DBTAC- Northeast ADA Technical Bulletin: March 2008 The DBTAC- Northeast ADA Center at Cornell University provides training, technical assistance and materials on the ADA and accessible information technology throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This monthly technical bulletin is part of our dissemination efforts and if you do not want to receive this document or would like others from your organization added to our list, please call 1-800-949-4232 or reply to this message. Thank you.
Please join us for the March 18th distance learning - The Nature and Scope of Discrimination in Hiring Under ADA Title I Over 20,000 allegations of workplace discrimination specific to hiring have been investigated and closed by the EEOC through 2005. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have uncovered some surprising facts about the nature and scope of hiring discrimination related to characteristics of the charging parties, employers, and outcomes. These findings and their ramifications for the implementation and future of ADA will be discussed. Speaker: Brian T. McMahon, Ph.D., CRC, Professor, VCU Dept. of Rehabilitation Counseling, Director, Coordination, Outreach and Research Center (CORC) for the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers Date and Time: 3/18/2008 at 1:00-2:30pm CT To learn more or to register for the ADA Audio Conference please visit www.ada-audio.org <http://www.ada-audio.org/> . Social Security Recipients and the IRS Economic Stimulus Payments (excerpt from IRS) Normally, certain Social Security payments are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special provision allowing Social Security recipients to count those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179201,00.html. New Fact sheets from EEOC on Service Related Injuries for Veterans EEOC has recently published two fact sheets on the topic of veterans with service related injuries returning to the workforce. One is for veterans so that they may know their rights as they either return to their previous position or are applying for new employment. The other fact sheet is for employers so that they know their responsibilities and addresses hiring, reasonable accommodation and other issues related to equal employment opportunities. Both fact sheets can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/press/2-2908.html. Access Board's new guidance on pedestrian pathways (excerpt from Access Board) Public streets and sidewalks present unique access challenges that are not encompassed by existing guidelines or standards. Access at street crossings for pedestrians with vision impairments, on-street parking, and constraints posed by terrain and space limitations are just some of the issues that often arise. The Board is developing guidelines for public rights-of-way that will address these and other issues so that practitioners have an established reference for achieving accessible streets and sidewalks. More information can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/news/row-guidance.htm HUD and DOJ Release new guidance on 'reasonable modifications' under the Fair Housing Act (excerpt from HUD) WASHINGTON - New guidance released this week by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Justice (DOJ) reinforced the right of persons with disabilities to make "reasonable modifications" to their dwellings if a structural change to their dwelling or to a common area of the building or complex in which they live is needed so that they can fully enjoy the premises. The guidance is designed to help housing providers and homeowners' associations better understand their obligations and help persons with disabilities better understand their rights regarding the "reasonable modifications" provision of the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). Please visit their website for more information at http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-028.cfm <http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-028.cfm&CFID=9417368&CFTOK EN=41911420> &CFID=9417368&CFTOKEN=41911420 . DBTAC - Northeast ADA Center 201 ILR Extension Building Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 1-800-949-4232 (TTY and voice) NY, NJ, PR, USVI www.northeastada.org <http://www.northeastada.org/> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Elizabeth M. Treston, M.A., CCC/SLP Speaker/Disability Consult/Education 516.316.1807 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://www.missliz.org/> www.missliz.org
