April is Autism Acceptance Month!

 

Pacific ADA Updates, April 2024

April is Autism Acceptance Month! There are many benefits to hiring neurodivergent people. More and more companies are now looking to add autistic people to their workforce because of their unique perspectives. The facts don’t lie: from better financial performance and increased productivity to improved company culture, hiring neurodivergent people is good for everyone! The following resources provide helpful information on hiring and supporting employees on the autism spectrum:  Autism research and resources (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Neurodiversity in the workplace (Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion) About autism spectrum (Job Accommodation Network) Real work for real pay: a self-advocate’s guide to employment policy (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) As always, reach out to us if you need help! Many individuals with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are protected under the ADA. If you have any questions about these resources or any other ADA-related inquiries, please contact us. The Pacific ADA Center's website is also full of up-to-date, useful information and resources.

The Pacific ADA Center has a new resource to share! Enjoy and share our new infographic on Service Animals & The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)   Supporting employees with Long COVID: a guide for employers - An Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) news brief shared helpful information for employers about how to support and accommodate workers dealing with Long COVID. It also talks about the impact of Long COVID on employment, especially for those from underserved communities. The news brief includes stories from people with Long COVID, a list of symptoms, and advice for dealing with challenges in the workplace related to Long COVID.   EEOC releases two reports on the federal workforce and disabilities - One report focuses on the impact of telework on the Personal Assistance Services (PAS), and how agencies changed their PAS programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The other report looks at how government agencies hire people using Schedule A, and what's working well. Schedule A lets federal agencies hire people with certain disabilities without needing them to go through the usual competitive hiring process.   Share ideas about disability inclusion in very small businesses – The Department of Labor (DOL) wants to hear from people about how to support small businesses owned by individuals with disabilities, or that plan to hire or have workers with disabilities. They're asking for ideas on how to support the success of small businesses and improve job opportunities for people with disabilities.     Vertical Access: Elevators, Lifts, and Stairs - April 4, 2024 Ask an ADA Professional Questions RE: High-Stakes Testing Accommodations - April 10, 2024 Effective Communication and the ADA - April 10, 2024 Emergency Preparedness - April 11, 2024 Including the Arts in Adapted Recreation Programs - April 11, 2024 Disabilities in the Hospitality Industry: Accessible DEI and Belonging - April 16, 2024 Substance Use and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - April 25, 2024 The ADA, Addiction, Recovery and Employment – May 6, 2024     Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – communications services for people with disabilities in prison The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says companies that offer communications services to people in prison must give them access to relay services for telephone calls and point-to-point video services if they're deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have a speech disability.   How we can make AI less biased against disabled people – The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing, but we aren’t fully addressing AI bias. This can lead to discrimination against marginalized groups like people with disabilities. Some people think we need new laws to fix this problem. Others think we need to have neutral third parties check the AI for bias.     FCC wants feedback on ASL and multilingual emergency alerts - The Federal Communications Commission’s new rules say that wireless providers must put out certain emergency alerts in 13 of the most commonly spoken languages in the US, as well as in American Sign Language (ASL). Now the FCC is asking people to share their thoughts on 18 different emergency message examples in these languages and ASL.   ADA charges based on neurodiversity continue to rise - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says that the percentage of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) charges based on neurodiversity-related conditions has been increasing since 2016. Experts think it is because more people understand what neurodiversity is and are asking for accommodations.   Accessibility devices to make solar eclipse an inclusive experience – Accessibility advocates are working together to make sure that eclipse events are inclusive and accessible to people with vision and hearing disabilities. Resources and specially designed materials and technology are available to make sure that everyone can experience the eclipse together.