Tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances, and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were once the subject of a pitched battle that landed on the steps of Congress. Told through the voices of key participants and witnesses, the film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to achieve their goal and change the lives of all Americans.
A story of courage and perseverance, the film brings to life one of the great civil rights movements in American history, where ordinary people made their voices heard and Congress responded. A testament to the power of coalition building and bipartisan compromise, the passage of the ADA is a shining example of democracy in action.
The Pacific ADA Center is hosting a free webinar to livestream Disabilities and Disasters, an event put on by our research partners at New York University’s Complex Public Health Disasters Lab.
The event will feature:
Presentation about resilience and preparedness
Data from Pacific region residents with disabilities about experiences during emergencies
Overview of the Pacific ADA Center’s work with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to increase accessibility at emergency shelter sites
Panel of people with disabilities to share their experiences and insight into emergency preparedness
MARCH 4th 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness & Advocacy Day
March is National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Hundreds of advocates are coming to the Ohio Statehouse on March 4, 2025 to inform & educate on issues important to Ohioans with developmental disabilities.
(COLUMBUS, OH)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Director Kevin L. Miller announced OOD’s new webinar series for 2025, which aims to foster both community and workplace inclusion for Ohioans with disabilities.
“Everyone has a role to play in making sure people with disabilities are welcomed and supported in our communities and workplaces,” said Governor DeWine. “This year’s webinar series is another step forward in our ongoing efforts in Ohio to promote inclusion and accessibility, and to empower all people to reach their full, God-given potential.”
“We invite you to join us for valuable insights on how to create communities and workplaces that are not only accessible but also embrace individuals with disabilities,” said Director Miller. “The series culminates with three webinars designed to equip employers with the tools they need to foster disability-inclusive workplaces.”
Webinar Schedule
January 15: Accessible Communications
February 19: Website Accessibility
March 19: Utilizing ADA Tools
April 17: All About Service Animals
May 21: Technology in the Workplace
June 18: Safety and Emergency Management
July 16: All About Sensory Inclusion
September 17: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Inclusive Leadership
October 22: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Attracting Diverse Talent
November 20: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Retaining Diverse Talent
All webinars begin at 10 a.m. and will be Microsoft Teams webinars.
Each webinar will be recorded and archived for future viewing. More information and registration links to all upcoming webinars can be found at Employer Events. People who participate in these webinars can earn professional development credits. More information is included below.
The no-cost webinar series marks the latest example of the administration’s commitment to making Ohio a national leader in accessibility.
Moments after taking the oath of office, one of Governor DeWine’s first actions was signing an executive order establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities.
Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, OOD also launched Accessible Ohio. Through this initiative, Accessible Ohio Specialists work directly with communities, businesses, and other local partners to identify opportunities to enhance accessibility.
Accessible Ohio is one of many ways OOD supports and promotes businesses that prioritize inclusivity. OOD offers a bevy of information for employers, including an Inclusive Employer Toolkit designed to help employers recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities and foster an inclusive workplace.
OOD also recently awarded its annual Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award, which serves as an opportunity to spotlight businesses in Ohio that go above and beyond in supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
Webinar Credit Information
Each webinar has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) re-certification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ re-certification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) and 1.00 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) hour toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. While this training is not pre-approved for CESP Continuing Education (CE) credit, it aligns with CESP content, and verification of attendance will be provided upon request. These credits are available for attendees of the live broadcast.
National Trends in Disability Employment (or nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series — first Friday of every month, corresponding with the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report — live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share the results of the latest nTIDE — Plus news and updates from the field of Disability Employment, as well as host an invited panelist who will discuss current disability related findings and events.
12:00 pm: Introduction & Welcome Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
12:10 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report
Release John O’Neill, Kessler Foundation
The Numbers Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
12:15 pm: Announcements from the field of Disability Employment Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, AUCD
12:30 pm: Guest Presenters
12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.
Andrew Houtenville, PhD, is a Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville is extensively involved in disability statistics and employment policy research. He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 & was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.
John O’Neill, PhD is the director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation and has over 28 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor educator, disability employment researcher, and advisor to state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Dr. O’Neill has been a PI or co-PI on six NIDILRR funded, five-year research and training centers focusing on TBI and community integration, disability statistics, disability employment service system, and how individual and contextual factors relate to employment outcomes among people with disabilities.
