Pre-Conference---Monday , May 12th : 9:00-11:00 (Optional)

Pre-conference offers introductory sessions to ensure newcomers to the ADA, or those wanting a refresher, are well prepared for the conference break-out sessions. An advanced session in Case Law is also being offered.
Note: An additional $50.00 is charged to attend the pre-conference.

Overview of the ADA--Julie Brinkhoff--DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
This session is designed for newcomers to the ADA. It will provide a brief background of the ADA, an overview of who is covered under the ADA, what entities must comply with the ADA and explain key concepts of the law. This session is a must if you are new to the ADA or have limited knowledge of the law.

Introduction to ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)--Ray Petty, DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
This session will outline the requirements of the existing ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the new ADAAG that is currently under review by the Department of Justice. If you are planning to attend other sessions pertaining to facility access and do not have a working knowledge of ADAAG, this session is highly recommended.

Introduction to Employment Provisions of the ADA (Title I)--Amy Desenberg Wines--DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
This introductory session will outline the employment rights of people with disabilities and employers responsibilities. It is designed for people with limited knowledge of Title I, the employment provisions of the ADA. The session is highly recommended for attendees who are unfamiliar with Title I and plan to attend sessions from Track 1 (Employment) during the conference.

Advanced Case Law--Barry Taylor, Equip for Equality
Barry Taylor will provide a detailed discussion of significant cases and their impact on implementation of the ADA. A major focus of this session will be upcoming Supreme Court cases. This session is for those participants who have a relatively strong background in the ADA.

Session Descriptions

Session A: Monday, May 12th--3:00-4:30

Title I Provisions of the ADA--J. Aaron McCullough, Attorney
This session will provide an in-depth discussion of the employment regulations and guidelines under Title I of the ADA. Major court cases that have effected interpretation and implementation of the employment provisions of the ADA will be discussed in detail.

ADAAG, IBC & State Building Codes--Marsha Mazz, U.S. Access Board
ADA accessibility guidelines, ADA accessibility standards, model building codes, state building codes--what should be followed? Panelists of this session will help to "demystify" the world of building codes and standards. A review of the relationship between the various codes and standards and the process involved with their development will be provided.

Title II Provisions of the ADA----Sally Conway--U.S. Department of Justice
Title II of the ADA covers the programs and services of public entities. This session will discuss the responsibilities state and local governments have under the ADA to ensure equal access to facilities, programs and services.

Responsibilities of an ADA Coordinator--Francine Wai, Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board and Erica Jones, DBTAC-Pacific ADA Center
This position bears the full responsibility of implementing the ADA within a Title II entity. Providing leadership and motivation to the community and staff while maintaining current knowledge is a tough and demanding job. Harnessing necessary resources and networking with colleagues is the key to success in this position. Attend this session to maximize your understanding of the law, actions required for success and an opportunity to learn from the experts, including your colleagues

Effective Advocacy Strategies--Robin Jones--DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center
Filing complaints and lawsuits are not the only way individuals with disabilities can assure enforcement of their rights. Effective advocacy is an important part of citizenship, and a powerful tool, that all individuals can learn to use. This session will discuss some of the basic methods and strategies that citizens should know about when advocating for disability rights or for any other issues.

Air Carriers Access Act--Pam Williamson--DBTAC-Southeast ADA Center
In 1986 Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act, requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop new regulations which ensure that persons with disabilities will be treated without discrimination in a way consistent with the safe carriage of all passengers. The resulting Air Carrier Access rules are designed to minimize the special problems that travelers with disabilities face as they negotiate their way through the nation's complex air travel system. This session will clearly explain the Air Carriers Access Act regulations including the responsibilities of the traveler, the carriers, the airport operators, and contractors, who collectively make up the system which moves over one million passengers per day.

Building the Business Buy-In for Employment of People with Disabilities--Beth Butler, U.S. Business Leadership Network
How are businesses engaged with disability employment and accommodation? The US Business Leadership, representing more than 5000 employers, believes that "Business Knows Business Best". The USBLN is the only national disability organization that was created for business by business. Networking together, USBLN members share best practices and look for innovative solutions to recruiting, retention and promotion of people with disabilities as well as promote the opportunity to provide products and services to the disability community. Beth Butler, USBLN Officer, will update attendees on the organization, offer suggestions on how to work together and share some current best practice business stories.

Session B.: Tuesday, May 13th--9:15-10:45

ADA Update--Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is the enforcement agency for the employment provisions (Title I) of the ADA. This session will cover the activities of the EEOC and provide an update of current department priorities and initiatives. Topics to be addressed include: What recent ADA lawsuits has the EEOC filed? What are the most common legal mistakes managers are making when processing accommodation requests under the ADA? What are the best practices that will help you avoid these pitfalls? What are the new EEOC regulations and enforcement guidance regarding disability accommodation? When are accommodations such as tele-work or reassignment appropriate to allow equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities?

