------------------------------------------------------------------------ ! ADAnet/ADAnews Newsletter of the Association of Disabled Americans ! ! ! ! November 1991 ! ! ! ! Volume One/Issue One ! ! ! ! Editor - Timothy D. Carter. A.D.A., PO Box 374, Pinson, AL. 35126 ! ! ! ! President and Chairman of the Board - Bill Freeman ! ! ! ! Vice-President of Information Services - Marlin Johnson ! ! Vice-President of Member Services - R. Todd Smith ! ! ! ! Supporting Articles - Todd Smith, Bill Freeman, Marlin Johnson ! ! Office (205) 856-1538/Comp. Room (205) 856-0738/FAX (205) 520-0603 ! ! Connection/ADAnet (205) 854-9074/-2308/-0698/-5863 14,4 24hrs. ! ! Published by the Disability Law Foundation, Inc. Birmingham, Alabama ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The DISABILITY LAW FOUNDATION, INC. is a non-profit organization devoted to the collection and dissemination of disability information to the disabled and those working with the disabled. ADAnet is the Association of Disabled Americans electronic bulletin board service which is supported by the Disability Law Foundation. Material published by the Disability Law Foundation and the Association of Disabled Americans is not copyrighted unless so noted, and articles or information published by Disability Law Foundation and the Association of Disabled Americans may be reproduced freely. We only ask that proper credit is given to the author and the Disability Law Foundation as the source, and that a copy of such reprinted material be sent to the Disability Law Foundation. The deadline for submissions for publication is the last Saturday of each month. Opinions and conclusions expressed in the newsletter are those of the author(s), and may not represent the opinions of the Disability Law Foundation or the Association of Disabled Americans. The Disability Law Foundation and the Association of Disabled Americans assume no liability for errors or misstatement of facts within the newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GREETINGS! by Tim Carter Welcome to the premiere issue of the newsletter for disAbility rights. We bring you news of interest to the disAbled community, discussion on the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990, and an update on the activities of the Disabilty Law Foundation. We hope that you will find news of interest to you here, and want to participate. In this issue we also discuss ADAnet. ADAnet is an electronic telecommunications network providing National and International access to others with disabilities on a variety of topics, and also a variety of files. This forum includes topics ranging from disability law to new products useful in adaptive living, and even personal answers to questions about living with a disAbility. Inside you will find information about the coverage of ADAnet and how you can connect. Also inside is a discussion on the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990 and what it means to persons with disAbilities. This landmark legislation establishes fundamental rights for the disAbled living in our society. Hopefully this news will be of interest to you or someone you know and you will want to participate. With your help we can expand this information so all can benefit, so come join us and together we will provide a new voice for the disABLED community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ON THE FLY... by Bill Freeman Most of the things we've done at ADAnet have been "on the fly", so it only seemed appropriate to be the title of my monthly submission. In keeping with that thought, I'll usually get my thoughts together at the 11th hour. That having been said, I'd like to welcome everyone to ADAnet, the definitive international network of disabled people. Our sucess has been astounding. We now cover the United States and Canada, from Queensbury New York to Vancouver British Columbia, from Charlotte South Carolina to Honolulu Hawaii. Our conference list has grown too. We have just over 50 conferences at this time, and we are constantly talking to our network affiliates (you guys!) about new areas we might ought to cover. We've experienced a few set-backs too, but every step back has been followed by two leaps forward. Between massive amounts of patience and bullish persistence, we've grown despite great hardships. Funding. Doesn't sound like a difficult thing to do... its a simple word. Truth is, though, that developing a winning strategy to pay for future expansion has been anything but easy. We started working on funding ADAnet in May. At this time, we're still fighting to stay afloat. We need everyone's help, and have included a membership kit with the newsletter. Politics. The folks in Washington have noticed both the Foundation and the network. Senator Shelby (D-AL.) has been a great help. We plan to travel to Washington the week after Thanksgiving to ask for additional funding. If you'd like us to visit your state's delegation, please let us know now. We'll need to coordinate all our appointments through Senator Shelby's office (we can't be in two places at once, at least not yet). Cooperation. We've been very lucky in that most organizations we've contacted have been eager to work with ADAnet. With our liberal policies about adding conferences to support the many groups that are affiliating with ADAnet, we can truly promise that we have a place for everyone. Our primary goal has been to exclude no one, and welcome all. Friendship. Many wonderful friendships have been formed since we started ADA and the foundation. From our vantage at this point, we see nothing but the promise of continuing this positive development, and encouraging its growth and development. Growth. We want to continue to spread the word about ADAnet far and wide. Over the next month, we'll be concentrating on opening the doors of disability telecommunications to the East and the West, with gateways into Australia, the Pacific Rim and Europe. All of these areas have made the past months both exciting and tons of work. It has often been the case that just as soon as a problem pops up in the midwest, an answer comes from the North. Our progress has been wholly the work of a dedicated and stalwart group of volunteers who realize two simple truths: 1) Disabled people can solve most, if not all of their own problems. 