Upcoming Trainings, Activities and Events

In-person Training

What the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Means for You

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 promises significant changes to the way employers are required to view and process disability discrimination claims and reasonable accommodation requests. It broadens the definition of who is covered under the Act, and makes the Act accessible to more disabled individuals.

Learn from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Act, what those changes are and how they may affect you and your employment situation. The session will also review the reasonable accommodation process and guidance on medical exams and inquiries in light of the new Act.

Speaker: Peggy R. Mastroianni, Associate Legal Counsel, US EEOC, Washington, DC

As Associate Legal Counsel of the EEOC Peggy is responsible for developing Commission guidance under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); providing legal advice and review for the Commission on a wide range of administrative matters; and defending the Commission against suits brought in judicial and administrative forums by members of the public.

Date/Time:

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
9:30 am Registration
10:00 am to Noon ADA Amendments Act of 2008

Location:

San Antonio Central (Public) Library
600 Soledad
San Antonio, Texas 78205

The San Antonio Central Library is located on 600 Soledad, at the former location of Sears Building, south of Romana Plaza and west of Navarro Street. Parking is available directly south of the library off of Soledad street. Parking validation may be available for one-hour of free parking at the circulation or security desks in the main lobby.

Registration Contact: Marisa Demaya at 1.800.949.4232 or 713.520.0232 ext. 118

RSVP’s and accommodation requests must be made by July 1, 2009

This Presentation is Free of Charge. Refreshments will be provided. This training is sponsored by the DBTAC Southwest ADA Center, San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS), and the City of San Antonio Disability Access Office (DAO).

Online Trainings

ADA BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS: An Online Course about the ADA. This introductory web course on the ADA explores the legal requirements and spirit of the ADA. The course content is self-paced, organized into 12 topics, and designed to be studied in order. Upon completion of the course, you may be eligible to earn a certificate and one CEU if you meet ALL established criteria. The course is free, however, there is a $50 CEU fee that must be paid to receive continuing education credit. Good news! The Basic ADA Building Blocks Web course (moderated version) has been approved for 14 hours of CRCC credits.

At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities is a free online course designed to: increase understanding of the needs and experiences of people with disabilities; present how to adjust general customer service standards to meet the needs of the customer with a disability; develop basic etiquette for interacting with a customer who has a disability; show how to comply with statutes regarding service to people with disabilities, particularly the ADA and Section 508. This course is self-paced and available to anyone at anytime.

Access E-Learning (AEL) is a ten-module tutorial that is a resource for those seeking to make their distance education accessible for individuals with disabilities. AEL offers information on the most common needs in distance education, and provides instruction in techniques that will enhance the usability of online materials for all students. Before using this tutorial, you must create a login. Registration is free and will give you unlimited access. Each time you want to use this tutorial, simply login with your email address and password.

EASI Online Courses and the Certificate in Accessible Information Technology
EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) has created 3 separate but interconnected programs specifically designed to support institutions making their computer and information technology systems accessible to students, staff and faculty with disabilities. Besides the Certificate program, EASI provides monthly 60-minute live Web conferences on current technology and an annual institutional membership with special networking and support features.

Job Accommodation Network's Approach to Reasonable Accommodations
JAN represents the most comprehensive resource for job accommodations available.

Partners in Education is a 3-hour online self-study course for parents of children with disabilities. The course is designed to teach the skills you need to advocate for your child. You will learn about:

Laws governing special education and how they protect your child's rights
Your role in your child's educational experience
Your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and your role in developing the IEP;
How to advocate for your child;
Your rights if you believe your child's educational rights have been violated.

Series on Accessibility and the ADAAG

The four-part series is available on-demand for continuing education credits.

