News & Events

  • April is National Fair Housing Month!

    Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive law, it only applies in specific housing situations. Title II of the ADA covers housing provided by public entities (state and local governments), such as housing on a state university campus or by a public housing authority, and Title III of the ADA covers places of public accommodation, such as social service establishments and housing provided on behalf a place of education.

    Questions about a landlord providing reserved parking near a tenant’s apartment in a private complex, or about grab bars in a condo bathroom, or permission to have an emotional support animal in a complex with a “no pets” policy, are important. However, these types of situations are covered by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) not by the ADA!

    For more information on housing-related discrimination and the ADA, check out our blog post!


  • Did you know the Northeast ADA Center is on social media?

    You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow us on social media and be the first to learn about disability-related news, hear about the research we are doing, and check out exciting projects like our infographics. Like, follow, and connect with us to keep in touch!


  • New Jersey residents: Do You Know the Developmental Disability Agencies Available to You?

    In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Ombudsman’s Office for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families are excited to launch a survey to assess individuals with disabilities and their families’ awareness and satisfaction with several organizations. These government agencies are committed to providing services, education, and advocacy for the developmental disability community. Your participation in this survey will help the participating agencies and organizations identify areas for improvement, so we can all do better to meet the needs of this community.

    This survey is for New Jersey residents only. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, and Gujarati. See below for the links to the specific language.

    English Survey

    Spanish Survey

    Portuguese Survey

    Korean Survey

    Chinese Survey

    Gujarati Survey

    The survey will be available until April 15th, 2024.

    If there are any questions about the survey or if you need any assistance in completing it, please contact Kerry McGrath at kerry.mcgrath@njcdd.org or (609)-984-4516. A live interpreter is available upon request.


  • CAPE-Youth’s Youth Fellowship Applications are LIVE!

    The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth) is looking for youth and young adults with disabilities aged 16-21 to participate as youth fellows in our National Working Group on Youth Transition. If selected as a youth fellow, you will learn and develop professional skills to influence disability policy through:

    • Meeting directly with state leaders;
    • Traveling to education and workforce conferences;
    • Informing written policy products on disability and transition; and
    • Making a change.

    To apply for the fellowship, click here.

    The deadline to apply is March 18 at 10 p.m. ET. Please share this opportunity with others you believe may be interested.

    **If you have any additional questions or need accommodations to complete this application, please reach out to kosmani@cornell.edu.

    CAPE-Youth is a federally-funded research and technical assistance center that helps states develop services, laws and programs that improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. CAPE-Youth prioritizes youth voice when doing this work. It is imperative to have youth at the table as leaders, sharing their experiences and interacting directly with policymakers during these discussions.

    CAPE-Youth's National Working Group consists of approximately 40 policymakers and practitioners and eight to 10 youth fellows. If selected as a youth fellow, you will attend working group convenings to discuss ideas for addressing issues that youth with disabilities face in their communities and professionally engage with state leaders to improve the transition from high school to employment or postsecondary education.

    Travel expenses for participation in the National Working Group are covered by CAPE-Youth. In some instances, fellows will also be provided a stipend for their engagement with and representation of CAPE-Youth for events outside of the working group.


  • Free Webinar - Is Accommodation Forever?

    Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    Much focus is given to exploring and implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, but it is equally important to continue to monitor accommodations to insure they remain effective over time. This session will explore best practices for the employment service professional to consider in their work with employers and supported employees when monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of workplace accommodations.

    Register here


  • Webinar - The Americans with Disabilities Act and Spanish Speaking Communities

    English: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

    Don’t miss the “Americans with Disabilities Act and Spanish Speaking Communities” webinar! This webinar incorporates the perspectives and priorities of the Spanish-speaking audience and aims to inform the Spanish-speaking community about their rights and the ADA.

    It will be presented in English on March 12th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CT and in Spanish on March 14th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CT. The registration deadline for the English presentation is March 11th. The registration deadline for the Spanish presentation is March 13th.