2) A key ingredient in solving problems is to encourage people to talk about them. Many thanks to everyone that has worked so very hard in making the network flourish over the past months. I look forward to a brilliant future, and hope to share that future with everyone one of you, one day at a time, and struggle by struggle. Keep your chin up and keep knocking those barriers down. Bill Freeman ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SO...What's on ADAnet anyway? ADAnet is an "Echo" of files and messages that are updated daily. Through the wonders of modern telecommunications these "echoes" can be received by anyone with a computer, modem, and a phone line. Once "logged on" to the host computer system (see coverage of ADAnet), the user can enter a "Conference" to peruse the messages or enter one of their own. Also available are files of interest in that conference. The conferences that are currently carried include the following: Disability Bridges Golden Years Disability Law Employment Arthritis Independent Living Cerebral Palsy ADAchild Mobility Impaired Aids/Hiv ADAtech Learning Disabilities Retardation Respiratory Big Computer Pals Substance Abuse Occupational Handicapped Digest Alzheimers SilentTalk Philosophy Amputee Nurse Network Job Accomodation Network Anxiety Medical Personality Disorder Epilepsy Optometry Spinal Injury Multiple Sclerosis Chronic Pain Cancer DataTalk Public Psychology Adaptive Tech Safe Space Mental Illness Terminal Illness ABLEd Brain Injury Diabetes Rare Diseases Alternative learning Athlete EduTel Dwarfism Blinktalk Home Office * Look for more features on these conferences in the coming Months. * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coverage of ADAnet Currently there are over 27 Million American's with disAbilities. Our goal is to have on-line service available to all of those who can use the information provided by ADAnet. Our network consists of local nodes supported by an array of telecommunications effort. These nodes can receive daily updates of messages and files through the main sytem here in Birmingham, which echoes this information to all the other nodes. Our network is growing daily and eventually we will provide local free access to all who have access to a computer and a modem. Currently our coverage is as follows: Alabama: Birmingham 205-854-5863 Connection 96/H/V32B Birmingham 205-254-3344 MetaBoard 96/H/V32B Anniston 205-238-0012 Golden Springs 96 Montgomery 205-244-0296 Ken's BBS McCalla 205-938-2145 The Round Table 24 California: La Mesa 619-697-8873 Shenk's Express Dana Point 714-770-5380 Under Dark 96/H/V32B Colorado: Denver 303-650-7732 Hotel Colorado 96 Connecticutt: Shelton 203-337-1607 Handicap News Florida: Tampa 813-961-6242 T.A.B.B. 96 Sarasota 813-377-1470 The Above Board 96/H/V32B Orlando 407-645-1658 FL.Psych.Forum BBS Hawaii: Laie 808-293-9547 Open Window 96/H/V32B Louisiana: Baton Rouge 504-346-1146 Rehab TCS New Orleans 504-897-9204 Resource Access Prog. Maryland: Baltimore 301-882-4481 The Wright Place 96/H/V32B Baltimore 410-752-5011 NFB Net Missouri: Gladstone 816-436-4516 Sound Advice 96/H/V32B New Jersey: Madison 201-765-0164 Pick's Place New York: Queensbury 518-793-9574 The Host BBS North Carolina: Charlotte 704-537-7752 The Orphanage 96/H/V32B Ohio Union 513-832-1532 Med-Tech BBS Oklahoma: Norman 405-366-1449 American Cite CBBS Pennsylvania: North East 814-725-8887 Hoosier Hideaway 96/H/V32B Erie 814-825-8534 Darby Research 96 Yardley 215-493-5242 Buck's Telematics Texas: El Paso 915-594-7806 Sky's the Limit Virginia: Va. Beach 804-496-3320 HandiNet BBS 96/H/V32B West Virginia: Dunbar 304-766-7807 Project Enable 96 Canada: Toronto, ON. 416-798-4713 Canada Remote Systems Mississauga, ON. 416-629-9263 Canada Remote Systems Guelph, ON. 519-821-6389 Hillside BBS 96/H/V32B Thunder Bay, ON. 807-767-5522 Online Now Gatineau, Quebec. 819-561-4321 Synapse BBS Nanaimo, B.C. 604-756-3177 Square Hole BBS * Most of these systems are volunteers - please let them know we do appreciate their support. Without them, ADAnet would not be possible. -Also, if you do not see your Board listed here and would like to, send a message to ADAnews and we will include it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ADAnet file distribution system -from a message by Warren King "Well folks the AFD became a fait accompli today [10-25-91]! AFD is the acronym used to refer to the ADAnet file distribution system. The participating systems of the special files designed to be of benefit to the disAbled community. This will work hand in hand with the ADAnet library being established on HandiNet BBS in Virginia. The Library will be a collection of files that are already in circulation while the AFD will distribute new additions to that collection.... If you have a file that you would like to see distributed to all, you would need to send a copy of that file and a netmail message to me at HandiNet BBS [Va. Bch.] explaining what the file is... All files MUST be either public domain or shareware...." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GREAT IDEA!! -from a message by Marion Renwick (10-20-91). This ADAnet is a great idea. I am looking forward to using it. I am an Accountant with the Civil Service for 24 years. I have a speech impediment and walk with the aid of crutches. I have been Handicapped Employee of the Year both for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The biggest challenges facing the disABLED is the lack of opportunities. In my 24 years of Federal service, I have never received a promotion through the regular means! That should not be. By this ADAnet, we can share experiences and ideas. It is exciting to have a forum where I can share my ideas and experiences with others who are facing the same challenges. This is an excellent forum for the disABLED and others who have an interest in the disABLED. