News & Events

  • December 3 Is International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    In 1992, December 3 was declared the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) by the United Nations General Assembly. This day of observance “aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.” For more facts and figures, visit the United Nations IDPD website.

    For more information on IDPD and the ADA, explore this Southeast ADA Center article.

  • Northeast ADA Center Closed November 23-24

    Please note that on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, the Northeast ADA Center’s technical assistance hotline will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. The hotline will reopen the following Monday, November 27, at 8:30 a.m. We encourage you to explore the resources available on the Northeast ADA Center website: northeastada.org

  • Veterans and the ADA - Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023

    In the United States, Veteran’s Day is observed on November 11, the anniversary of the World War I armistice in 1918. Veteran’s Day is a celebration of veterans and a time to honor and thank them for their service and sacrifice for our country. In 2022, 4.9 million veterans, or 27 percent of all veterans, had a service-connected disability (BLS, 2023). Learn about how the ADA protects veterans with disabilities in the workplace from the ADA National Network in Veterans and the ADA.

  • Free Webinar - Disability Disclosure and the Interactive Process

    Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Can an employer ask a job applicant or employee if they have a disability? How do I best support a job seeker/employee in making the best choice for them when it comes to disclosing a disability? What does the ADA mean by “the interactive process”? A job application invites applicants to “self-identify” as having a disability—what does this mean? This session will not only review what the ADA says about disability disclosure in the workplace, but also the very real human impact of disclosure. Register

  • Upcoming Webinars

    Free Webinar - The Basics of Health Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Thursday, October 26, 2023, 2:30-4 p.m. ET

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that provides for equal opportunity and access. This webinar will help health care providers understand their responsibilities under the ADA. We will cover the three basic areas: 1) facility access including: physical access to the building and exam rooms and accessible medical equipment; 2) effective communication with patients with disabilities; and 3) modification of programs, policies, and procedures. For more information, visit the webinar’s page on the ADA National Network website.

    Webinar Registration

    Free Webinar - Southeast ADA Center: ADA in the Courtroom: Cases that are Defining the Law

    Thursday, October 26, 2023, 10-11 a.m. ET

    This webinar will highlight court cases and court decisions relevant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the impact on the civil rights protections of people with disabilities.

    This webinar is the last of ten 60-minute sessions in the 4th Thursday ADA Talks 2023 (January to October).

    Webinar Registration

  • Free Webinar - ADA Overview: A Focus on Title I

    Monday, October 16, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffery Tamburo, Senior Extension Associate and Training Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    Join Jeffrey Tamburo of the Northeast ADA Center as he presents a broad overview of Title I of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The session will explain the overarching purpose of the ADA and review the key elements of Title I, including disability disclosure and reasonable accommodation in the workplace.

    Webinar registration

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: Ask an ADA Professional Questions RE: The Interactive Process for Employment Accommodations

    Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 2-3 p.m. ET

    People who have a disability as defined by the ADA may be entitled to reasonable accommodations in the workplace under Title I. Requests for accommodations can include things like facility modifications, job restructuring, remote work, part-time or modified schedules, changes in the hiring process, etc. The “interactive process” is a term which describes the informal process and conversations that employers and employees must have to determine an appropriate accommodation that will meet the employee’s needs and will also be reasonable for the employer to provide. But how exactly do employers and employees agree on a reasonable and effective accommodation? Who has the final say? What if a suggested accommodation is not effective or will result in an undue hardship? When might you need to consult an expert like an occupational therapist? During this program, attendees will have the opportunity to ask ADA professionals these and other questions about the interactive process for workplace accommodation requests.

    To ensure your question is answered during the session, individuals are highly encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time via the registration website (the option to submit questions is available once you have registered for the session).

    Sign Language Interpreters and Human Generated Real-Time Captioning will be provided for this session.

    Webinar registration

  • October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to advocate for more inclusive workplace policies. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced their theme for NDEAM 2023 as “Advancing Access and Equity.” Read more in a U.S. Department of Labor news release.

    For NDEAM resources, visit ODEP’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month webpage.

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: DOJ Listening Session: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title II Website/App Accessibility

    Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 3-4:30 p.m. ET

    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities" (NPRM) on July 25, 2023. This NPRM proposes a specific technical standard that state and local governments would have to follow to meet their existing obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. The NPRM asks the public for comments about this proposal. To this end, the Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network is hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice regarding the proposed rule.

    Individuals are invited to join this session and share your thoughts in support or against any or all of these proposed regulations. This is not a Q&A session. The Department of Justice will not discuss or be able to respond to any questions during this session. The intent is for DOJ to hear from interested persons and entities. This session will not be recorded and there are no continuing education recognition credits available for this session.

    Participants are encouraged to review the NPRM in advance of the session as well as the Fact Sheet on the NPRM prepared by DOJ in order to be prepared to comment.

    This session will have Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreters Available.

    Web Registration Link

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

    Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

    This session will provide an overview of the new federal EEO statute, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA, effective June 27, 2023, requires covered entities to provide reasonable accommodations to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and other related medical conditions, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Topics to be discussed include which entities and workers are covered by the PWFA; the definition of terms used in the PWFA; what employment practices are prohibited under the PWFA; and the PWFA’s relationship to other laws. 

