Sheri R. Abrams's Blog, page 27
February 13, 2015
What does the ADA term “readily achievable” mean?
“Readily achievable” under the ADAmeans “easily accomplished without much difficulty or expense.”
The obligation for barrier removal is ongoing, which means a business must continue to evaluate existing barriers to determine if the barrier removal is readily achievable.
In order to identify barriers in a facility, a business or non-profit should conduct an accessibility evaluation.
Determining what is “readily achievable” is made by each business on a case-by-case-basis based on the size and...
February 9, 2015
New Poverty Income Guidelines Announced for 2015
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced the new poverty income guidelines for 2015. The new guidelines mean that the lower limit of the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA) will rise to$1,991.25in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, effective no later than July 1, 2015. The current amount is$1,966.25.
The new figure will be$2,490in Alaska and$2,291.25in Hawaii. The minimum MMMNA is 150 percent of the monthly poverty guideline for a couple.
F...
January 22, 2015
Social Security to Expand Local Office Hours Nationwide
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced that as a result of Congress’ approval of the fiscal year 2015 budget, the agency will expand its hours nationwide and offices will be open to the public for an additional hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
This change will go intoeffect on March 16, 2015.
A local office that is usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will remain open unti...
December 18, 2013
Statement of Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, on New Payments to Same-Sex Married Couples
December 16, 2013
“I am pleased to announce that, effective today, Social Security is processing some widow’s and widower’s claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due. In addition, we are able to pay some one-time lump sum death benefit claims to surviving same-sex spouses. As I stated shortly after the Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect.
We ask for continue...
December 6, 2013
Presidential Proclamation — International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 2013
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, December 2, 2013
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Nearly a quarter century has gone by since our Nation passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights bill that enshrined the principles of inclusion, access, and equal opportunity into law. The ADA was born out of a movement sparked by those who understood their disabilities should not be an obstacle to success and took up the mission of t...
November 21, 2013
Does a jurisdiction have to provide curb ramps at every intersection on existing streets?
No. To promote both efficiency and accessibility, public entities may choose to construct curb ramps at every point where a pedestrian walkway intersects a curb, but they are not necessarily required to do so. Alternative routes to buildings that make use of existing curb cuts may be acceptable under the concept of program accessibility in the limited circumstances where individuals with disabilities need only travel a marginally longer route.
To achieve or maintain program accessibility, it...
November 19, 2013
New App allows those with disabilities to rate businesses
The App, AbleRoad, informs people about accessible places and gives people with disabilities and their families an online destination to rate and review businesses.
AbleRoad offers reviews of restaurants, stores, hotels, medical practices and facilities, churches, educational institutions, and entertainment venues.
AbleRoad has teamed with Yelp so users see both Yelp ratings that include such things as quality of food and the AbleRoad ratings.
Registered users can achieve badge ranking based on...
November 18, 2013
How many companion seats at a concert venue can a person with a disability purchase for their guests in the accessible seating area?
People purchasing a ticket for an accessible seat may purchase up to three additional seats for their companions in the same row and these seats must be contiguous with the accessible seat.
If contiguous seats have already been sold and are not available, the venue must offer other seats as close as possible to the accessible seat.
If those seats are in a different price category, the venue is not required to modify the price and may charge the same price as it charges others for those seats.
W...
November 14, 2013
Virginia Income Tax Treatment of Same-Sex Marriage
On November 8, 2013 the Virginia Department of Taxation issued tax bulletin 13-13 which informs same-sex spouses that they will be required to file their Virginia income tax returns as single indiviuals.
Bulletin 13-13 states the following:
“On September 16, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service published Revenue Ruling 2013-17, 2013-38 I.R.B. 201, which provides that same-sex couples will be treated as married for federal tax purposes if they were legally married in a state that recognizes same-s...
November 8, 2013
New DOT Rules Make Flying Easier for Passengers with Disabilities
On November 4, 2013, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), in its ongoing effort to ensure equal access to air transportation for all travelers, is requiring airline websites and automated airport kiosks to be accessible to passengers with disabilities.
In addition, DOT will allow airlines to choose between stowing wheelchairs in a cabin compartment on new aircraft or strapping them to a row of seats, an option that will ensure t...