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES by Todd Smith With any new adventure you have to plan for the future. This article will let you in on a few of the ideas that are being established and expanded daily. Over the past several months the Disability Law Foundation has been in the process of pulling together a education plan. With our aspirations high and our pockets empty, we have decided on a multi-phased plan that will continue to develop as funding becomes available. Our immediate goal is to set up a small classroom in our corporate offices in Birmingham, complete with several workstations. This will allow us to train the disabled and those that work with the disabled in the use of telecommunication software and ADAnet Mail Delivery System. This classroom will be the prototype of regional training centers that we will make widely available. With a simple core curriculum and regional training centers established, we intend to add to what we can teach and what other educational opportunities we can make available. Marketable skills such as word processing, database maintenance/programming and basic spreadsheet programming are excellent building blocks for a career. For those who wish a higher education, the Disability Law Foundation has entered into negotiations with the electronic University. This online University will allow the disabled person the opportunity to earn a Bachelors degree or better, in a wide range of fields, while staying at home and near any health care facilities that might be necessary. We understand that announcing opportunities for training with telecommunication software in an electronic newsletter is a bit odd, but think of the thousands of people who could benefit from what we have to offer through ADAnet. Thousands who have never used a computer. The opportunities we are offering are designed to fill a need in the community. Pointing out the need is the most important step in fulfilling the need. All that we have planned so far and more will be put into action as funding is made available. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SILENT KEYS It is with deep regret that we record the passing of our friends and colleagues in the Disability Community. Dr. Joseph Moriarty - Director of the West Virginia Center Mr. Tim Cook - Director of the Disability Law Center, Washington ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements Fact Sheet Employment Employers may not discriminate against an individual with a disability in hiring or promotion if the person is otherwise qualified for the job. Employers can ask about one's ability to perform a job, but cannot inquire if someone has a disability or subject a person to tests that tend to screen out people with disabilities. Employers will need to provide "reasonable accommodation" to individuals with disabilities. This includes steps such as job restructuring and modification of equipment. Employers do not need to provide accommodations that impose an "undue hardship" on business operations. Who needs to comply: All employers with 25 or more employees must comply, effective July 26, 1992. All employers with 15-24 employees must comply, effective July 26, 1994. Transportation New public transit buses ordered after August 26, 1990, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Transit authorities must provide comparable paratransit or other special transportation services to individuals with disabilities who cannot use fixed route bus services, unless an undue burden would result. Existing rail systems must have one accessible car per train by July 26, 1995. New rail cars ordered after August 26, 1990, must be accessible. New bus and train stations must be accessible. Key stations in rapid light, and commuter rail systems must be made accessible by July 26, 1993, with extensions up to 20 years for commuter rail (30 years of rapid and light rail). All existing Amtrak stations must be accessible by July 26, 2010. Public Accommodations Private entities such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities, effective January 26, 1992. Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if removal is readily achievable. If not alternative methods of providing the services must be offered, if they are readily achievable. All new construction and alterations of facilities must be accessible. State and Local Government State and local governments may not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. All government facilities, services, and communications must be accessible consistent with the requirements of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Telecommunications Companies offering telephone service to the general public must offer telephone relay services to individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD's) or similar devices. This document is available in the following accessible formats: - Braille - Large Print - Audiotape - Electronic file on computer disk and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193 For more information about the ADA contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Coordination and Review Section P.O. Box 66118 Washington, D.C. 20035-6118 (202) 514-0301 (Voice) (202) 514-0381 (TDD) (202) 514-0383 (TDD) Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements in Public Accommodations Fact Sheet General Public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctor's offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, private schools, and day care centers, may not discriminate on the basis of disability. Private clubs and religious organizations are exempt. Reasonable changes in policies, practices, and procedures must be made to avoid discrimination. Auxiliary Aids Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. Physical Barriers Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if