National Network

Information, Guidance, and Training on the
Americans with Disabilities Act

What is the ADA? 35 Years Along

Registration Link: 

https://events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/10862/register (link is external)

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 1-2PM ET

Description: 

Presenters: Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA Center, Chris Sweet, Technical Assistant and Outreach Specialist Northeast ADA Center

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law that was passed in 1990. It works to ensure equal access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the community. This webinar will explore what the ADA is, how it came to be, its impact over the last 35 years, and how it continues to protect the rights of people with disabilities today.

General Accommodations: Open or Closed Captions

Other Accommodations: Other accommodations available on request.

Sponsor: Region 2 – Northeast ADA Center,

Audience: 

Architects/Contractors, Business, Employer, People with Disabilities, State and Local Government, ADA Coordinator, Attorney or Other Legal Professional, Code Officials Responsible for Physical Accessibility Requirements, Consumer Advocate, Educator, Family Member of Person With Disability, Federal or Non-Federal Partner, Industry Representative or Product Developer, Media, Medical Professional, Policy Expert, Practitioners, Religious Organization, Researcher, Service Provider, State/Local Affiliate

Topic: 

ADA Anniversary

Registration Link: 

https://events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/10862/register (link is external)

July 23 – Aug 27

Register for the briefings on Eventbrite page

Join the National Council on Disability (NCD), the federal agency that originally recommended and authored the first draft of the Americans with Disabilities Act, for a virtual policy briefing series on its forthcoming advisement to federal policymakers titled Ground Transportation for People with Mobility Disabilities 2025: Challenges and Progress.

The series will run July 23 through August 27, each Wednesday tackling a different topic within the report’s purview. The series will be livestreamed on Zoom for Government, with links provided in advance of the events. American Sign Language (ASL) and CART will be provided.

Register for the briefings on Eventbrite page

Briefing Schedule (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, July 23: 2:00 PM (45 minutes)

Transportation disadvantages of people with mobility disabilities

Wednesday, July 30: 2:00 PM (30 minutes)

Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies (TNCs)

Wednesday, August 6: 2:00 PM (30 minutes)

Taxis and the need for wheelchair accessible fleet

Wednesday, August 13: 2:00 PM (30 minutes)

Autonomous vehicles

Wednesday, August 20: 2:00 PM (30 minutes)

Paratransit and microtransit

Wednesday, August 27: 2:00 PM (30 minutes)

Rental cars and shuttle service

Technology, Remote Coaching and AI

Thursday, July 17, 2025 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM online

Register

Join Justin Blumhorst from Capabilities, Inc. for an engaging Learn & Connect session exploring Technology, Remote Coaching & AI— and how these tools are transforming employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Justin will guide us through:

• Accessible technologies that support job seekers with disabilities
• How AI tools can be used to simplify daily work tasks
• Ways to integrate remote coaching to enhance and complement in-person support.

Whether you’re a provider, advocate, or just curious about the future of inclusive employment, this is a chance to learn practical strategies.

REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoduqurTorHd2zwuWTTak18qBlaxgLqTth#/registration

Film and Panel Discussion on Change, Not Charity: The Americans With Disabilities Act

Congressman Steny Hoyer

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and the American Association of People with Disabilities will host a panel discussion and screening of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, in honor of the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The panel discussion will be moderated by Judy Woodruff and will feature guest speakers Former Congressmen Tony Coelho and Steve Bartlett.

Join Tony Coelhi and Congressman Steny Hoyer in person and ONLINE in marking the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act.

On Wednesday, July 16th from 6:00-8:00pm in the Capitol Visitor Center Auditorium (CVC 200), there will be a screening of the PBS short documentary Change Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act (see here). 

Following the film, Judy Woodruff will moderate a panel discussion featuring legislators who helped shape and pass the ADA, as well as those who participated in the making of the documentary. Panelists will reflect on progress made, strategies, the determined advocates who changed the civil rights landscape for people with disabilities, and challenges ahead.  A livestream will be available for those wishing to attend virtually. 

RSVP here. 

REGISTER: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/be3f2bdf-4e33-4db1-9fad-09427e14ae44@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2

All About Sensory Inclusion
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Online Event

This webinar will offer strategies and tools you can use to ensure your workplace and community spaces are equipped for individuals to manage their sensory needs.

This webinar will address:

The meaning of sensory inclusion; 

Ways to accommodate sensory needs in the workplace and in community spaces; 

Universal design concepts to create sensory inclusion in your work and community environment;

 Presenters: Cynthia L. Crews, Business Relations Specialist and Tanya K. Vela, OTR/L, ADAC, Accessible Ohio Specialist

Cynthia L. Crews

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Business Relations Specialist

Cynthia is the Business Relations Specialist for Southwest Ohio with the Division of Employer and Innovation Services at OOD. In this role, Cynthia supports Ohio’s businesses in their efforts to hire and retain individuals with disabilities. Cynthia joined OOD in January 2014 and holds a master’s degree in public administration, a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education-comprehensive social studies.

Tanya K. Vela, OTR/L, ADAC

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Accessible Ohio Specialist

Tanya is the Accessible Ohio Specialist for Southeast Ohio. In this role, Tanya supports Ohio’s businesses, communities, venues, and attraction to be accessible and inclusive through individualized consultations, education, and resources. In addition to being a registered and licensed occupational therapist with a bachelor’s degree, Tanya has a master’s degree in health care administration. She is also a certified Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.

REGISTER: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/be3f2bdf-4e33-4db1-9fad-09427e14ae44@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2

Build Your Advocacy Skills! Join the Advocacy Training Series

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), along with the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, is holding three training sessions on advocacy basics presented by Disability Rights Ohio in July. Learn how to strengthen your advocacy skills!

All sessions will be done via Zoom webinars. Sessions include:

The Basics of Advocacy: The Basics of Advocacy: Come learn what advocacy is, and how you can be involved for yourself and others.
July 8, 2025 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Register here: https://bit.ly/ats1basics

The Legislative Process: Learn how the ideas of people become laws from the work that is done by elected officials.
July 9, 2025 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Register here: https://bit.ly/ats2leg

Engaging with Policymakers: Learn how you can tell policymakers and elected officials how you feel about topics.
July 16, 2025 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Register here: https://bit.ly/ats3ewp

Captioning and Sign Language will be available. For questions, please contact the Ohio SILC at info@ohiosilc.org.

This project was supported, in part by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, under grant number 2401OHSCDD from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

REGISTER ABOVE for Individual Sessions

Advocacy Training Series Flyer Posted Below

2025 ADA Celebration Events – The 35th anniversary of the ADA

This July, the Oregon Disabilities Commission, Northwest ADA Center and Disability Rights Oregon will host a weekly webinar series to recognize and celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Weekly webinar series

Join us for online sessions every Tuesday in July from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time (2:30 p.m to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
ADA 35 webinar flyer Folleto en español

Session information

Register for sessions on Zoom

Tuesday, July 8

Striving for educational access and equity for students with disabilities
Panelists will share their lived struggles and successes within Oregon’s K-12 and Higher Education system. Panelists will also provide information and resources on how to navigate education settings with a disability.

Tuesday, July 15

Working towards equal access employment for people with disabilities
Panelists will cover topics on how to navigate and understand employment options for people with disabilities.

Tuesday, July 22

Guest presenters Hannah and Shane Burcaw: Squirmy and Grubs
Hannah and Shane Burcaw are relationship vloggers changing the way society understands disability.

Tuesday, July 29

Oregon’s journey to accessibility: removing barriers
Panelists will highlight how Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act changed disability policy and services in Oregon.