Each July we celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The United States has come a long way in fulfilling the promise of the ADA since President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990, and said “let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down”. Continue Reading
News
BBI welcomes Montserrat Avila Acosta, Senior Research Associate
The Burton Blatt Institute welcomes our new senior research assistant Montserrat Avila Acosta. Montserrat is a PhD candidate in Public Administration and Policy at SUNY Albany. Prior to her doctoral studies, Montserrat earned an M.A. in Economics from Penn State. Her research experience spans multiple projects in topics like health, education, and poverty. Prior to joining BBI, Montserrat worked in research projects at the Coalition for Applied Modeling for Prevention (CAMP) and The World Bank. She is interested in the use of advanced quantitative methods to address public policy issues. Montserrat Avila-Acosta currently serves as a Senior Research Associate at BBI.
BBI Chairman, Peter Blanck’s, 2nd edition of Disability Law and Policy released for the coming 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Burton Blatt Institute Chairman and University Professor at Syracuse University, Peter Blanck’s 2nd edition of book titled Disability Law and Policy book was released in honor of the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Disability Law and Policy provides an overview of the themes and insights in disability law. It is a compelling compendium of stories about how our legal system has responded to the needs of impacted individuals.
New Episode 129: Employment Discrimination and the ADA: Insights from the EEOC
Each month, the 10 ADA Centers receive hundreds of calls and emails asking for disability-related information and guidance on their legal rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many people ask about their employment rights or about an employer’s duty to an employee with a disability. Continue Reading
BBI awarded MetLife Foundation-Lender Center Racial Wealth Gap Grant
“Disability as a Critical Element in Exploring the Racial Wealth Gap” Led by BBI Research Director Nanette Goodman and BBI Chairman Peter Blanck, researchers will identify challenges faced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color individuals with disabilities and will examine the role of disability in the racial wealth gap. They plan to develop recommendations regarding policies and practices that limit economic inclusion and trap people with disabilities into poverty.
Read the entire announcement.
Episode ADA Live! Episode 128: Helping Youth and Adults with Autism Build Independent Lives
It’s April and in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, we will talk about the rights autistic people have under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many people who are autistic or are neurodivergent have difficulty with social situations and personal interactions. We will also offer strategies for coping with workplace and community barriers. Our guest for this episode is Stacey Hoaglund, the President of the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Florida.
New Episode ADA Live! Episode 127: What Are Developmental Disabilities Councils?
Description
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, when we raise awareness and promote acceptance of people with developmental disabilities. In thinking about the barriers faced by people with developmental disabilities and their families, it can be hard to find up-to-date information on the quality services and programs you need to live independently in the community. One important resource for this information is the state Developmental Disabilities Councils, often called “DD Councils.” Our guest for this episode of ADA Live! is Johnny Callebs, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Nare Galstyan, BBI Senior Research Associate, publishes book chapter Diaspora–Homeland Relations Re-examined: The case of Syrian Armenians in the Netherlands
What happened to the ethnic Armenians fleeing the Syrian Civil War? Did they opt to return to their ancestral homeland or seek refuge in a new country? This chapter explores the often neglected migration experiences of ethnic minorities in the Syrian refugee crisis. It highlights the multidimensionality and historical complexity of diasporas and situates them within contemporary migration studies. Continue Reading
New Publication by Southeast ADA team – The Americans with Disabilities Act and Medication Assisted Treatment in Correctional Settings.
Studies estimate that least 65% of people incarcerated in the United States have Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a proven effective treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). MAT reduces the number of people who die each year from OUD by fifty percent and ninety percent of individuals in recovery maintain sobriety after two years. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers the programs and services provided by state and local governments including correctional facilities. Under the ADA, correctional facilities must make reasonable modification to policies and practice to allow inmates in recovery to have access to MAT. In this article, we discuss how the ADA applies to correctional facilities and the impact that MAT has for people who have OUD.
Authors: Pamela Williamson and Barry Whaley
Keywords: Americans with Disabilities Act; ADA; Addiction; Substance use; Opioid use; Recovery;
Medication-Assisted Treatment; Medications for Opioid Use Disorder; Jails; Prisons; Correctional facilities
Read Full article: The Americans with Disabilities Act and Medication Assisted Treatment in Correctional Settings.
New Episode ADA Live! Episode 126: Synergies Work: Growing Disability-Owned Small Businesses
Description
Synergies Work is the largest non-profit in the United States that enables entrepreneurs with disabilities to build sustainable micro-enterprises. They provide end-to-end business solutions and bridge the opportunity gaps between the disability and the business communities. Synergies Work believes that empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities can create a more inclusive society and a better world for all. Continue Reading