removal is readily achievable. If not, alternative methods of providing the services must be offered, if they are readily achievable. All new construction in public accommodations, as well as in "commercial facilities" such as office buildings, must be accessible. Elevators are generally not required in buildings under three stories or fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor, unless the building is a shopping center, mall, or a professional office of a health care provider. Alterations must be accessible. When alterations to primary function areas are made, an accessible path of travel to the altered area (and the bathrooms, telephones, and drinking fountains serving that area) must be provided to the extent that the added accessibility costs are not disproportionate to the overall cost of the alterations. Elevators are required as described above. Entities such as hotels that also offer transportation must generally provide equivalent transportation service to individuals with disabilities. New fixed-route vehicles capable of carrying more than 16 passengers must be accessible. Remedies Individuals may bring private lawsuits to obtain court orders to stop discrimination, but money damages cannot be awarded. Individuals can also file complaints with the Attorney General who may file lawsuits to stop discrimination and obtain money damages and penalties. This document is available in the following accessible formats: - Braille - Large Print - Audiotape - Electronic file on computer disk and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193 For more information about the ADA contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Coordination and Review Section P.O. Box 66118 Washington, D.C. 20035-6118 (202) 514-0301 (Voice) (202) 514-0381 (TDD) (202) 514-0383 (TDD) Americans with Disabilities Act Statutory Deadlines I. Employment The ADA requirements become effective on: - July 26, 1992, for employers with 25 or more employees. - July 26, 1994, for employers, with 15-24 employees. II. Public Accommodations The ADA requirements become effective on: - January 26, 1992, generally - August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new vehicles that are required to be accessible. - January 26, 1993, for new construction. Generally, lawsuits may not be filed until January 26, 1992, In addition, except with respect to alterations, no lawsuit may be filed until: - July 26, 1992, against businesses with 25 or few employees and gross receipts of $1 million or less. - January 26, 1993, against businesses with 10 or fewer employees and gross receipts of $500,000 or less. III. Transportation A. Public bus systems The ADA requirements become effective on: - January 26, 1992, generally. - August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new buses. B. Public rail systems -- light, rapid, commuter, and intercity (Amtrak) rail - January 26, 1992, generally. - August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new rail vehicles. - By July 26, 1995, one car per train accessibility must be achieved. - By July 26, 1993, existing key stations in rapid, light, commuter rail systems must be made accessible with extensions of up to 20 years (30 years, in some cases, for rapid and light rail). C. Privately operated bus and van companies The ADA requirements become effective on: - January 26, 1992, generally. - July 26, 1996 (July 26, 1997, for small providers) for purchase of new over-the-road buses. - August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of certain new vehicles (other than over-the-road buses). IV. State and local government operations The ADA requirements become effective on: - January 26, 1992. V. Telecommunications The ADA requirements become effective on: - July 26, 1993, for provision of relay services. This document is available in the following accessible formats: - Braille - Large Print - Audiotape - Electronic file on computer disk and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193 For more information about the ADA contact: U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Coordination and Review Section P.O. Box 66118 Washington, D.C. 20035-6118 (202) 514-0301 (Voice) (202) 514-0381 (TDD) (202) 514-0383 (TDD) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASSOCIATION of DISABLED AMERICANS (membership application) ________________________________________________________________________ Your name (please print) ________________________________________________________________________ Address Apt. ________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip _______ Please send me more information on ADAnet. _______ $25 annual membership fee enclosed. _______ $250 lifetime membership fee enclosed. Membership fee includes Newsletter subscription, Journal subscription, Certificate of Membership, and access to the ADAnet electronic telecommunications Network. *(membership not necessary to participate on ADAnet) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - - Next Issue - - - All our regular columns plus: Spotlight on Computers and the Disabled. Adaptive Technology Review - a minicourse. Developing the Annual Disability Questionaire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - - Special Thanks - - - Our special thanks to the following for their support: Roebuck Typewriter and Computer, Inc., Birmingham, AL. Randy's Computers, Inc., Birmingham, AL. ArtiSoft, Inc., Tucson, AR. HyperWare, Inc., Pall Mall, TN. PCBoard, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT. Southern Poverty Law Center, Inc., Montgomery, AL. Mr. Tom Bowerman, Gadsden, AL. Mr. George Tracy, Charlotte, NC. Mr. Gordon Gillesbey, St. Paul, MN. Dr. Tzipporah Benavraham, New York City, NY. Mr. Jim Winchester, Bethesda, MD. Mr. Dave Whipp, Dunbar WV. Mr. John Reading, Pensacola, FL. Mr. and Mrs. David Carter, Panama City Beach, FL. The Job Accomodation Network, Washington, DC. Dr. Gary Edwards, Birmingham, AL. Mr. Kirk Tcherneshoff, Birmingham, AL. We do appreciate your help!