The latest news about accessibility management, inclusion of people with disabilities
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Accessibility Management News
April 2017
A publication of Skulski Consulting LLC
Mobile Studying
ADA Compliance In Parks

The City of Mobile is completing an accessibility assessment of its parks and recreation facilities with assistance from Skulski Consulting LLC.  

View the WKRG news story about the project.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against New FDR Park

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in federal court claiming the design of the new Four Freedoms Park is systemic, discriminatory exclusion of people with disabilities.  The park was designed to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The design was completed prior to the ADA, but the construction did not commence until 2010.

Read the New York Times article and then tell us what you think on our Facebook post.
Access Board: Don't Be Messin' with the ISA

The Access Board does not want you messing with the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA). Over the years, some groups like the  Accessible Icon Project have tried to lend creativity to the wheeled blue stick figure by putting it in motion.  Others have added a smiley face.  A version at the North Pole even sports a beard, Santa hat and sleigh.  In an effort to curb creativity and clarify the importance of a consistent image, the Access Board issued a guidance on the use of the ISA in March.

The Access Board statement notes, "While the ADA Standards do not recognize specific substitutes for the ISA, they do generally allow alternatives to prescribed requirements that provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability under a provision known as “equivalent facilitation.” However, in the event of a legal challenge, the entity pursuing an alternative has the burden of proof in demonstrating equivalent facilitation. Under the ABA Standards, use of a symbol other than the ISA requires issuance of a modification or waiver by the appropriate standard-setting agency."


Then tell us what you think on our  Facebook post.
New Research Suggests Well-Meaning Disability Role-Playing
Does More Harm than Good
Disability advocates have long held that well-meaning activities simulating disability actually have a negative impact. New research findings now confirm the negative implications in a recent study published by Michelle Nario-Redmond, Ph.D., professor of psychology. Dr Nario-Redmond reveals that disability simulations often result in feelings of fear, apprehension and pity toward those with disabilities, proving Nario-Redmond's thesis that disability simulations do more harm than good.

Read the full article in Science Daily >
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?  

Read more >
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.
Copy of facebook post news item reading Hamilton Lawsuit Turns Spotlight on Broadway Accessibility
People in a business meeting.
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
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