    Register for the English webinar

    Register for the Spanish webinar


  • Free Webinar - When the Employer Requests Documentation of Disability: Key Considerations for the Employment Service Professional

    Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    The ADA states that employers may request medical documentation as verification of disability, as long as it is “job related and consistent with business necessity.” What exactly does this mean? What are the guidelines for these requests? Who can provide this information and what should it say?

    Register here


  • Northeast ADA Center Resource - The Small Business at Work Toolkit

    Do you know? The Northeast ADA Center has a toolkit for small businesses that discusses the how (and why!) small businesses can successfully hire and retain employees with disabilities. You’ll find easy-to-understand, practical advice, along with expert guidance on following Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Visit the Small Business Toolkit to explore it.


  • Free Webinar - When the Employer Requests Documentation of Disability: Key Considerations for the Employment Service Professional

    Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    The ADA states that employers may request medical documentation as verification of disability, as long as it is “job related and consistent with business necessity.” What exactly does this mean? What are the guidelines for these requests? Who can provide this information and what should it say?

    Register here


  • Webinar - New England ADA Center: Employment (Title I) offered as part of the ADA Coordinator Training Series

    Thursday, February 8, 2024, 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET

    Per the ADA people with disabilities have the right to participate in all programs, services, and activities, including employment. Employees and applicants with disabilities have the right to participate in all aspects of employment (applying, training, the job, insurance, and wellness programs). During this training, participants will learn about the 3 stages of employment and the disability-related questions that can and cannot be asked during each stage.

    This training is offered as a part of the ADA Coalition of Connecticut’s ADA Coordinator certification series for CT ADA Coordinators. Credits can be applied toward the national certificate.

    Cost: $25

    Register here

    Webinar - New England ADA Center: ADA for State and Local Government (Title II)

    Friday, February 9, 2024, 9-10 a.m. ET

    Per the ADA people with disabilities have the right to participate in all programs, services, and activities, but sometimes people with disabilities need support or a change in the way a program typically operates to participate. We will discuss a municipality's responsibility to provide reasonable modification of policy (e.g., curbside delivery) and auxiliary aids and services (e.g., sign language interpreters) so that people with disabilities can participate in all programs and services.

    This training is offered as a part of the ADA Coalition of Connecticut’s ADA Coordinator certification series for CT ADA Coordinators. Credits can be applied toward the national certificate.

    Cost: $25

    Register here


  • Intersection of Territory Law and the ADA in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

    August 20, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Mildred Gomez Torres and Nellyber Correa Rivera - MAVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Archie Jennings - DRCVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Joe Zesski - Northeast ADA

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets a minimal standard for providing equal access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. States and territories in the US, however, have their own laws which can provide greater or additional protections to the rights of people with disabilities. In this webinar, learn about specific laws in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands that address the disability community and how they intersect with the ADA.

    Register here

    Presented By: Mildred Gomez Torres & Archie Jennings

  • Engaging Kids About Disability Through Animated Cartoons

    July 16, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Peter Quinn, Multimedia Editor Yang-Tan Institute, Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA Center

    The Northeast ADA Center has been producing and testing a unique animated cartoon series for children in elementary school that will educate them about disability inclusion. The video series, along with a companion curriculum, is intended to assist parents and educators with engaging children in conversations and in learning about people with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The webinar will address the development, challenges, and testing of the cartoons and curriculum. It will share how the cartoons are made and give participants tips on how they can access and use this valuable resource.

    Register here

    Presented By: Peter Quinn & Joe Zesski

  • Title III of the ADA and Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

    May 21, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenter: Jennifer Perry, Access Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of public accommodation to remove barriers to accessibility when the removal is “readily achievable.”  The term “places of public accommodation” includes businesses that are generally open to the public and that fall into one of 12 categories listed in the ADA, such as restaurants, movie theaters, schools, day care facilities, recreation facilities, and doctors’ offices. Having an awareness of barriers to accessibility, taking steps to determine how they can be overcome, developing a plan to address those improvements (including a time frame for improvements), and finally implementing those improvements if they are readily achievable, is critical for Title III entities.

    Join us on May 21, 2024, as we provide an overview of the readily achievable barrier removal regulations based on Title III of the ADA.

    Register here

    Presented By: Jennifer Perry