Rhode Island Rep. Jim Langevin (D) presides over the floor at the House chamber rostrum on the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell

Protects the rights of people with disabilities: –All aspects of employment: hiring and firing, salaries and promotions, and training and fringe benefits –Access of public services and transportation –Access in public buildings: restaurants, stores, hotels It is unlawful to discriminate in employment against a qualified individual with a disability.

Emphasizes the role telework can have for expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Helps Americans with disabilities integrate into the workforce. The New Freedom Initiative Goals: Increase access to assistive and universally designed technologies Expand educational opportunities

Dispelling Myths: Hiring the Disabled Myth:Persons with disabilities will need to be "protected" from job-related failure. Fact:Persons with disabilities have a right to participate in the full range of human experiences, including success and failure. Fact:A survey of 811 employees with disabilities found 90% rated average or better in job performance compared to 95% for employees without disabilities. A similar study which involved 2,745 employees with disabilities found that 92% of employees with disabilities rated average or better in job performance compared to 90% of employees without disabilities. Myth:Persons with disabilities might be unable to meet performance standards, thus making them a bad employment risk.

A workplace inclusive of people with disabilities demonstrates an employer’s commitment to all residents of the community.

WEBSITES: RESOURCES and INFORMATION

II. The ADA and Transportation Access Myth: Persons with disabilities might have problems getting to work. Fact:Persons with disabilities are capable of supplying their own transportation by choosing to walk, use a car pool, drive, take public transportation, or a cab.

The (ADA) has significantly expanded access to service on publicly funded transit and rail systems for people with disabilities, making it easier for travelers with a disability to access work and related destinations.

Paratransit: Complementary ADA Paratransit is a federally mandated civil right for persons with disabilities who cannot ride the accessible public fixed route buses and trains. Paratransit systems offer on- demand call-up door-to-door service from any origin to any destination in a service area. Paratransit services are operated by public transit agencies, community groups, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit private companies.

Example: Access Paratransit Los Angeles Operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day in most areas of LA County. Utilizes a fleet of small buses, mini-vans and taxis Shared ride service Curb-to-curb Fares are distance-based from $2.25 to $3.00 for each one-way trip Personal Care Attendants may ride with the qualified rider free Most vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps

Helping Employees with Disabilities Access Transportation Employers can facilitate opportunities to support employees who face challenges in obtaining dependable transportation by offering travel orientation and travel training seminars. An employer can help an employee develop confidence to use public transit.

Myth:Considerable expense is necessary to accommodate workers with disabilities. Fact:Most workers with disabilities require no special accommodations and the cost for those who do is minimal or much lower than many employers believe. III. Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodation: Parking, curbs, walkways Slope up to the edge of the sidewalk Texture on the path Pathways that allow someone to cross a drive or street in a wheelchair Slope up to the edge of the sidewalk

Reasonable Accommodation: Stairways and Handrails The handrail extends beyond the last riser the distance of 12” plus one tread width

Reasonable Accommodation for wheelchair users

Reasonable Accommodation: Visually Impaired

Reasonable Accommodation: Elevator Access

Reasonable Accommodation: Conveniences

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Credits and Deductions To assist businesses with compliance, various sections of the IRS Code allow a tax credit OR allow a tax deduction for all businesses. For Example: Tax credit can be used to offset the cost of undertaking barrier removal, alterations to improve accessibility; providing accessible formats such as Braille, large print and audio tape; making available a sign language interpreter or a reader for customers or employees, and for purchasing certain adaptive equipment. Tax deduction is available to all businesses. There is a maximum deduction per year.

Fact:Persons with disabilities are simply carrying on normal activities of living when they drive to work, go grocery shopping, pay their bills, or compete in athletic events. Myth:Persons with disabilities are "inspirational", "courageous", and "brave" for being able to overcome their disability. The Future needs EVERYONE.

Resources and References firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_.../ Credit: ADA National Network by DBTAC (adaanniversary.org)" U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Gary N. Siperstein, Neil Romanob, Amanda Mohlera and Robin Parkera. A national survey of consumer attitudes towards companies that hire people with disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 24 (2006) 3–9 3 IOS Press. wj DuPont de Nemours and Company (1993). Equal to the Task II: 1990 DuPont Survey of Employment of People with Disabilities. Wilmington, DE: DuPont de Nemours and Company ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 28 CFR Part 36, Revised as of July 1, 1994 Dept. of Justice Information