Accessibility Management News

The latest news about accessibility management, inclusion of people with disabilities
and ADA/504 compliance. Add jennifer@skulskiconsulting.com
to your addressbook to make sure you don't miss a beat.

February 2017

A publication of Skulski Consulting LLC

View from the Ga’an Point Trail at the War in the Pacific National Park on Guam.

Whew! It's been a while!
Here's what's new at Skulski Consulting

OH! my! GOODness! It’s been a while! I know, right!?

How are you!?

We’ve missed you! It’s not that we aren’t thinking about you. It’s more like….oh my goodness…where does the time go?

So, all kinds of fun things are happening at Skulski Consulting LLC. Well….like….we traveled half way around the world with smart levels and tape measures in hand. By half way around the world, that means across the International Dateline to Guam…as they say “Where the day begins in the USA.” Did you know that we have two national parks in Guam and Saipan? We had the amazing opportunity to work with the National Park Service and conduct accessibility assessments at the War in the Pacific National Park on Guam and the American Memorial Park on Saipan. The parks interpret the incredible story of the Pacific theater during World War II. The scenery was breathtaking and the NPS personnel were awesome! It was an honor to be able to work with the accessibility management team, conduct training and provide recommendations for improving access for their visitors with disabilities.

Back on the mainland, we have also had the wonderful opportunity to work with new clients who are truly committed to ADA compliance and full inclusion of their residents and visitors with disabilities, including the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Great Parks of Hamilton County (OH), the Cleveland Metroparks, Commerce City (CO) Parks, Recreation and Golf, the City of Milwaukee, and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

So, what have you been up to? Do you have any new accessibility projects or programs that have recently been completed? We want to hear from you about your successes in ADA/504 compliance and share your experiences with our readers.

Have you registered for the National ADA Symposium yet?

Registration is now open for the National ADA Symposium to be held May 14-17 in Chicago. This is the single greatest annual gathering of ADA professionals in the country. It is THE most comprehensive training event for both newbies and old hats. The schedule is packed with expert presentations on the ADA standards, employment and transition planning. Register early. This event is known to fill quickly.

Access Board Updates Requirements for Information and Communication Technology

In January the Access Board released a final rule that updates accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) in the federal sector covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The rule also refreshes guidelines for telecommunications equipment subject to Section 255 of the Communications Act.

So what does this mean for your organization? Be sure your IT, marketing and communications team are up to date on the revised standards. Even if you aren't covered by Section 508, the updated standards serve as the most current available information in the absence of standards under the ADA.

An Accessibility Online webinar archive on Section 508 Refresh held February 2 is available for viewing on demand.

Cup of coffee with heart designed with cream.

For the Love of Accessibility
and Inclusion

It’s February! Valentine’s Day is here and love is in the air! Being an accessibility coordinator takes commitment to the shared value of inclusion for people with disabilities. But it is really hard to love what you do on days when you are frustrated. Reality is there will be days when every accessibility coordinator is going to want to bang their head against the wall.

What's the secret of love for accessibility and inclusion? Read more >

Google Adds Details on Access
to Business in Maps App

In December, Google announced the new feature enabling users to add accessibility information for places listed in Google Maps. Users can give details on information including the location of the accessible entrances for businesses.

Accessibility Management: Why Do You Do What You Do?

There’s an old saying that you can teach a man how to sail, but you cannot teach him why. The why he must feel in his heart and soul.

We can all learn about the accessibility standards and how to make environments accessible. But do we feel it in our heart and soul?

Are You Following Us On Facebook? Here's What You Are Missing

....what Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has to say about improving accessibility at historic Wrigley Field

....what an ADA lawsuit claims regarding lack of access to the Broadway production of Hamilton.

...what amazing influence music can have on gait training for people with Parkinsons Disease. Just wait till you see the fantastic video.

We’re not snapchatters or instagrammers, but we ARE facebookers. We frequently post news related to the ADA, inclusion of people with disabilities, and accessibility management on our facebook page.

What IS Accessibility Management?

Accessibility management is the practice and process of implementing federal, state, and local disability legislation to ensure people with disabilities will have the equal opportunity to participate and benefit in all of your programs, services and activities. Whenever possible, accessibility management promotes the concept of going above and beyond minimum compliance with accessibility regulations and standards, striving to achieve universal design best practices that meet the unique needs of the widest spectrum of users. Read more >

Skulski Consulting LLC | (317) 408-4424 | jennifer@skulskiconsulting.com
www.accessibilitymanagementnews.com