Techdirt
On March 19th, there was a ruling [pdf] in a case in a federal district court in Vermont, brought by the National Federation for the Blind against Scribd, saying that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applied to the internet, and thus Scribd had to comply with the ADA. The specific concern is whether or not a website is a "place of public accommodation." Three years ago there was a similar ruling against Netflix (also brought by the National Federation for the Blind), which we noted had some troubling aspects to it. Since then, there have been a number of cases that have gone the other way. And, indeed, just this week the 9th Circuit appeals court upheld a lower court ruling [pdf] saying that Netflix does not need to comply with the ADA.
Arbitration clause in Massachusetts employee handbook held enforceable
HR.BLR.com
There is a natural tension between the at-will-employment relationship many employers maintain with their employees and the desire to enforce policies and procedures without tipping the scales toward creating an employment contract.
We all have to deal with people – but if you can't, you might be disabled
Lexology
To find protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), an employee must have a disability or mental impairment that “substantially limits” one or more “major life activities.” In the recent case of Jacobs v. N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts et al., 4th Circ., No. 13-2212, March 12, 2015, the Fourth Circuit (Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina) reiterated the broad construction of these terms to include social anxiety disorder.
Feds remind Michigan summer camps about ADA compliance
The Detroit News
With summer camp season just weeks away, federal authorities are reminding operators they need to be sure facilities can accommodate children with disabilities.
U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan put hundreds of camps on notice late last month, spelling out their obligations under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
State Helping Disabled Persons Get Community Jobs
Greeneville Sun
A statewide effort is underway to increase employment opportunities for people supported by the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).
Service dogs to the rescue: Canines benefit autistic kids in Butte area
Montana Standard