IT Accessibility Review

Volume 1, Number 12

Breaking News

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

From: PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Throughout October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Labor´s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will profile on its Web site individuals who have personally benefited from agency-sponsored programs aimed at eliminating the chronic underemployment of people with disabilities, as well as employers and organizations that have successfully implemented strategies to hire, support, empower and otherwise value employees with disabilities.

This year´s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme is "Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team." The special Web feature -- to be posted at http://www.dol.gov/odep -- is intended to dispel misconceptions about workers with disabilities by showcasing real faces and success stories. Each installment will include the story and photograph of a person whose life has been changed, or an employer or organization that has influenced positive change. The entire montage will include people and efforts from across the nation.

"Behind the banner of this awareness month are real people with talent, and others looking for talented employees, who are making a difference in their workplaces year-round," said Karen M. Czarnecki, acting assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "Our hope is that additional employers, job seekers and service organizations that view these few examples will be inspired to replicate best practices in their communities."

News media are encouraged to use the profiles as a springboard to develop their own coverage about disability employment-related issues. The roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month go back decades, along with the nationwide crisis of underemployment facing Americans with disabilities. In 1945, Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1964, the word "physically" was omitted to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of people with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and adopted the current name.

ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other government agencies, public and private employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace. ODEP´s work primarily falls into three categories: employers and the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which include education and training, health care, reliable transportation, affordable housing and assistive technology.

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request.

Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America´s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit
http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

SOURCE
U.S. Department of Labor
Related links:
http://www.dol.gov
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-28-2007/0004672276&EDATE

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2008 Presidential Action Center

ADAPT, AAPD, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) have joined forces to create a list of questions to present to presidential candidates regarding people with disabilities. This collaborative list of questions has been signed by all four organizations and sent to candidates, requesting their responses no later than May 31, 2007.

Once the responses have been gathered, the organizations will post this information to their respective websites, as well as circulate them in disability related newsletters, and on national listservs in an effort to educate voters as to where the candidates stand on disability issues.

Disability advocates are encouraged to support this cause by asking candidates for prompt responses and to pay attention to these important issues. What are you waiting for, contact these candidates´ campaigns today, and encourage them to respond to the ADAPT/ AAPD/ NCIL/ SABE list of questions. Ask them to send the responses electronically to Anne Sommers at aapdanne@earthlink.net.

Most of the official campaign websites provide phone numbers, mailing addresses, and online forms in which you can enter questions or concerns. Use one or all of these methods to communicate with each candidate.

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Target Lawsuit: The Latest

The latest info on the Target lawsuit:

Judge allows class action against Target website - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071003/bs_nm/target_blind_dc

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European e-Inclusion Initiative in 2008

Ensuring everyone can enjoy the many benefits offered by the information society is a significant economic and social challenge in Europe and many parts of the World. Addressing this challenge is a key political priority for the European Commission. Thus the Commission has announced to launch a new European e-Inclusion policy encompassing both inclusive ICT and the use of ICT to overcome exclusion. This is expected for later in 2007, spearheaded by a European e-Inclusion initiative open for everyone to take part.

However, we don´t want to wait until the end of the year. There is an advance call for contributions from individuals and organizations that believe they have a valuable contribution to share as part of the European e-Inclusion Initiative in 2008. This could be an event you are planning, a major new initiative, an incisive report or a project to overcome barriers that persist. The call for contributions will be open from 8th October 2007. All entries will be considered. Those received by 15th November will be considered to be named at the launch of the e-Inclusion initiative at a Ministerial Conference in Lisbon in December.

To help spread the word, there will be a briefing session on 8th October in EC Building Charlemagne, room Sicco Mansholt (S1), rue de la Loi 170, 1049 Brussels.

This session is open to everyone including individuals and organizations that can act as multipliers - assimilating and translating the key messages, passing them on through their own networks, and helping stimulate organizations and individuals to make contributions. If you would like to attend this event, please send your name, organization, contact details and if possible an indication of your contribution to eInclusion@ec.europa.eu

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New State and Local Resources Map

The federal government offers an excellent disability-related resource at www.DisabilityInfo.gov. This one stop clearinghouse has unveiled a new feature, a state and local resources map that is designed to assist users in finding disability-related information in their own localities. This new feature enables users to search for disability service organizations at the state and local government levels, as well as federal offices close to home, in every state and U.S. territory.

