On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha speaks with Dania Douglas, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program, about the new rule from the US Department of Health and Human Services covering non-discrimination on the basis of disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We discuss new prohibitions on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care, access to medical equipment, and accessibility standards for websites, mobile apps, and kiosks.

To learn more about the new rule, visit HHS Finalizes Rule Strengthening Protections Against Disability Discrimination | HHS.gov

To access the recording and slide deck for the webinar from NHLP, visit https://healthlaw.org/resource/webinar-section-504-final-rule/

Access comments on the proposed rule from NHLP at https://healthlaw.org/resource/comments-on-section-504-proposed-rules-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-in-health-and-human-services/

To access the blog from the Administration for Community Living, visit Final Rule Implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | ACL Administration for Community Living

On this episode of ACB Advocacy Update, Claire speaks with Heather Ansley from Paralyzed Veterans of America about Congress’s long over due passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act. This bill includes numerous provisions that will improve the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Claire and Heather talk about key provisions of the new legislation including a pilot program to alleviate the burden of service animal attestation forms when flying.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha speak with ACB’s Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman, and two members of the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, Doug Powell, AAVL President, and Jeff Thom, Immediate Past President, on all the things happening at the 2024 annual Conference and Convention. Register for the Conference and Convention at acbconvention.org or by calling Janet at 651-428-5059.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha go through the recently released rule from the Department of Justice on accessibility of websites and mobile apps under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act with guests from the American Foundation for the Blind Public Policy and Research Department, Stephanie Enyart and Sarah Malaier. We go over what is in the rule and who it covers, why this rule was necessary at all, and the organized response from the disability community during the rule’s development.

Learn more about the rule from the DOJ at Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments | ADA.gov

Read an AFB blog post on this rule at Final Rule on Website Accessibility Will Mean Greater Access to State and Local Governments | American Foundation for the Blind (afb.org)

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha recaps the California State University Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference with Claire and ACB Development Officer, Kolby Garrison. We go through their experiences at the conference venue, standout sessions, and all the cool new gadgets and gizmos on display at the Exhibit Hall.

Today we’re bringing you a special edition of the ACB Advocacy Update! Claire Stanley and Swatha Nandhakumar sit down with ACB’s new Executive Director, Scott Thornhill. You’ll learn about Scott’s background, his ideas for building new partnerships, and a few of his priorities and aspirations for ACB as he settles into his new role. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from Scott and get to know him!

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha reflect on the Capitol Hill Day at the 2024 Leadership Conference and Legislative Seminar with some ACB members. We discuss particular issues that stood out to Congressional staff, the return to in-person office visits, and advice these three individuals have for anyone that wants to advocate with Congress with ACB in the future.