Accessibility Technical Assistance Forum---Marsha Mazz, Bill Botten, Lois Thibault, U.S. Access Board
A panelist of accessibility specialists from the Access Board and the DBTAC's will be available for your questions. This is your chance to get an answer to a "burning question" on ADAAG or the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines (or try to stump the "experts!)

DOJ Update--Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice
The Department of Justice is the enforcement agent for the state & local government and public accommodation sections of the ADA. This session will discuss current department initiatives and priorities.

Planning for Success--Dolores Gonzales, City of Austin, TX
The ADA requires communities to develop a transition plan to achieve ADA compliance. However, developing a transition plan is only the first step in achieving ADA compliance goals. This session covers self-evaluation, developing a transition plan and developing on-going assessment and evaluation to turn plans into reality.

Disaster Preparedness--Glen White, University of Kansas
Glen White has established an international reputation on the issue of disaster preparedness. As events in recent years, namely Katrina, have proved, this issue cannot be ignored by state and local government officials. This session will identify steps communities can take to prepare for disasters and actions that should be taken during disasters.

Service Animals--Susan Duncan
Service animals are becoming more common place in public places. However, there are many myths about what service animals are, who may have them, the laws that apply to them as well as how to implement those laws. This session clarifies the legal guidelines pertaining to service animals and provides a forum for participant discussion.

ADA Restoration--Andy Imparato, American Association of People with Disabilities
This session will explain what the ADA Restoration Act is, what it entails, and why it is so critically important to restore the interpretation of the ADA to Congress's original intent. If you want to know more about one of the most important issues pertaining to the future of the ADA, come to this session.

Session C: Tuesday, May 13th--11:00-12:30

Job Description & Analysis--Amy Desenberg-Wines--DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
Although the ADA does not require that employers develop or maintain job descriptions, an accurate comprehensive job description can make life much easier for employers. Job descriptions serve a multitude of purposes, and the better they are written, the more useful they are. Job descriptions provide clear, written expectations that document essential functions of a position as well as qualification requirements. From hiring to firing, well-written job descriptions are worth the effort. Come to this session if you're interested in learning about job analysis and the development and utilization of quality job descriptions.

Pedestrian Access--Lois Thibault, U.S. Access Board
When ramps, sidewalks and curb cuts are not designed with consideration to the needs of individuals with disabilities, getting around town can be challenging, if not impossible. This session will discuss difficulties often encountered in relation to pedestrian access and provide information on best practices of accessible design for the public right of way.

ADA Challenges for Code Officials--Rich Sternadori, DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
This session examines the accessibility guidelines of the ADA as a "building code" with an emphasis on the areas that often pose challenges to code officials.

Accessible E-Government-- Tim Creagan, U.S. Access Board
Local and state governments now routinely use websites to provide information and services to their citizens. As governments large and small move toward providing more services online via websites, they must insure that people with disabilities can access these services. This session outlines local and state governments responsibilities when developing websites including Department of Justice and Section 508 guidelines.

Strategies for Rural Communities--Don Brandon, DBTAC-Northwest ADA Center
Rural communities have unique needs and challenges in regard to implementing the ADA. Don Brandon will bring his years of experience in working with rural communities to implement ADA compliance to provide insight into what works, what doesn't work and best practices that fit the needs of rural communities.

Pre-employment Issues for People with Disabilities--Randi Turner, Texas Dept.of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
This session will focus on issues that people with disabilities need to consider when seeking employment. A major focus of the session will be on the decision to disclose disability. There are a number of key factors to consider when making the determination of "when" or "if" to disclose. Many consumers are not trained on how to make this determination and need the appropriate tools to be able to make informed decisions about "if" and "when" to disclose

ADA Case Law--J. Aaron McCullough, Attorney
This session will discuss significant Title II and III court cases as well as their impact on interpretation of ADA.

Session D: Tuesday, May 13th--2:00-3:30

Reasonable Accommodation--Linda Batiste, Job Accommodation Network
This session addresses legal and practical issues around reasonable accommodation. Participants learn about the legal rights and responsibilities of both employees and employers. Participants are encouraged to bring questions about negotiating reasonable accommodation, identifying effective ones, and determining undue hardship

Recreation Guidelines--Bill Botten, U.S. Access Board
This session will provide an overview of the accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered recreation facilities, including amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf courses, miniature golf courses, sports facilities, swimming pools and spas. Additionally, an overview of the proposed accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered outdoor developed areas including, trails, camping and picnic facilities, and beaches will be provided.