    To ensure your question is answered during the session , you are highly encouraged to submit it ahead of time via the registration website (the option to submit questions is available once you have registered).

    Human Generated Real-Time Captioning will be provided for this session.

    Webinar registration link

  • Free Webinar – Great Lake ADA Center: Accessible Residential Housing

    Thursday, September 7, 2023, 2:30-4 p.m. ET

    Independent living is one of the most critical elements of accessibility. Accessibility barriers within a person’s home, where they spend most of their time, are imperative to address.

    Residential dwelling unit accessibility guidelines and standards are addressed under many laws, including the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure these facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. These laws, guidelines, and standards can be difficult to understand and lead to confusion for many design professionals, lawyers, and citizens. This session will clarify these requirements and their application to different types of residential facilities, including both privately and publicly funded facilities. Presenters from the U.S. Access Board and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will review differences between Title II and III of the ADA and the ABA, as well as their overlap with HUD's 504 regulations of the Rehabilitation Act. Additionally, presenters will give an overview of the accessible design and construction requirements under the Fair Housing Act that apply broadly to most multifamily housing.

    This session will have real-time captioning and sign language interpreters available.

    Individuals may submit questions in advance of the session when they register for the session.

    Accessible Residential Housing Webinar Registration Link

  • Free Webinar - Disability Disclosure and the Interactive Process

    Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Can an employer ask a job applicant or employee if they have a disability? How do I best support a job seeker/employee in making the best choice for them when it comes to disclosing a disability? What does the ADA mean by “the interactive process”? A job application invites applicants to “self-identify” as having a disability—what does this mean? This session will not only review what the ADA says about disability disclosure in the workplace, but also the very real human impact of disclosure. Register

  • Upcoming Webinars

    Free Webinar - The Basics of Health Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Thursday, October 26, 2023, 2:30-4 p.m. ET

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that provides for equal opportunity and access. This webinar will help health care providers understand their responsibilities under the ADA. We will cover the three basic areas: 1) facility access including: physical access to the building and exam rooms and accessible medical equipment; 2) effective communication with patients with disabilities; and 3) modification of programs, policies, and procedures. For more information, visit the webinar’s page on the ADA National Network website.

    Webinar Registration

    Free Webinar - Southeast ADA Center: ADA in the Courtroom: Cases that are Defining the Law

    Thursday, October 26, 2023, 10-11 a.m. ET

    This webinar will highlight court cases and court decisions relevant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the impact on the civil rights protections of people with disabilities.

    This webinar is the last of ten 60-minute sessions in the 4th Thursday ADA Talks 2023 (January to October).

    Webinar Registration

  • Free Webinar - ADA Overview: A Focus on Title I

    Monday, October 16, 2023, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffery Tamburo, Senior Extension Associate and Training Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    Join Jeffrey Tamburo of the Northeast ADA Center as he presents a broad overview of Title I of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The session will explain the overarching purpose of the ADA and review the key elements of Title I, including disability disclosure and reasonable accommodation in the workplace.

    Webinar registration

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: Ask an ADA Professional Questions RE: The Interactive Process for Employment Accommodations

    Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 2-3 p.m. ET

    People who have a disability as defined by the ADA may be entitled to reasonable accommodations in the workplace under Title I. Requests for accommodations can include things like facility modifications, job restructuring, remote work, part-time or modified schedules, changes in the hiring process, etc. The “interactive process” is a term which describes the informal process and conversations that employers and employees must have to determine an appropriate accommodation that will meet the employee’s needs and will also be reasonable for the employer to provide. But how exactly do employers and employees agree on a reasonable and effective accommodation? Who has the final say? What if a suggested accommodation is not effective or will result in an undue hardship? When might you need to consult an expert like an occupational therapist? During this program, attendees will have the opportunity to ask ADA professionals these and other questions about the interactive process for workplace accommodation requests.

    To ensure your question is answered during the session, individuals are highly encouraged to submit their questions ahead of time via the registration website (the option to submit questions is available once you have registered for the session).

    Sign Language Interpreters and Human Generated Real-Time Captioning will be provided for this session.

    Webinar registration

  • October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to advocate for more inclusive workplace policies. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced their theme for NDEAM 2023 as “Advancing Access and Equity.” Read more in a U.S. Department of Labor news release.

    For NDEAM resources, visit ODEP’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month webpage.

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: DOJ Listening Session: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title II Website/App Accessibility

    Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 3-4:30 p.m. ET

    The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities" (NPRM) on July 25, 2023. This NPRM proposes a specific technical standard that state and local governments would have to follow to meet their existing obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. The NPRM asks the public for comments about this proposal. To this end, the Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network is hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice regarding the proposed rule.

    Individuals are invited to join this session and share your thoughts in support or against any or all of these proposed regulations. This is not a Q&A session. The Department of Justice will not discuss or be able to respond to any questions during this session. The intent is for DOJ to hear from interested persons and entities. This session will not be recorded and there are no continuing education recognition credits available for this session.

