National Council on Disability report critical of Amtrak's lack of accessibility
Progressive Rail Roading
A new report released today by the National Council on Disability (NCD) called out Amtrak for its lack of accessible rail cars and stations.
The document, titled "Transportation Update: Where We've Gone and What We've Learned," noted that the national passenger railroad's stations and platforms have been out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act since July 2010.
Disabled still face many transportation barriers
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
National Council on Disability’s report praises public transit, frowns on alternatives
Senior living and long-term care employers should review their leave of absence
Lexology
It has been over 22 years since the enactment of The Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), which provides up to 12 weeks of job protected leave for an employee with a serious health condition. While most senior living and long-term employers are well-versed in the FMLA and its requirements, some level of confusion continues as to what obligations an employer has under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) to provide leave above and beyond FMLA requirements for persons with disabilities. This obligation is compounded by the 2009 revisions to the ADA, which expanded the scope of the definition of a disability.
EEOC Catches Up With the Wellness Wave
JD Supra
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued a proposed rule finally illuminating whether and to what extent incentives can be offered for participation in a wellness program that involves disability-related inquiries or medical examinations without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disabilities, and it restricts employers from obtaining medical information about employees by prohibiting disability-related inquiries or requiring medical examinations. However, the ADA permits voluntary medical examinations and inquiries that are part of an employee health program. The meaning of the voluntary requirement has been an unanswered question with which employers have had to grapple for years. The proposed rule brings ADA regulations largely into line with existing regulations under other statutes, capping incentives at 30 percent of the total cost of employee-only coverage under the employer-sponsored health plan through which such workplace wellness programs must be offered.
The Hill (blog)
The 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this July presents us with an opportunity both to celebrate our country’s collective work on long term services and support and look ahead to the work that remains to be done to strengthen these critical services, including a well-supported, trained workforce and expanded resources for providers.
The ADA at 25: Unfinished business
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The landmark American with Disabilities Act has changed standards and improved lives. Next up: improvements in jobs and housing.
Dick Thornburgh: The disabilities revolution
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Twenty-five years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act began to transform the lives of millions and the minds of millions more
FCC: Don't Forget About the Americans With Disabilities Act Commentary
Roll Call
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This landmark law, authored by Sen. Tom Harkin and signed by President George Bush, sets the United States apart from the rest of the world. No other nation provides the protections and accommodations for people with disabilities that the United States does. This is something for which every American can be proud.