Denise M. Rozell, JD is the Director of Policy Innovation at the AUCD. Prior to joining AUCD, she spent fifteen years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations with Easter Seals. Denise was the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for Easter Seals in state government. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international membership organization for the professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a juris doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley.
Ohio voters with disabilities can vote curbside if they are physically unable to enter their early voting location. With curbside voting, two poll workers from opposite major political parties bring out a ballot, and voters have the option to sit in their vehicle to vote or vote at the door of the early voting location.
If early voting, arrangements must be made to vote curbside at the early voting location prior to arrival.
Tuesday, November 5: General Election: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Accessible Voting on Election Day From Ohio Secretary of State – November 5: General Election: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Here are accessible voting options for Ohio voters with disabilities on Election Day.
Voting In Person
In Ohio, every polling location is required to be accessible to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. Polling locations are required to have accessible voting equipment available, setup, and ready for voters to mark their ballot privately and independently.
Voters must cast their ballot at their designated polling location between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Ohio voters with disabilities can vote curbside, if they are physically unable to enter their polling location. With curbside voting, two poll workers from opposite major political parties bring out a ballot, and voters have the option to sit in their vehicle to vote or vote at the door of the polling location.
On Election Day, a voter with a disability may send another person into the polling location to inform poll workers of the voter’s desire to vote curbside.
If a voter cannot mark their ballot, or needs assistance because of a disability, the voter may bring someone to help, or ask for assistance from two poll workers from opposite major political parties.
The voter may ask anyone to help, except for the following people:
a candidate whose name appears on the ballot
an employer or employer’s agent
an officer or agent of a union
No one who assists can tell a voter how to vote or disclose any information about how that person voted.
Accessible Voting Equipment
Accessible voting equipment is available at polling locations for voters who need assistance marking their ballot. Contact your board of elections for more information about these voting machine features:
Join us for a “Deeper Dive” into disability statistics! Using data from a population survey released mid-month, our team of experts will explore important trends and topics with guest speakers each month.
12:00 pm: Opening Remarks and Introductions
12:10 pm: Survey Presentation, Introduction and Methodology, Results and Implications, Additional Commentary
Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is launching a new pilot program to test an app called Ohio LifeCourseConnect. This app is based on Charting the LifeCourse and is designed to support people with developmental disabilities and their families.
DODD seeking participants from all over Ohio to join this pilot group. Ideally, they should be eligible for a waiver. By being part of this, participants will help shape how the app works and provide valuable feedback.
Welcome to the National Trends in Disability Employment (or nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series. On the first Friday of every month, corresponding with the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, we will be offering a live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share the results of the latest nTIDE findings. In addition, we will provide news and updates from the field of Disability Employment, as well as host an invited panelist who will discuss current disability related findings and events.
12:00 pm: Introduction & Welcome Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
12:10 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report
Release John O’Neill, Kessler Foundation
The Numbers Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
12:15 pm: Announcements from the field of Disability Employment Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, AUCD
12:30 pm: Guest Presenters
12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.
Andrew Houtenville, PhD, is a Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville is extensively involved in disability statistics and employment policy research. He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 & was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.
John O’Neill, PhD is the director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation and has over 28 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor educator, disability employment researcher, and advisor to state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Dr. O’Neill has been a PI or co-PI on six NIDILRR funded, five-year research and training centers focusing on TBI and community integration, disability statistics, disability employment service system, and how individual and contextual factors relate to employment outcomes among people with disabilities.
Denise M. Rozell, JD is the Director of Policy Innovation at the AUCD. Prior to joining AUCD, she spent fifteen years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations with Easter Seals. Denise was the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for Easter Seals in state government. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international membership organization for the professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a juris doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley.
Are you interested in learning about how work will affect your Social Security benefits?
If you are interested in learning about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives, you can attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar.
WISE webinars are online events held for people who are age 18 through 64 and receive Social Security Disability benefits. You’ll learn about the Ticket to Work Program and available Work Incentives through accessible learning opportunities. WISE webinars are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Ohio Disability Blog 