General E-bulletin

Access Board Approves ADA and ABA Guidelines

The Access Board approved the text of a final rule to update its guidelines for facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during its September 2002 meeting. The rule also updates requirements for federally funded facilities covered by the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The revised ADA and ABA accessibility guidelines will feature updated scoping and technical requirements and a new format and numbering system. However, the final rule is not publicly available due to remaining actions that must be completed in advance of publication. For more information, contact the Access Board at http://www.access-board.gov.
(Access Currents Volume 8, No. 5 September/ October 2002)

DOT Issues Guidance on Access at Airport Security Checkpoints

In light of the heightened security at the nation's airports, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken steps to ensure that the rights of passengers with disabilities are protected. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued advice to air travelers, including those with disabilities, on new security screening procedures. This guidance is intended to inform passengers with disabilities of their rights, including those with mobility, hearing, or vision impairments. Necessary procedures are also detailed. Screeners are required to visually and physically inspect prosthetic devices and body braces, and all bags and satchels attached to mobility aids should be placed on the x-ray belt for inspection. These and other tips are posted on TSA's Web site at http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=83.
(Access Currents Volume 8, No. 5 September/ October 2002)

President Takes Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices by Improving Access to Generic Drugs

President Bush announced a new rule to lower prescription drug costs for millions of Americans by improving access to generic drugs, which are safe and effective and can be alternatives to brand-name prescription drugs. The proposed rule is expected to lead to savings in drug costs of over $3 billion per year for America's consumers. This regulatory action will close loopholes in the implementation of the "Hatch-Waxman" law, which governs how generic drugs can compete with brand-name drugs. As a result, patients will benefit from having access to safe, effective, low-cost generic drugs. For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov.
(The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 10/21/02)

Digitally Recorded Textbooks Available on CD Rom

The Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic announced the release of their inaugural collection of 6,000 digitally recorded educational titles, ranging from Harry Potter to Systems of Psychotherapy: a Transtheoretical Analysis. For additional information, visit their website at http://www.rfbd.org.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Primer for Small Business

This is a new handbook designed to aid employers in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Developed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the handbook is available in hard copy or alternative format by calling the Southwest ADA Center (800) 949-4232 (in Federal Region 6-TX, LA, AR, OK, NM) or outside of Federal Region 6, by calling (713) 520-0232.

Looking for a Resource to Locate Disability Statistics?

Cornell University has developed a resource to help you find the disability statistics you need in terms of population, employment, and income. To access this site, go to:
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/dep/rrtc_stats.html.

Social Security Announces New Initiatives to Promote Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The Commissioner of Social Security announced several new initiatives to assist people with disabilities who want to go to work. The initiatives, announced at the New Freedom Initiative Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, include the Disability Program Navigator, a new position formed jointly with the Department of Labor, and "Ticket to Hire," a specialized referral network linking employers to job seekers with disabilities. Also announced at the celebration was a new Web site www.disabilityinfo.gov an on-line resource for Americans with disabilities. For more information, go to: http://www.ssa.gov.
(Social Security eNews, Press Office Update Issue 31 October 16, 2002)

Transportation & The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Come Learn About What The ADA Requires And How Some Communities Are Making These Mandates A Reality

The Southwest ADA Center is sponsoring an intense training for advocates and people with disabilities to learn about accessible transportation and the ADA. Come learn from the premier ADA transportation trainers in the country: Marilyn Golden, with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), and Russell Thatcher, with Multisystems.

This conference will take place on Tuesday, March 18 - Thursday, March 20, 2003 at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The cost is $50 and includes materials, breakfast, lunch and snacks for all three days. Registration is limited to 55 participants. The registration deadline is February 21. However, seats are filling quickly, so if you are interested in participating, it is strongly recommended that you register early. Individuals from Federal Region 6 (TX, OK, LA, NM, AR) will receive preference if they register by February 14. For more information, go to http://www.swdbtac.org/html/Training/transp2003.html or contact Maria Soria at (800) 949-4232 in Federal Region 6 or (713) 520-0232 outside of Federal Region 6.

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The Southwest ADA Center provides this E-bulletin for individuals interested in updates related to disability laws.

The information herein is intended solely as informal guidance and is neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the Act, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. However, if desired, DLRP can refer you to the appropriate enforcement agency, by calling 800-949-4232.

DLRP is a not-for-profit that is grant funded to provide education and guidance on disability-related laws to promote proactive compliance in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. DLRP is based at ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization), a program of TIRR in Houston, Texas. It is one of ten Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers funded by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), an agency of the Department of Education, under grant #H133D60012, to provide information, materials, and technical assistance on the ADA.

Project staff are available at 800-949-4232 from 9:00-5:00 CST to answer your questions related to the information you are currently receiving, as well as any questions related to disability laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can also e-mail your question to swdbtac@ilru.org. All questions are answered confidentially.

To unsubscribe to the general E-bulletin, or to subscribe to the HR or legal E-bulletin, to ask a question or give a comment, please send an E-mail to swdbtac@ilru.org.  All questions are answered confidentially.

You are welcome to reproduce all or part of the text on this web page electronically or in print, crediting as your source the Southwest ADA Center at ILRU. We would greatly appreciate receiving a copy of your use of our material. Please send to:

Tajauna Dunning, Communications Director
Southwest ADA Center
2323 S. Shepherd #1000
Houston, Texas 77019
713-520-0232 (v/tty)
713-520-5785 (fax)
tdunning@ilru.org

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