The National eNewsletter - New 12/15/2015 The official e-Newsletter of the National Association of ADA Coordinators Serving the ADA Coordination and 504 Compliance Community Since 1992 (888) 679-7227 FAX (877) 480-7858 [email protected] WEB SITE: WWW.AskJAN.ORG/NAADAC Volume 24 - No. 1 ADA Professional Version - 31 pages December 2015 - January 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Conference Announcement and Information, Spring 2016 Page 1-3 Conference Pictures Page 4 New ADA Articles of Interest & Conference Topics Article Pages 1 - 14 (Associate Email Only Version contains an additional 11 pages of ADA case law and information) Spring 2016 - Conference Program Pages Conference Agenda - Pages 1-8 Spring 2016 - Conference Faculty Faculty - Pages 1-5 Spring 2016 - Conference Location and Registration Follows Faculty Pages 2016 Spring National Conference (55th) - Announcement Co-sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation April 11-14, 2016 - Tampa, Florida Our attendees on evaluations, and by word-of- mouth, indicate this is the best and most comprehensive conference for ADA coordinators. The past 10 conferences rated as outstanding by 99.6% of the participants’ evaluations Answers to your questions from the experts you want to hear from: General Session Panel from Fall 2015 Conference - Left to Right: Paul Grossman, J.D., Chief Attorney (ret.) U.S. Department of Education; Rebecca Bond, J.D., Chief, DSR, U.S. Department of Justice; Chris Kuczynski, J.D., LL.M., Acting Associate Legal Counsel, Director, ADA/GINA Policy Division, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Irene Bowen, J.D., Deputy Chief (ret,) DSR, U.S. Department of Justice; John Wodatch, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (ret.), Former Chief, DSR, U.S. Department of Justice. The Mayor of the City of San Diego, Kevin L. Faulconer, on behalf of the citizens of San Diego proclaimed the Opening Day (10/19/2015) of the conference to be “NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ADA COORDINATORS DAY” in the City of San Diego. Page 1 “An ADA for the 21st Century” Trends and Possibilities Now that the dust has settled on all the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the ADA, it’s time to get back to fulfilling the goals and obligations of the ADA. The Association’s Spring’s 2016 conference will focus on the future: on the new and complex issues confronting entities covered by the ADA in the 21st century. We expect new ADA regulations soon from the Federal government: on requirements for accessible technology; on new standards for the nation’s sidewalks and public rights of way, and Title I employment issues. the expanded definition of disability in the ADA Amendments Act is now beginning to make an impact in the cases making their way through the court system. The Spring Conference in Tampa will revisit the ADA’s fundamental principles and then explore the possibilities of other new ADA issues and trends. THE SPRING 2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FACULTY 9 ADA attorneys, 4 ADA architects, 9 ADA Coordinators and Section 504 Compliance Officers and ADA Medical Professionals See Full Conference Agenda, Faculty Bios on Association web site and in this newsletter. WHAT YOU TAKE BACK FROM THE CONFERENCE Current case law, best practices, policy examples, and reasonable solutions to trending and complex ADA situations. Training ideas. Free ADA library on USB drive at conference. WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT OUR FALL 2015 NATIONAL CONFERENCE “As always, this training was SUPER! The faculty were very approachable and answered questions asked. I have been recommending this conferences to everyone I come in contact with. ” Betty M., ADA Coordinator, Sheriff’s Department - California “As a first time attendee, I appreciate the depth of information provided and thrilled by the caliber and knowledge base of ALL the presenters” Pamela S., Director, Student Disability Services, Major University, California “This is the most helpful, professional conference I take part in during the year! The information and guidance is critical to success in my job.” Shelley D., ADA Coordinator, Major University, Florida WHY PARTICIPANTS RAVE ABOUT OUR Page 2 ADA USB FLASH DRIVE LIBRARY AND CONFERENCE HANDOUTS “WOW! Again a total knockout with a 1, 2, 3 punch. Very important info.” David S., Major County, Georgia; and many others Each participant will receive over 270 important ADA Handouts - FREE - on the updated Conference 2016 USB ADA Library Drive. The updated USB drive is only available at the Spring 2016 National Conference and is as part of your conference package at no cost. The value of these materials, if you had to research, compile, and edit, is estimated at over several thousands of dollars as well as the time saving required if you had to develop and produce on your own . AND . In addition, that at the conference, there are added faulty PowerPoint presentations and handouts dealing with many trending and best