Please visit http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/.

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IDEAS 2007

The Accessible Workplace: At Home, In the Office, and On the Road

IDEAS 2007
October 31 - November 01, 2007
Washington, DC Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.ideas508.com

The Accessible Workplace: At Home, In the Office, and On the Road

You are invited to register now for the IDEAS 508 Conference at no cost.
http://www.ideas508.com/index.cfm?do=frm.enterForm&formID=1000&cb=2000

The Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase (IDEAS) is the premier event focused on partnering industry and education with government to meet the requirements under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

This two-day educational conference and technology showcase will bring together top government and industry leaders to address Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act specifically discussing the Accessible Workplace.

IDEAS 2007 educational sessions include:

- Integrating Wounded Warriors Into the Workplace
- Section 508 Standards "Back to Basics"
- Workplace Policies
- How Accessible is Web 2.0?
- Section 508 Update
- Emerging Technologies and Accessibility
- Buying Accessible: Updates on New Functionality from the Wizard
- Technologies for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
- Emerging Technologies: Engaged Employees

Don´t miss the practical hands-on workshops and educational sessions complimented by a technology showcase. Register today to attend this one-of-a-kind event at no cost.

http://www.ideas508.com/index.cfm?do=frm.enterForm&formID=1000&cb=2000

The success of IDEAS is based upon collaborative dialog between government and industry. Please help us make sure your organization is properly represented, by forwarding this invitation to others who should attend IDEAS 2007.

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Subway to Pay $166,500 for Disability Bias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Robert A. Canino
July 27, 2007
Regional Attorney
(214) 253-2750
Cell: (214) 289-6344
Suzanne Anderson
Supervisory Trial Attorney
(214) 253-2740
Cell: (214) 797-9021
TTY: (214) 253-2710

SUBWAY FRANCHISE TO PAY $166,500 FOR DISABILITY BIAS, JURY RULES IN EEOC LAWSUIT
Former Area Supervisor with Hearing Impairment Wins Harassment Case

DALLAS - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has received a favorable jury verdict of $166,500 in a disability harassment lawsuit brought against a Subway restaurant franchise, BobRich Enterprises, Inc., on behalf of a female manager who was discriminated against and forced to resign because of her hearing impairment.

The Dallas jury of five women and two men awarded former area supervisor Tammy Gitsham $66,500 for lost wages and emotional harm and an additional $100,000 in punitive damages in the EEOC´s suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division (Case No. 3-05-CV-1928M, before Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn). The EEOC charged in the case that Subway Owner Robert Suarez and one of his managers subjected Gitsham to a disability-based hostile work environment, including teasing and name-calling, because she is hearing impaired and wears hearing aids.

The jury verdict followed the presentation of evidence by the EEOC that Gitsham was forced to resign her position after both the owner and human resources/training manager repeatedly mocked her privately and in front of other employees, creating a hostile workplace, with taunts such as: "Read My Lips" and "Can you hear me now?" and "You got your ears on?"

"I am very happy with the judgment," said Gitsham, commenting on the verdict. "It is important for people to realize that they don´t have to put up with this type of mean-spirited treatment from business owners. I feel that I can now move on with my life."

According to the EEOC, BobRich Enterprises, Inc. has owned and operated as many as 20 Subway stores throughout the Dallas metroplex. Gitsham worked as an area supervisor for Subway, managing between five and 10 stores throughout the metroplex during her year and a half of employment at the franchise.

EEOC´s Dallas Regional Attorney Robert Canino said, "As our nation observes the 17th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, this case should remind employers of their legal obligation to promote discrimination-free workplaces for people with disabilities. Humiliating an excellent and loyal employee because of a disability is more than just bad behavior, it is bad business. This company should have been as focused on creating a healthy work environment as it was on making a healthy sandwich."

