Information and the Latest News on the ADA for the Public
and the Media for July 26, 2013 Anniversary
(Atlanta, GA – July 9, 2013) –Celebrations of the July 26, 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President George H. Bush will take place across the nation during the week of July 22-28, 2013.
The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA and ADAAA also assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.
To celebrate this milestone, the Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and a member of the ADA National Network, has created an ADA Anniversary Tool Kit for use by the public and the media through the ADA Anniversary website (ADAanniversary.org). The Tool Kit contains:
- background and history on the ADA;
- information about the Supreme Court’s July 1999 Olmstead Decision prohibiting the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities;
- disability statistics; and
- other resources on the ADA.
“Since 1991, the 10 Regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network have worked to change the landscape for individuals with disabilities by providing free, confidential and accurate information, resources and training to businesses, employers and state and local governments on their responsibilities under the ADA, “ said Pamela Williamson, Director of the Southeast ADA Center. “We also provide free and confidential answers to questions asked by people with disabilities, their families and other advocates. Recently these have included calls from veterans living in the 8-state Southeast Region, home to the highest number of military bases in the United States.
“Because of the outreach, training and technical assistance the Network has done to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA, people with disabilities now have access to buildings, programs, and opportunities for competitive employment. And their opportunities for full participation in community life are increasing every day.”
The ADA National Network’s 10 Regional ADA Centers receive hundreds of calls on their toll free number: 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty) that connects callers to the ADA Center serving their region. The ADA National Network is the “go to” resource for information, guidance and training on the ADA and its implementation — call toll free 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty) or visit their website at adata.org.
About the Southeast ADA Center
The Southeast ADA Center is a grant project of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University. The Center answers questions, provides training and materials about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Center serves an eight-state geographic region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. As part of the ADA National Network sponsored by grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Southeast ADA Center is one of 10 regional centers offering training and technical assistance to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA, including information about the rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of businesses as well as state and helpful resource. For more information, visit the Southeast ADA Center website (ADAsoutheast.org).
About the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University
The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, former dean of SU’s School of Education and a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. Given the strong ties between one’s ability to earn income and fully participate in their communities, BBI’s work focuses on two interconnected Innovation Areas: Economic Participation and Community Participation. Through program development, research, and public policy guidance in these Innovation Areas, BBI advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities. BBI has offices in Syracuse, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. For more information, visit the Burton Blatt Institute website (bbi.syr.edu).
About the ADA National Network
The ADA National Network is the “go to” resource for information, guidance and training on the ADA and its implementation. The Network consists of ten regional centers located throughout the United States that provide services and assistance tailored to meet the needs of local businesses, government and individuals. The ADA National Network is not an enforcement or regulatory agency—but rather a helpful resource. Contact the ADA National Network with questions on the Americans with Disabilities Act or to find a Regional ADA National Network Center near by calling 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty). All calls are confidential. Visit the ADA National Network website for links to extensive ADA information and training opportunities (www.adata.org).
Contact:
Southeast ADA Center
ADAsoutheast@law.syr.edu
404-541-9001 (voice/tty)