Common Mistakes Leading to Lawsuits--J. Aaron McCullough, Attorney
In this session, Aaron McCullough will look at some of the common mistakes state and local governments make that lead to ADA lawsuits. This session will assist government planners in preventing mistakes that can lead to costly lawsuits.

Model Cities--Dolores Gonzales, City of Austin, Texas
Dolores Gonzales, ADA Coordinator for the city of Austin, Texas has presented throughout the nation on creating accessible cities. This session focuses on her own city--Austin, Texas, examining physical access, program access and overall inclusion of people with disabilities as well as other "model cities" recognized by the National Organization on Disabilities (NOD).

Personal Attendants/Olmstead--Kirsten Dunham and Kim Barge, Paraquad, Inc.
This session will review the Olmstead opinion and then provide updates on how the lower courts are enforcing the right to receive Medicaid long-term care services, including personal care attendant services, in the most integrated setting ---one's own home.

Disability Humor-- An Important Bridge--Richard Harris, Ball State University
What role does humor about disability play? Is it always hurtful? Can it be helpful? Can it in fact serve as a bridge to better understanding and more comfortable relationships? The uses of such humor include survival, social aggression, in-group solidarity, as well as reinforcing or undermining stereotyping.
The presenter will tell illustrative jokes and show representative cartoons. In between laughing at one of the premier disability humor collections, there will be an interactive discussion about meaning and application.

Higher Education & the ADA--Andrea Haenlin Mott, Cornell University
This session describes the essential tasks and functions of an ADA Coordinator in public higher education. Topics discussed include processing accommodations for students and employees, complaint resolution, collaboration, faculty and staff training, facilities access, assistive technology and policy and procedure development.

Session E: Tuesday, May 13th--3:45-5:15

Human Resource Strategies--Jana Copeland, DBTAC-Rocky Mt. ADA Center
This session offers training on the Americans with Disabilities Act designed specifically for Human Resources professionals. This session offers an overview of the employment provisions of the ADA with special attention to best practices for Human Resource personnel to ensure compliance. Learn more about reasonable accommodation, confidentiality requirements, requesting documentation of disability, and disclosure. Attendees will leave with resources and tools to make ADA compliance easier and less stressful!.

Bathrooms and Showers--Lois Thibault & Bill Botten, U.S. Access Board
Creating accessible bathrooms and showers can pose unique challenges due to space contraints and the need to make sure all details from grab bars to dispensers are accessible. This session will cover accessibility guidelines that pertain to all types of bathrooms and showers and will go into detail in addressing how to avoid common problems, meet specific challenges and provide optimal accessibility.

Accessible Voting---Francine Wai, Director, Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) contains specific guidelines to ensure people with disabilities have the same access to voting as the rest of the citizenry. The upcoming national election is an impetus for state and local governments to address barriers to voting for people with disabilities. This session will discuss HAVA regulations and guidelines that pertain to people with disabilities.

Employment Issues--Hannah Rudstam, DBTAC-Northeast ADA Center
ADA Coordinators of all types of entities including cities, educational institutions, and businesses will need to be able to apply Title I regulations and guidelines to specific situations. The ADA Coordinator is often in the unique role of working with both individuals with disabilities and the organization to meet the needs of both groups while ensuring nondiscrimination. This session will discuss Title I provisions of the ADA and how the ADA Coordinator's role is integral to furthering ADA awareness and compliance.

Recreation Access in the Community-Jerry Heitzusen, University of Missouri Dept. of Parks and Recreation and Danny Baker
Recreation is an important component of the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This session will discuss the issues related to ensuring individuals with disabilities have both physical and prgroam access to community recreational opportunities.

Travel/Tourism--Constantine (Gus) Zografopoulos, Open Door Organization
People with disabilities represent a sizable market for the travel and tourism industry. Yet, people with disabilities often find travel challenging, if not impossible. This session will discuss trends in the disability travel market and identify the types of barriers that the majority of travelers with disabilities still experience.

Examples of Accommodations--Linda Batiste, Job Accommodation Network
This session reviews challenging and/or unique workplace accommodation issues. Challenges discussed include transportation and work-related travel, accommodating work-related travel, accommodating work-related personal needs, modifying workplace policies, evacuation and safety issues, telework and providing personal assistance services.

Session F: Wednesday, May 14th--8:14-10:45

Employer Perspectives on Hiring--Deb Russell, Walgreens
Walgreens is a corporation that has committed to hiring people with disabilities. Deb Russell will discuss the steps the company has taken to recruit, hire and retain people with disabilities. This session offers the employers' perspective of employment issues related to the ADA.