Topics in the series are:

The ADAAG Special Sections: Completing the Accessibility Picture
Accessibility in the Public Right-of-Way: Access on the Road
Common Errors & Omissions in New Construction:Better Design = Less Rebuild
Harmonization of the Standards–Getting Everyone on the "Same Page"

Distance Learning 2008-2009 Teleconferences:

Date	Teleconference
June 16, 2009 1:00-2:30pm Central	Prepare for the unexpected: Emergency Preparedness/Evacuation for people with Disabilities One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizenry from harm, including helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies. Making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to people with disabilities is a critical part of this responsibility. Making these programs accessible is also required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Join this session to learn more about what has been occurring across the country in this area and best practices for implementation. Speaker: Carl T. Cameron, PhD, Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness
July 21, 2009 1:00-2:30pm Central	ADA Update: 19 Years Later Mark the 19th anniversary of the ADA by joining this audio conference as we listen to representatives of the Federal Agencies present an update on their litigation, technical assistance and enforcement efforts over the past year. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community. Speaker: Sharon Rennert, Senior Attorney Advisor, Americans with Disabilities Act Division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission John Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division United States Department of Justice
August 18, 2009 1:00-2:30pm Central	Ensuring Effective Communication: Whose responsibility is it? Who pays for the sign language interpreter? How much notice is required? What language should I put about it in my flyer? Do I have to use a “certified” sign language interpreter? These and many more questions will be discussed during this session. Communication is central to all aspects of conducting business or providing services. Having equal access to information is a civil right yet many people continue to report that they struggle with their healthcare professionals, lawyers, theatres, educational institutions and government officials to get the form of communication that is most effective for them. Business owners and others remain confused about whose responsibility it is to provide communication related accommodations. This session will provide insight into the problems, discuss case law as it has developed in this area and identify best practice guidelines for approaching this issue. Speaker: TBA
September 15, 2009 1:00-2:30pm Central	Best Practices in Accommodating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability and other emerging groups within Post Secondary Education Educational entities are reporting increased enrollment of individuals with a variety of disabilities that they have not traditionally been served. Questions and concerns regarding the type of accommodations needed and how the campus environment needs to respond to ensure that qualified students have an equal opportunity to participate are common on the various post secondary education list servs and blogs. Join the speakers for this session to learn more about how some institutions have implemented programs that have effectively been able to accommodate and integrate these students. Speaker: TBA

Date

Teleconference

June 16, 2009

1:00-2:30pm Central

Prepare for the unexpected: Emergency Preparedness/Evacuation for people with Disabilities

One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizenry from harm, including helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies. Making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to people with disabilities is a critical part of this responsibility. Making these programs accessible is also required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Join this session to learn more about what has been occurring across the country in this area and best practices for implementation.

Speaker: Carl T. Cameron, PhD, Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness

July 21, 2009

1:00-2:30pm Central

ADA Update: 19 Years Later

Mark the 19th anniversary of the ADA by joining this audio conference as we listen to representatives of the Federal Agencies present an update on their litigation, technical assistance and enforcement efforts over the past year. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community.

Speaker:

Sharon Rennert, Senior Attorney Advisor, Americans with Disabilities Act Division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division United States Department of Justice

August 18, 2009

1:00-2:30pm Central

Ensuring Effective Communication: Whose responsibility is it?

Who pays for the sign language interpreter? How much notice is required? What language should I put about it in my flyer? Do I have to use a “certified” sign language interpreter? These and many more questions will be discussed during this session. Communication is central to all aspects of conducting business or providing services. Having equal access to information is a civil right yet many people continue to report that they struggle with their healthcare professionals, lawyers, theatres, educational institutions and government officials to get the form of communication that is most effective for them. Business owners and others remain confused about whose responsibility it is to provide communication related accommodations. This session will provide insight into the problems, discuss case law as it has developed in this area and identify best practice guidelines for approaching this issue.

Speaker: TBA

September 15, 2009

1:00-2:30pm Central

Best Practices in Accommodating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability and other emerging groups within Post Secondary Education

Educational entities are reporting increased enrollment of individuals with a variety of disabilities that they have not traditionally been served. Questions and concerns regarding the type of accommodations needed and how the campus environment needs to respond to ensure that qualified students have an equal opportunity to participate are common on the various post secondary education list servs and blogs. Join the speakers for this session to learn more about how some institutions have implemented programs that have effectively been able to accommodate and integrate these students.

Speaker: TBA