Sheri R. Abrams's Blog, page 28
November 7, 2013
National Call-In Day for Disability Treaty—November 11th
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee needs to hear from the public that there is support for the Disability Treaty (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD).
The opposition is flooding Senate offices with calls against the treaty.
According to the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), the opponents continue to mislead senators about the treaty and its impact on parental rights and national sovereignty.
Nov. 11 is a national call-in day to the Senate F...
Disability Survey
Are you a person with a disability?
Do you have a family member or close friend with a disability?
Do you work or volunteer in this field?
If so, please take 10-15 minutes to take this survey focused on opportunities for people with disabilities in America.
Finish the survey and you will be entered for a chance to win $500!
Original article: Disability Survey
©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.
October 30, 2013
Social Security Announces 1.5 Percent Benefit Increase for 2014
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 63 million Americans will increase 1.5 percent in 2014, the Social Security Administration announced today (October 30, 2013).
The 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that more than 57 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2014. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2013.
Some other changes that take effect in Ja...
October 21, 2013
Dine for Disability
Please join the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and celebrate Dine for Disability on Monday, October 28th by encouraging your friends and family to dine at the following restaurants in the DC metro area:
Toscana Café
M Street Bar and Grill
Cassatt’s Café
Trattoria Sorrento
The Degrees Bar and Lounge – Ritz Carlton
Drafting Table
Jake’s American Grille
The Ugly Mug
District 2 Bar & Grille
AAPD’s partnering restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds on Monday, O...
October 16, 2013
Are people with disabilities allowed to operate power-driven mobility devices such as Segways and golf carts in non-pedestrian areas?
Public accommodations must allow individuals who use these devices to enter their premises unless the business can demonstrate that the particular type of device cannot be accommodated because of legitimate safety requirements.
Such safety requirements must be based on actual risks, not on speculation or stereotypes about a particular class of devices or how they will be operated by individuals using them.
Original article: Are people with disabilities allowed to operate power-driven mobility d...
October 4, 2013
Important Information About the Federal Government Shutdown
Due to the Federal Government Shutdown, Social Security field offices are open with limited services. Hearings offices remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Social Security card centers are closed.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates.
Due to Congressional inaction to prevent the Government shutdown, Social Security will only provide the following services at Social Security...
Does the ADA apply to owner-occupied inns and B&Bs with five or fewer rooms?
No, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not cover owner-occupied inn and B&Bs with five or fewer rooms.
Original article: Does the ADA apply to owner-occupied inns and B&Bs with five or fewer rooms?
©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.
October 3, 2013
Starbucks Will Offer Braille Gift Cards Year-Round
Since the Fall of 2011, Starbucks has offered Braille gift cards only during October to correspond with national disability employment awareness month.
Now Starbucks says the Braille cards will become available year round.
The gift card has Braille lettering reading “Starbucks” so that blind customers’ can distinguish this card from other cards in their wallets.
Original article: Starbucks Will Offer Braille Gift Cards Year-Round
©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.
September 20, 2013
Under what circumstances can an employer ask an employee to self-identify as having a disability?
Federal contractors and subcontractors who are covered by the affirmative action requirements of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may invite individuals with disabilities to identify themselves on a job application form or by other pre-employment inquiry, to satisfy the section 503 affirmative action requirements.
Employers who request such information must observe section 503 requirements regarding the manner in which such information is requested and used, and the procedures for...
September 13, 2013
Can a medical provider deny a patient treatment because they do not have accessible medical equipment?
Generally, no. A medical provider cannot deny service to a patient with a disability.
As a reasonable accommodation, they may need to provide an accessible exam table, an accessible stretcher or gurney, or a patient lift, or have enough trained staff who can assist the patient in transferring to the exam table.
Original article: Can a medical provider deny a patient treatment because they do not have accessible medical equipment?
©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.