Fair Housing--Barb Chandler, Fair Housing First
This session is designed for anyone with a stake in accessible housing. The session will address Fair Housing from numerous angles. In addition to an overview of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and related housing legislation, topics such as Universal Design and the concept of "visitibility" will be covered. Participants in this interactive session will have the opportunity to discuss real-life situations that face both people with disabilities and housing providers on a day-to-day basis. Best practices from across the country that help ensure the availability of accessible housing will be identified.

Corrections--Liz Stanoshek, Nebraska Department of Corrections
Correctional facilities face unique challenges in dealing with individuals with disabilities. The Corrections session will focus on the many administrative and policy decisions that must be made to ensure ADA compliance, rather that a detailed discussion of structural requirements.

Effective Communication--Julie Brinkhoff, DBTAC-Great Plains ADA Center
This session covers the section of the ADA that involves communication requirements that include visual, speech and hearing disabilities. Examples of topics discussed include: effective communication, undue burden, auxiliary aids, (i.e. interpreters, real-time captioning, etc.) and requirements for alternate formats such as Braille, large print, etc.

Building Accepting Communities--John Moseley, ADA Consultant
John Moseley has spent years working with communities to advance not only ADA implementation, but the "Spirit of the Law". Building Accepting Communities requires input and involvement from all groups in the community, including people with disabilities. It also requires an integrated approach to access that includes schools, businesses, government and recreation. If you are interested in local grass root activities that result in inclusive communities, you will find this session to be of particular interest.

Youth Leadership Forum--Mike Williams, Association of Youth Leadership Forums
The Association of Youth Leadership Forums for Students with Disabilities is a growing program that has positively impacted a large number of students with disabilities. This session will discuss the nature of the Youth Leadership Forums and the impact this program has made.

Responsibilities of an ADA Coordinator--Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice
The position of ADA Coordinator bears the full responsibility of implementing the ADA within a Title II entity. Providing leadership and motivation to the community and staff while maintaining current knowledge is a tough and demanding job. Harnessing necessary resources and networking with colleagues is the key to success in this position. Attend this session to maximize your understanding of the law, actions required for success and an opportunity to learn from the experts, including your colleagues

Session G: Wednesday, May 14th--11:00-12:30

Information Technology and Employment--Janet Peters, DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center
Technology is ubiquitous in most of today's workplace environments, used at every stage of the employment process. Information technology includes a broad range of products used to acquire, store, manipulate, and transmit information including technologies such as software, websites, photocopiers, or fax machines. Many technology products are designed in such a way that they are inaccessible to people with disabilities. This workshop discusses universal design principles to make today's technology accessible to overcome these employment barriers for individuals with disabilities. The objectives include, understanding the technology barriers in employment, laws that govern accessible technology, and steps to making organizational change.

Universal Design--Gina Hilberry, Principal, Cohen Hilberry Architects
The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities. Using the prinicples of Universal Design as a tool for design professionals is addressed in this session.

Making Public Transportation Accessible--Sherry Repscher, Utah Transit Authority
For many people with disabilities who must rely on public transportation, the foundation to inclusion is the accessibility and reliability of public transportation. Sherry Repshear, noted for her work with the Utah Transit Authority by the National Commission on Disabilities, brings her experience to this session. Public transportation issues, challenges, and solutions will be discussed.

Project Civic Access--Sally Conway, U.S. Department of Justice
Project Civic Access, a wide-ranging effort to ensure that counties, cities, towns, and villages comply with the ADA by eliminating physical and communication barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life. The Dept. of Justice has conducted reviews in 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. This session will discuss the results of that program as well as where the effort may be heading.

Small Business and the ADA --Pat Going, DBTAC-Rocky Mt. ADA Center
A practical explanation of the ADA and what every small business, Chamber of Commerce, and small business counselor should know. Key resources will be highlighted and tips will be offered for cost-effective implementation. Come learn 10+ ideas how businesses can benefit from the ADA. All attendees will receive new materials from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, the U.S. Access Board, and other key agencies.

IDEA, 504 and the ADA--
This session will discuss the requirements of IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA and how the three laws interact

DBTAC-ADA Centers National Initiatives--Marion Vessels, DBTAC-Mid-Atlantic, ADA Center
The National ADA Symposium is one of several nation-wide projects offered by the DBTAC-ADA Centers. Learn how the DBTAC-ADA Centers are working to promote the ADA on a national level through activities from on-line training to working closely with major industries. Find out how you can benefit from, or become involved with, these initiatives.