    Participants are encouraged to review the NPRM in advance of the session as well as the Fact Sheet on the NPRM prepared by DOJ in order to be prepared to comment.

    This session will have Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreters Available.

    Web Registration Link

  • Free Webinar - Great Lakes ADA Center: What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

    Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

    This session will provide an overview of the new federal EEO statute, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA, effective June 27, 2023, requires covered entities to provide reasonable accommodations to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and other related medical conditions, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Topics to be discussed include which entities and workers are covered by the PWFA; the definition of terms used in the PWFA; what employment practices are prohibited under the PWFA; and the PWFA’s relationship to other laws. 

    To ensure your question is answered during the session , you are highly encouraged to submit it ahead of time via the registration website (the option to submit questions is available once you have registered).

    Human Generated Real-Time Captioning will be provided for this session.

    Webinar registration link

  • Free Webinar – Great Lake ADA Center: Accessible Residential Housing

    Thursday, September 7, 2023, 2:30-4 p.m. ET

    Independent living is one of the most critical elements of accessibility. Accessibility barriers within a person’s home, where they spend most of their time, are imperative to address.

    Residential dwelling unit accessibility guidelines and standards are addressed under many laws, including the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure these facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. These laws, guidelines, and standards can be difficult to understand and lead to confusion for many design professionals, lawyers, and citizens. This session will clarify these requirements and their application to different types of residential facilities, including both privately and publicly funded facilities. Presenters from the U.S. Access Board and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will review differences between Title II and III of the ADA and the ABA, as well as their overlap with HUD's 504 regulations of the Rehabilitation Act. Additionally, presenters will give an overview of the accessible design and construction requirements under the Fair Housing Act that apply broadly to most multifamily housing.

    This session will have real-time captioning and sign language interpreters available.

    Individuals may submit questions in advance of the session when they register for the session.

    Accessible Residential Housing Webinar Registration Link

  • Intersection of Territory Law and the ADA in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

    August 20, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Mildred Gomez Torres and Nellyber Correa Rivera - MAVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Archie Jennings - DRCVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Joe Zesski - Northeast ADA

    The Americans with Disabilities Act sets a minimal standard for providing equal access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. States and territories in the US, however, have their own laws which can provide greater or additional protections to the rights of people with disabilities. In this webinar, learn about specific laws in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands address the disability community and how they intersect with the ADA.

    Register here

    Presented By: Mildred Gomez Torres & Archie Jennings

  • Engaging Kids About Disability Through Animated Cartoons

    July 16, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Peter Quinn, Multimedia Editor Yang Tan Institute, Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA

    The Northeast ADA Center has been producing and testing a unique animated school cartoon series intended for elementary-aged children that is designed to educate the next generation about disability inclusion. The videos, along with a companion curriculum, is intended to assist parents and educators to engage children in conversations and in learning about people with disabilities and the ADA. The webinar will address the development, challenges, and testing of the cartoons and curriculum. It will share how the cartoons are made and give participants tips on how they can access and use this valuable resource.

    Register here

    Presented By: Peter Quinn & Joe Zesski

  • Title III of the ADA and Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

    May 21, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenter: Jennifer Perry, Access Specialist, Northeast ADA

    Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation to remove barriers to accessibility that are deemed “readily achievable”.  The term "places of public accommodation" includes businesses that are generally open to the public and that fall into one of 12 categories listed in the ADA, such as restaurants, movie theaters, schools, day care facilities, recreation facilities, and doctors' offices .Having an awareness of barriers to accessibility, taking steps to determine how they can be overcome, developing a plan to address those improvements (including a time-frame for improvements), and finally implementing those improvements if they are readily achievable, is critical for Title III entities. Join us on May 21, 2024 as we provide an overview of the ADA Title III readily achievable barrier removal regulations.

    Register here

    Presented By: Jennifer Perry

  • Is an Accommodation Forever?

    March 19, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA

    Much focus is given to exploring and implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, but it is equally important to continue to monitor accommodations to insure they remain effective over time. This session will explore best practices for the employment service professional to consider in their work with employers and supported employees when monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of workplace accommodations.

    Register here

    Presented By: Jeffrey Tamburo

  • When the Employer Requests Documentation of Disability: Key Considerations for the Employment Service Professional

    February 20, 2024, 1:00-1:00 pm EST

    The ADA states that employers may request medical documentation as verification of disability, as long as it is “job related and consistent with business necessity.” What exactly does this mean? What are the guidelines for these requests? Who can provide this information and what should it say?

    Register here

    Presented By: Jeffrey Tamburo

  • The Year 2023 in Review

    January 16, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Chris Sweet, Technical Assistant and Outreach Specialist Northeast ADA, Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA

    Join us for our Annual Year in Review Webinar! Christopher Sweet and Joe Zesski of the Northeast ADA Center will look back to notable developments related to the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Northeast ADA Center in 2023. They will share updates on ADA enforcement activities by different federal agencies, new technical assistance materials, and other federal efforts. Chris and Joe will also share what's new at the Northeast ADA and look ahead to some new resources coming in 2024. 

    Register here

    Presented By: Christopher Sweet & Joe Zesski