Sheri R. Abrams's Blog, page 30

Respite For Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers can give the Veteran’s care-giver (family member or friend) a “break” by taking over the Veteran’s care for a limited time.

VA medical centers may provide respite care to an eligible Veteran for up to 30 days in a calendar year.

Families and patients who are in need of respite care in excess of 30 days because of unforeseen difficulties, such as the unexpected death of the caregiver, may receive additional days of care with the approval of...

HUD Issues Notice on Assistance Animals and Reasonable Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently issued a Notice reaffirming that housing providers must provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities who require assistance animals. The “Notice on Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing and HUD-Funded Programs” discusses how the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) intersect regarding the use of service or assistance animals by persons wi...

Can Public and Private Zoos Deny Admission to Service Animals?

Generally, speaking zoos cannot deny admission to service animals.

However, public and private zoos can deny admission to service animals if they can prove that the presence of service animals would compromise the safety of visitors to or animals at the zoo.

Original article: Can Public and Private Zoos Deny Admission to Service Animals?

©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Does the Americans with Disabilities Act Require Malls & Multi-level Shopping Centers To Have Elevators?

Places of public accommodation less than 3 stories high or less than 3000 square feet per story are not requiredby the ADA to have elevators in the building.

However, all shopping malls are required to have elevators, even if they are less than 3 stories high or have less than 3000 square feet per story.

Original article: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act Require Malls & Multi-level Shopping Centers To Have Elevators?

©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.

VA Launches Hotline for Women Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline —1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) — to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans.

The hotline is staffed by knowledgeable VA employees who can provide information about benefits including health care services for women. Callers can be linked to information on claims, education or health care appointments as well as information ab...

What are the Types of Accommodations That Colleges and Universities Must Make for Students with Disabilities

Accommodations for students with disabilities may include testing accommodations like extended time, use of assistive technology, a different environment to take the test to minimize distractions, breaks during testing, use of a reader, use of computer software and/or spell check, and reduced emphasis on spelling and grammatical errors.

Classroom accommodations may including receiving copies of the instructor’s notes and presentation materials, use of a note taker, and permission to use an ele...

When a current employee with a disability is no longer able to perform their present job duties, even with reasonable accommodations, due to their disability, what steps should the employer take?

Under the ADA the employer should reassign the individual to a vacant or different position for which the employee is qualified, unless it would cause undue hardship to the employer.

Original article: When a current employee with a disability is no longer able to perform their present job duties, even with reasonable accommodations, due to their disability, what steps should the employer take?

©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.

You Should Always Use People First Language when Talking about People with Disabilities

Words have power. Self-advocates with intellectual disabilities have clearly stated that negative language leads to harmful action, discrimination, abuse, negative stereotypes, disenfranchisement, and violence. “Retard” and “retarded” are derogatory and dehumanizing terms — on par with the N-word used to describe African Americans, and various hateful terms used to describe members of the Jewish, gay and lesbian, and other minority communities. In addition, words and labels can cause others t...

Does the ADA Require Readily Achievable Barrier Removal in Historic Buildings?

Yes, the ADA does require readily achievable barrier removal in historic buildings. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines contain provisions (4.1.7 Accessible Buildings: Historic Preservation) for historical buildings.

Original article: Does the ADA Require Readily Achievable Barrier Removal in Historic Buildings?

©2013 Virginia Disability Law Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Social Security Announces New Mobile Site for Smartphone Users

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, has announced that the Social Security Administration is offering a new mobile optimized website, specifically aimed at smartphone users across the country. People visiting the agency’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov, via smartphone (Android, Blackberry, iPhone, and Windows devices) will be redirected to the agency’s new mobile-friendly site. Once there, visitors can access a mobile version of Social Security’s Frequently Asked Quest...