University of Southern Indiana - Extended Services: Community Outreach

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American's with Disabilities Act - Audio Conference & Webinars

Conferences and Webinars are open to the public and free of charge. All conferences/webinars are held at the University of Southern Indiana, Science Center Room 1212 (SC1212), 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Central Time). For additional information, please contact Lorie A. Van Hook at 812/464-1863 or email at lvanhook@usi.edu .

Audio Conferences

March 17, 2009 >>Virtual Communication: Implications for Employers
“Go to our website to apply for a job”, “Check out your benefits on-line”, “I will send it to you by email” all are common responses that employers give to applicants and employees when they are seeking information or interacting with the HR functions of an employer. Have you thought about the accessibility of these activities to individuals who are blind or have other types of disabilities? This session will discuss the obligation of employers to ensure that all aspects of their communication are accessible, including that which is carried out in the virtual world. Learn what is required and how to implement best practices when using the virtual world to conduct business.

Speaker: Anthony Tusler, AboutDisability
CEU Credits: CRC,PHR/SPHR/GPHR

April 21, 2009>>Understanding Mental Illness: What Does an Employer Need to Know?
Description Coming Soon.
Speaker: TBA
CEU Credits: CRC,PHR/SPHR/GPHR

2-Part Series - State and Local Government Series:

1-May 19, 2009>>Prepare for the Unexpected: Emergency Preparedness/Evacuation for People with Disabilities
One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizenry from harm, including emergencies. making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to responsibility. making these programs accessible is also required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Join this session to learn more about what has been occurring across the country in this area and best practices for implementation.

Speaker: Representative from the US Access Board
CEU Credits: CRC, AIA

2-June 16, 2009>>Prepare for the Unexpected: Emergency Preparedness/Evacuation for People with Disabilities
One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizenry from harm, including helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies. Making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to people with disabilities is a critical part of this responsibility. Making these programs accessible is also required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Join this session to learn more about what has been occurring across the country in this area and best practices for implementation.

Speaker: TBA
CEU: CRC

July 21, 2009>>ADA Update: 19 Years Later
Mark the 19th anniversary of the ADA by joining this audio conference as we listen to representatives of the Federal Agencies present an update on their litigation, technical assistance and enforcement efforts over the past year. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenters regarding issues in their own workplace or community.

Speaker: Sharon Rennert, Senior Attorney Advisor, ADA Division & John Wodatch, Chief Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division United States Department of Justice
CEU Credits: CRC

August 18, 2009>>Ensuring Effective Communication: Whose Responsibility is it?
Who pays for the sign language interpreter? How much notice is required? What language should I put about it in my flyer? Do I have to use a “certified” sign language interpreter? These and many more questions will be discussed during this session. Communication is central to all aspects of conducting business or providing services. Having equal access to information is a civil right yet many people continue to report that they struggle with their healthcare professionals, lawyers, theatres, educational institutions and government officials to get the form of communication that is most effective for them. Business owners and others remain confused about whose responsibility it is to provide communication related accommodations. This session will provide insight into the problems, discuss case law as it has developed in this area and identify best practice guidelines for approaching this issue.

Speaker: TBA
CEU Credits: CRC

September 15, 2009>>Best Practices in Accommodating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability and Other Emerging Groups within Post Secondary Education
Educational entities are reporting increased enrollment of individuals with a variety of disabilities that they have not traditionally been served. Questions and concerns regarding the type of accommodations needed and how the campus environment needs to respond to ensure that qualified students have an equal opportunity to participate are common on the various post secondary education list servs and blogs. Join the speakers for this session to learn more about how some institutions have implemented programs that have effectively been able to accommodate and integrate these students.

Speaker: TBA
CEU Credits: CRC|

Webinars

January 13, 2009>>Interplay Between the ADA and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Employee leave is one of the most complex and common situations that businesses encounter. This session with compare and contrast the ADA and FMLA and their respective regulations and case decisions to assist employers and employees in navigating their rights and responsibilities under these two statutes.
CEU Credits: CRC
Session Resources:
Handout from March 3rd Legal Issues Webinar session -This the PowerPoint (in PDF) used by Barry Taylor and Alan Goldstein in their session on Disparate Treatment and Disparate Impact. If an accessible version is needed, please e-mail us.

Equip for Equality · Advancing the Human & Civil Rights of People with Disabilities in Illinois -Barry Taylor and Alan Goldstein, the trainers, are attorneys with Equip for Equality, Illinois Protection and Advocacy Service.

March 3, 2009>>Disparate Treatment vs. Disparate Impact
Workplace rules that are neutral on their face may still violate the ADA because they negatively impact people with disabilities. This session will review the legal concepts of disparate treatment and disparate impact, as well as discuss ADA cases decided under these two theories.
CEU Credits: CRC

April 28, 2009>>Legal Update on Major Life Activities
What constitutes a major life activity under the ADA has been a source of extensive litigation. This session will review the ADA, its regulations, and recent case law decisions interpreting various major life activities. A discussion of the new ADA Amendments Act and its impact on this issue will also be included.
Speaker:
CEU Credits: CRC

June 30, 2009>>Legal Update on Title III Case Law
The ADA obligations of a business extend beyond its employees and include its customers as well. Title III requirements are not limited to addressing physical barriers, but also can include a business’ website, policies and services. This session will discuss Title III of the ADA, its regulations and recent case law decisions affecting businesses and their customers.
CEU Credits: CRC

September 22, 2009>>Pretext Cases: Sound Business Decision or Discriminatory Action?
In many ADA cases, employees assert disability discrimination while employers claim their actions were based on a legitimate business decisions. This session will review the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on what constitutes pretext of discrimination and discuss subsequent ADA cases addressing this issue.
CEU Credits: CRC