ADALive!

The goal of Think College at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston is to support the creation of authentic, inclusive college experiences that lead not only to academic and social growth, but also integrated competitive employment outcomes for youth with intellectual disability. Students with intellectual disability who go to college are 26% more likely to leave vocational rehabilitation services with a paid job and earn a 73% higher weekly income. There are now over 260 colleges and universities that have opened their doors to students with intellectual disability.

As more students with intellectual disability express their desire to go continue their education, more colleges respond by creating opportunities for learning. Teachers need to learn about these opportunities so that they curb the low expectations that are too often placed upon children with intellectual disability. Families need to know about these options so that they can make help prepare their children for a different and better future. And most of all, youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities need to know that college is a realistic option for their future. One that can lead to increased knowledge, social connections and better employment outcomes. To support and expand this progress we need to increase public awareness about these college options, increase efforts to expand existing options, and targeted research to document the outcome that higher education can have on the lives of people with intellectual disability.

Speaker: Meg Grigal, Ph.D., Co-Director, Think College Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode45

A hallmark of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the provision of reasonable accommodation to ensure equality in the workplace. In this episode of ADA Live, we will discuss what is and is not reasonable accommodation and how to request accommodation. When employers hear the word “disability,” they may become concerned with cost and legal liability. Often, employers do not understand that they too have rights under ADA. Employees generally do not know that they have responsibilities in disclosing disability and the need for accommodation.

This presentation will address the following questions: What is “Reasonable Accommodation?” What is not “Reasonable Accommodation?” When can someone get an accommodation? How do I ask for accommodation? What rights and responsibilities do I have as a person with a disability? What rights and responsibilities does an employer have? When is the “right time” to disclose a need for accommodation? What are the concerns people have when they disclose a disability and how are they protected?

Speakers: Barry Whaley, Project Director for the Southeast ADA Center

Pamela Williamson, Assistant Project Director, Southeast ADA Center

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode/episode-43

A food allergy may be considered a disability under federal laws, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A disability as defined by the ADA is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as eating. Major life activities also include major bodily functions, such as the functions of the gastrointestinal system. Some individuals with food allergies have a disability as defined by ADA, particularly those with more significant or severe responses to certain foods.

Join us as Pamela Williamson shares her personal story regarding food allergies and provides recommendations regarding requesting accommodations. In addition, Corinne Gilliam, Disability Services Specialist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, discusses how Vanderbilt University addresses food allergies and discusses how the settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Lesley University in Massachusetts helped to increase awareness among higher education professionals that food allergies and celiac disease may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Speakers: Corinne Gilliam - Disability Services Specialist, Vanderbilt University

Pamela Williamson - Assistant Project Director, Southeast ADA Center

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode42

This show is a continuation of our discussion with Nancy Horton regarding the top 5 ADA questions regarding reasonable accommodations. A diversified workforce is a win-win situation for everyone. It is often easier to accommodate an employee with a disability than employers may think. This session of ADA Live! will explore the most frequent workplace accommodation requests and possible solutions. The topics for reasonable accommodations to be covered will include: Leave, Reassignment to Another Position, Accessible or Reserved Parking, Service Animals, and Reasonable Accommodation for Job-Related Testing or Training.

Join Nancy Horton, Technical Assistance Specialist at the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, as she answers some of the most common questions from employers and workers with disabilities that are received by ADA Specialists at the 10 Regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network.

For the first part of the discussion, listen to Episode 40 - Top 5 ADA Topics: Notes from an ADA Specialist (Part 1).

Speaker: Nancy Horton, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode41

A diversified workforce is a win-win situation for everyone. It is often easier to accommodate an employee with a disability than employers may think. This session of ADA Live! will explore the most frequent workplace accommodation requests and possible solutions. The topics for reasonable accommodations to be covered will include: Leave, Reassignment to Another Position, Accessible or Reserved Parking, Service Animals, and Reasonable Accommodation for Job-Related Testing or Training.

Join Nancy Horton, Technical Assistance Specialist at the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, as she answers some of the most common questions from employers and workers with disabilities that are received by ADA Specialists at the 10 Regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network.

Speaker: Nancy Horton, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode40

Universal Design is changing the world we live in by making buildings, products and environments that are accessible to all - people with disabilities and those without disabilities. In this episode, Diana Foote, Executive Director of the Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC), and Michael Rotella, GUDC Associate Director, will define Universal Design (UD) and provide some examples. They will also discuss the benefits of Universal Design and identify how it benefits a wide range of people. They will also explain how Universal Design differs from building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Speakers:Michael Rotella, Associate Director, Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC)

Diana Foote, Executive Director of the Global Universal Design Commission & Director of Operations & Business Manager, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode39

Back by popular demand, the "ADA Live!" Show: The School Year Has Started - And It's Not Going Well. What Can I Do? is being rebroadcast by the Southeast ADA Center. This session of WADA ADA Live! continues our conversation with Georgia Fruechtenicht. In this episode, Georgia will explain the options parents have when their child's school year is not going well. She will discuss writing emails and letters to express concerns and how to request a meeting. She will also discuss effective communication techniques parents can use to address their concerns, strengthen their partnership with the teacher, and get their children the support they need to be successful at school.

Speaker: Georgia Fruechtenicht, Special Education Parent Mentor for Coweta County Schools

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode38

People with disabilities face many challenges in employment. Antidiscrimination laws are continually evolving and new issues are coming to the fore. Learning about, understanding, and applying information about these laws and changes is difficult, even for those trained in the language and the logic of the law.

Steven Mendelsohn - Attorney, Advocate, and Author of People with Disabilities and Employment Law: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, And What They Mean In Everyday Life - will discuss how people with disabilities can benefit from information about key recent developments in the law and from analysis of their practical implications in everyday life.

Speaker: Steven Mendelsohn, Attorney, Advocate, Author

This is a very exciting year with the Presidential election coming up in November. This episode is the continuation of a three part series on voting access. In this episode, Carol Francisco and Darren Jernigan, both of whom have been on the board of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, will discuss why voting is so important for people with disabilities. In addition, Carol and Darren will discuss their personal voting experiences and their experience on the Tennessee’s Help America Vote (HAVA) Committee.

Speakers: Carol Francisco, Tennessee Disability Coalition

Darren Jernigan, Tennessee Disability Coalition

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode36

Back by popular demand, the "ADA Live!" Show: Back to School—What Parents Need to Know Before the School Year Begins is being rebroadcast by the Southeast ADA Center. This session of WADA ADA Live! will explore what parents need to know to help their child’s school year get off to a good start. Topics include establishing a good relationship with your child’s teachers and staff; helping a child who is very anxious about going back to school; who decides when an IEP should be scheduled; how to prepare for the IEP or 504 meeting; ideas for following up after the IEP/504 meeting; and what students with disabilities going on to college or vocational training need to know.

Join Georgia Fruechtenicht as she answers some of the most common questions from parents about how to collaborate with teachers and staff to make the school year successful for their child.

Speaker: Georgia Fruechtenicht, Special Education Parent Mentor for Coweta County Schools

More Information and Transcript available at: https://www.adalive.org/episode35