The ADA, enacted on July 26, 1990, prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

EEOC Supervisory Trial Attorney Suzanne M. Anderson said, "All individuals deserve the freedom to compete and advance in the workplace on a level playing field -- including individuals with disabilities. Employers should proactively prevent disability discrimination by putting policies and procedures in place to ensure that employees and managers clearly understand and abide by the letter and spirit of the law."

Since Fiscal Year 1992, when the ADA´s employment provisions became effective, the EEOC has received more than 235,000 charge filings alleging disability discrimination, filed more than 700 ADA lawsuits, and obtained approximately $665 million in total monetary relief for charging parties.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, gender (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, disability and retaliation. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

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World Congress & Disability Expo

WCD 2007 CONFERENCE & CAREER FAIR:
The World Congress and Expo on Disabilities holds its next big event in Washington DC from November 15 - 17, 2007 at the Washington Convention Center. www.wcdexpo.com

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ATIA Leadership Forum

ATIA Leadership Forum on Accessibility
Thursday, January 31, 2008 - Friday, February 1, 2008
Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort & Convention Center
Orlando, Florida

The 2008 ATIA Leadership Forum on Accessibility schedule and session descriptions are now available at www.atia.org/leadershipforum! This exciting two-day forum explores the business case for building system-wide accessibility within corporations, government agencies, or educational institutions both for customers and employees.

Highlights of this year´s Leadership Forum include:

• Case study presentations from companies such as Walgreens® and Monster.com® about the driving forces behind their accessibility initiatives and the benefits they realized.
• In-depth discussions on the direction of accessible technology, global initiatives, automated testing, and transforming the Office of the CIO.
• Educational content provided to discuss the hiring and retention of employees with disabilities through accessible online recruiting and HR applications plus how to create a successful accommodations infrastructure and measurable results achieved.
• Informative sessions that explore a variety of industry hot topics such as how state and local government initiatives are connecting communities, successful strategies for work-from-home programs, and much more.

Register today! For complete details on the 2008 ATIA Leadership Forum visit www.atia.org/leadershipforum, and download a copy of our Advance Program.

This event is hosted by ATIA as an independent forum within the ATIA 2008 Conference.

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JAN Webcast - TecAccess Shares its Groundbreaking Disabled Vet Training Program

TecAccess, the leading provider of accessibility and workforce solutions, is pleased to partner with Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) to present Hiring and Accommodating Veterans with Disabilities on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. This session will feature Megan DuLaney, of Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), and Debra Ruh, founder and president of TecAccess. The highly anticipated presentation is part of the Job Accommodation Network and the U.S. Business Leadership Network 2007-2008 webcast series highlighting best practices for hiring, retaining, promoting and marketing to people with disabilities.

From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST, every second Tuesday of the month, the JAN/USBLN Webcast 2007-2008 series features prominent leaders from the most widely emulated organizations and companies in the country. The series provides a convenient educational opportunity for human resource managers, compliance officers, disability and diversity managers, community relations managers and other professionals to discover ways to enhance an organization´s ability to include individuals with disabilities in the workplace and marketplace.

The upcoming series with Debra Ruh and Megan DuLaney will feature the soldiers who returning home from deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with newly acquired disabilities. Many of these soldiers are unable to return to their duty assignments and are recovering at various Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) because of injuries they sustained in the Global War on Terror. CAP works closely with service members across the nation to ensure that they receive appropriate assistive technology for their needs. TecAccess is actively partnering with leading organizations to train disabled veterans. These partners are leading groundbreaking efforts to furnish program funding and high quality jobs for our Nation´s heroes.

Join Megan and Debra as they describe how these nationally acclaimed programs can benefit your company or agency. Learn what these wounded service members are experiencing as they transition into civilian careers, and how these trained and highly skilled veterans are now becoming a valuable asset in today´s civilian workforce.

The fee for the Webcast is $35.00 per Internet connection. Archived sessions are also available at the same cost. JAN Webcasts are eligible for one hour of Continuing Education Units for PHR®, SPHR®, GPHRTM, CRC, CCRC, MAC, CS, and WVUCEUs.

For more information about this Webcasts or others in the series:
Go to:
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/webcast/
training@jan.wvu.edu
800-526-7234 and select Option "p5" (Voice) and 877-781-9403 (TTY)
To Register for the Webcasts: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/webcast/register/

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