practice, and how to save time and money. These can provide information to develop your own ADA training and education programs. OTHER CONFERENCE EVENING EVENTS There is an Association President’s Reception on Tuesday evening with snacks and refreshments. Your opportunity to meet the speakers and our Board of Directors in a relaxed atmosphere. Again by popular demand a KARAOKE night is planned for Wednesday evening. Refreshment and goodies provided for all. At the Spring 2015 Conference $200 in donated prizes will be awarded in three categories - “First Place” ($100), “Most Innovative” ($50), and “Most Inspired”, will receive $50 each. Come join the fun after an informative and busy day at the conference. Be entertained, even if you do not want to sing. INFORMATION FOR NON-ASSOCIATES If you are not an Associate, now is the time to become an Individual, Professional (P.A.), or Organizational Associate. If you join when registering for this conference you can register at Associate registration rate on the conference registration form. Associates received an additional email discount offer, worth $300, off this 2016 Spring conference. The Associates’ Version of this Newsletter contains an additional 11 emailed pages on ADA case law and other information. UPDATE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES (P.A.) PROGRAM We recognized 9 new P.A.s at the Fall 2015 conference and another 8 completed their P.A. requirements at the Fall conference. There are over 130 Associates in various phases of completing the PA program. See our website at: www.AskJAN.org/NAADAC for more information on the Association’s Professional Associate program CONFERENCE LOCATION AND HOTEL The conference is being held at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, 2225 North Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33607. Complimentary shuttle provided from/to Tampa International Airport and within three miles of the hotel. Hotel self-parking and guestroom Internet are complimentary. Participant is responsible for making own lodging reservation. Credit card guarantee is required. The Association has negotiated a special conference rate from three days before/after the conference at a per room rate of $125.00 per night, plus taxes (single/double) if reserved by 3/20/2016, provided room block has not been sold out. To make lodging reservations call Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667, or the hotel at 813-877-6688; and mention you are attending the National Association of ADA Coordinators conference. Page 3 The Karaoke Challenge Winners The “Voices” of Karaoke Night Welcome to some of our John Wodatch and Irene Bowen Professional Associates Access Track Faculty. When at DOJ, they wrote the ADA Title II and III regs. Rebecca Bond, Chief, DRS, DOJ, receiving ADA 25th Anniversary Plaque from Paul Hagle, NAADAC Executive Chris Kuczynski, ADA/GINA Policy Director Director, U.S. EEOC, answering attendees questions. Chris was responsible for Title I regulations. Chris has participated in 31 of our national conferences Pictures courtesy of Michael Paravagna, Brian Nelson, Joy Trieglaff ADA ARTICLES OF INTEREST SURGE OF ADA LAWSUITS IS HOLDING STRONG There was a 60% increase in the number of ADA Title III lawsuits between 2013 and 2014 (2479 vs. 4436). In the first six months of 2015, 2114 Title III lawsuits were filed. It appears that the number of lawsuits filed in the second half of 2015 will be slightly greater than the first half, the total will not likely be much different from the 2014 total. This means that the 2014 surge was probably not an aberration but, more likely, the new normal. Although, it seems that there has been a surge of claims based on allegedly inaccessible websites. Where are the lawsuit hot spots - California, Florida, and New York. Other states are seeing more action than before. Idaho had four lawsuits in the first half of 2015 even though it had none for 2013 and 2014. Arizona had 19 lawsuits filed during this six month period even though it only had 8 in all of 2014. Minnesota had 42 lawsuits in the first six months of 2015 as compared to the 14 it had in 2014. Individuals with Disabilities Face Employment Discrimination According to a recent study done by Rutgers University and Syracuse University, individuals with one or more disabilities are more likely to face discrimination than those without a disability. The study, called "The Disability Employment Puzzle: A Field Experiment on Employer Hiring Behavior" looked at groups of near identical cover letters sent to employers for accounting positions. Some of the letters mentioned the applicant having a disability, while others did not. According to the study, the individuals with disabilities were 26% less likely to be considered, while experienced applicants with disabilities were 34% less likely to be considered. The study did show that the Americans with Disabilities Act appears to reduce the bias against people with disabilities. The bias was most pronounced in workplaces with less than 15 employees.