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July 20, 2022

The Ally: Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act
 

Tuesday, July 26, was the 32nd anniversary of President George Herbert Walker Bush's signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, likely the single most important presidential action ever taken to support people with disabilities. It reflected what he knew: people with disabilities can live, work and thrive in their communities with the right kinds of support. He did not pity people with disabilities. He worked side by side with them to pass the ADA. May Mississippi work together in that same great tradition.


In this week's edition of the Ally, we celebrate the ADA, share practical ways the ADA can support our children and offer what we hope are helpful resources about the ADA. Please let us know if there are additional ways we can support you or your family or if you have any feedback for us about how we can work together for all of our children.

[screencap courtesy U.S. Department of Justice via Youtube]

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FROM OUR BLOG
 
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) focuses on how to help children with mental health challenges have the same opportunity as other children to live in their communities and homes.
 
These commonly asked questions about child care centers from the US Department of Justice address this question and several others.
 
As parents, we often think about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in dealing with schools. Typically, school-age families are less likely to think about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its relationship to education, but it is related.

EVENTS
 
Do you know a family in need of diapers for their baby? The Oxford Diaper Bank is giving away FREE diapers.
 
Family members may drop in to share any concerns or get feedback from others about handling different situations.
 
The Mississippi Developmental Disabilities Network is hosting community forums in the Jackson, Gulf Coast, and Southaven areas in August.
 
Join other parents for a monthly meeting and online gathering to coach and support other parents in any system.
 
The Joint Planning and Advisory Council meeting will be held virtually Thu, August 11, 2022, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CST).
 
The Mississippi Developmental Disabilities Network is hosting community forums in the Jackson, Gulf Coast, and Southaven areas in August.
 
The Mississippi Board of Mental Health Meeting will be held on Aug. 18 at the Robert E. Lee Building in Jackson.
 
This hour is open for any family member to drop in for all or some of the time to ask questions or get feedback about IEP issues.
 
Families and professionals are encouraged to attend the EHDI AC quarterly meeting. Public comments may be shared during the meeting.

RESOURCES
 
There are some protections for parents in all of these areas but they do not all fall under the ADA. However, using the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 and state laws, as well as the ADA, parents who work for covered employers can weave together some protections in all of these areas.
 
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Health care organizations that provide services to the public are covered by the ADA.
 
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination at school and at work. Learn how this law can help your child.
 
The following resources highlight some of the unique challenges and best practices of working toward reunification with a parent who has a disability.