her or his disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Section 504 applies to all federal agencies, federally funded projects, schools from kindergarten through the 12thgrade, state colleges, universities, and vocational training programs.

The Act established the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (later the Department of Health and Human Services). Today, the Department of Education administers the Act. RSA oversees the Title I formula grant program that provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation agencies that in turn provide employment-related services to individuals with physical and mental disabilities

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 attempted to address some of the societal barriers encountered by people with disabilities. For example, people with disabilities were often isolated from society by placement in institutions. People with disabilities contended with limited access to buildings and facilities due to physical barriers. In addition, schools were allowed to refuse to enroll disabled students who local administrators deemed uneducable, or disabled students were segregated within the education system, ostensibly to receive individualized attention.

Principal sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 include:

• Section 501focuses on the federal government's hiring practices.
• Section 502created the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) to enforce standards set by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968.
• Section 503 prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of physical or mental disability by businesses with federal contracts or their subcontractors.
• Section 504prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability in programs receiving federal funds. This section also established the Client Assistance Demonstration Projects (CAPs) to inform and advise people with disabilities about all available benefits under theRehabilitation Act. Amendments in 1984 extended CAPs to each state. This section also established, by statute, the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
• Section 508addresses issues related to access to communication and computer technology.

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978 provided:

• Title VII comprehensive services for independent living, such as information and referral, counseling, job placement, health, education, recreation, and social services.
• Centers for Independent Living, which are community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit agencies designed and operated by people with disabilities providing an array of independent living services.
• Independent Living Services for Older Blind Individuals.
• Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights, a system in each state designed to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities.
• Vocation rehabilitation service grants to Native American tribes.

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986 defined and established supportive employment as an acceptable goal. Supportive employment is competitive employment in an integrated setting, or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals are working toward competitive employment with ongoing support services for those with the most significant disabilities. The amendment provided grants for special projects and demonstrations in supportive employment, established a program to assist state agencies to develop and implement supportive employment services, and added rehabilitation engineering as a vocational rehabilitation service.

The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 emphasized employment as the primary goal of rehabilitation. The amendment assumed that applicants were employable unless proven otherwise. The amendment also ensured that individuals must be provided choice and control in establishing their vocational rehabilitation goals and objectives.

Source: http://nlihc.org/article/40-years-ago-rehabilitation-act-1973-passed

An inspirational article on LifeNews.com written by Sarah Zagorski about a man who proved doctors wrong. His self-determination led him to achieve things others thought impossible!

She Was Told Her Son Would Be a Vegetable, Now Hes Graduating From College

By: Sarah Zagorski

In 1975, Frankie MacQueen was born withcerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that causes impairment of motor function due to brain injury or abnormal development of the brain. Most cases of cerebral palsy are diagnosed before the age of one; andonly two percent of all cases are believed to be due to a genetic cause.

When Frankie was a baby, his mother, Neila MacQueen was told her son wouldnt live past the age of ten and that he wouldnt amount to anything. She was toldhe wouldjust be a vegetable. However, at the age of 39, Frankie is graduating from Cape Breton University with a Bachelors of Arts andCommunity Studies degree. During his high school and college career, hes only been able to use one finger to type; but that hasnt stopped him from reaching his goals. And even though its taken his eight years to get his degree, his mother couldnt be happier.

Neilatold the Cape Breton Post, I never thought I would see this day. I didnt even think Frankie would go to school or be in a regular class, and university was totally out of the question. He went ahead and accomplished all of this really and I followed him. It was his decision; his choice, whatever, and I just followed him. Its a pleasure for Frankie to be my son.

His tutor, Shirley Gardiner, also commented on his success and said his biggest asset is his ability to remember things.She said, Thats probably one of the reasons why Frankie has been able to succeed as well, and of course, the technology thats available today, to be able to use a laptop and computer on his own.

When Frankie graduated high school he received a standing ovation, but he doesnt want any kind of special treatment when he receives his bachelors degree. He said, I dont like being the center of attention because I get nervous.

Now, Frankie wants to continue moving forward and receive a diploma in Information Technology from theNSCC Marconi Campus. His goal is to open his own business so that he can help people with disabilities. He said, I want to teach others with disabilities about technology. Frankie wants people with disabilities to know that they too can have a life.

Source:http://www.lifenews.com/2014/10/24/she-was-told-her-son-would-be-a-vegetable-now-hes-graduating-from-college/

An article inDisability Scoopwritten by Shaun Heasley about how Supplemental Security will go up beginning December 31st.