Bill Set Out to Serve Small Businesses Who Are Being Threatened with Costly Lawsuits Regarding ADA Compliance

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The California state senate has recently passed a bipartisan bill that is aiming to protect small businesses from attorneys who demand quick settlement money under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill would require lawyers to give small businesses at least 30 days’ notice before suing for damages.

The bill is set out to serve those small businesses who are being threatened with costly lawsuits for failing to improve access for the disabled. 

 Lawmakers are trying to balance the civil rights of the disabled versus concerns about a growing predatory practice.The bill was passed on a 36-0 vote and will now move to Assembly. 

What are your thoughts about this bill being passed? Let us know on ADA Lifestyles Facebook page linked here!

Is Your Project a DIY or Professional's Task?

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When considering remodeling any part of your home, most people debate whether to make it a DIY project (do it yourself) or hire a professional. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has much advice to share with those who are considering DIY projects.

NARI recently polled consumers are found that 40% of people report that the largest determining factor in deciding between hiring a professional or DIY is cost. The second largest consideration is the project type and knowing how to do it at 30% and not far behind at 25% is the level of difficulty.

NARI reports that it is extremely important for consumers to consider all options before starting a DIY project in order to avoid disaster. Some of the most important factors for homeowners to consider include physical ability, skills, time and understanding of what needs to be done. Often times, individuals underestimate the difficulty level of a project they want to take on and also the time it will take to complete it. It is also important to plan your project from beginning to end, including cost for all materials.

Meeting ADA Guidelines in Danville, Illinois

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To meet the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, city officials in Danville, Illinois, will be integrating many changes throughout the city. City officials are planning to resurface heavily traveled streets, fix pedestrian curb ramps and overlay streets.

The city has already begun to make several changes and will continue to do so.

To meet guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, upgrades to pedestrian curb ramps will include ensuring that ramps don’t have too much vertical rise or that warning features like raised texture, are incorporated. 

A Robot Who Sense What a Stroke Victim Wants

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Fifteen years ago, Cathy Hutchinson suffered a stroke and hasn’t been able to do much on her own without the assistance of her caregiver, until now. Hutchinson allowed scientists to place a small chip on her motor cortex in 2005 that would allow for a robot to sense what she wanted.

Thanks to this new technology, Hutchinson was able to take a sip of her coffee by simply just thinking about doing so. The robotic prosthetic can be completely controlled by the mind and even more, can revolutionize how those individuals who are paralyzed interact and in any given environment.

Although the new technology has a long way to go and many alterations are still to be made, this is a great start. Researcher’s main concern is safety. Nature reported that seven people have received the implant and thus far, none of them have experienced any adverse side effects.

Researchers are extremely optimistic about the future and hold many plans in regard to this new technology. They’re hoping one day that they develop wireless systems that require no surgery at all and they’d also like to get rid of the robots altogether. Also, they want to help paralyzed individuals to use technology to move their own limbs again! 

Autism Speaks Day at the Races

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Autism Speaks, Dover International Speedway, NASCAR and FedEx have come together to create “Autism Speaks Day at the Races.” The event will give children with autism and their families the opportunity to enjoy a NASCAR race on June 3^rd at Dover International Speedway in Delaware.

This is the first event done by NASCAR that recognizes Autism and the event will be conducted in a way that is friendly and inviting to those children who are autistic. The event will be held in the locations air-conditioned grandstand, giving those who attend a spectacular view of the Monster Mile’s backstretch. There will be special educational speakers and appearances by familiar NASCAR personalities prior to the race.

There will be designated locations throughout Dover International Speedway that will considered “quiet zones” where families can bring their children to get away from the crowds and noise at any time they may need too.

Tickets for the event will cost $88 for adults and $20 for children ages 14 and under. The number 88 is symbolic as recent studies have shown that 1 in every 88 children are diagnosed with autism by age 8. A portion of the proceeds from “Autism Speaks Day at the Races” will benefit Autism Speaks.

To purchase tickets and for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit www.MonsterMileOffers.com/AutismSpeaks

US Department of Housing and Urban Development Announce Support for Extremely Low-Income Persons with Disabilities

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This week, it was announced by www.grants.gov that the  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is allowing for $85 million available for state housing agencies to provide affordable supportive housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities.

This project is aiming to help those individuals with disabilities live as independently as possible in a community which provides access and opportunity to do so. 

This is the first time that the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 SupportiveHousing for Persons with Disabilities Program will be funding state housing agencies. All agencies must meet certain eligibility criteria which involves having a partnership with a state health and human services and Medicaid agency to provide essential support and service.

The Section 811 Project is aiming to serve 2,800 extremely low-income persons with disabilities. All who are entitled to be served by the project must apply for funding no later than July 31, 2012.

Walgreens Launches a National Initiative Called RETAIL EMPLOYEES w/ DISABILITIES INITIATIVE (REDI)

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Walgreens has launched a national initiative called Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative or (REDI) to help create more job opportunities for people with disabilities. The company has based this initiative off their history of recognizing growing talent and ability through a greater diversity in the workplace.

The in-store training the company will aim to help those individuals with disabilities to gain retail and customer service skills as well as work closely with community organizations and vocational rehabilitation agencies to train and develop candidates. Walgreens has another similar initiative in their distribution centers (DC). 

This initiative involved having 10 percent of the workforce being made up of individuals with disabilities at all levels across all twenty of their DCs. Walgreens is hoping to have the same turnout with their new REDI initiative that they had in the past with DC. 


Phase one of REDI is scheduled to begin in parts of Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. Walgreens is hoping that REDI reaches all states by the end of 2013. Once a local Walgreens is identified for REDI, there is a four-week training program that must occur. 

This training program was developed to prepare candidates for employment in a Walgreens store, or any others retail setting that will require some of the same skills. Some of the responsibilities candidates will be taking on are cash register operations, customer service, merchandising, store inventory and maintain store signage and displays. Walgreens is a company that is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and will continue to do so.

It's National Women's Health Week! 6 Screening's ALL Women Should Schedule!

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This week, May 13-19 is National Women’s Health Week. The purpose of this week is for women to take ownership and power over their health and make it a top priority. It also sets out to try and help women understand what preventive health measures they can take to remain in good health.

Here are some guidelines based on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society. Also, be sure to discuss all preventive health measures with your personal doctor!

1.      Heart Disease Screening. Your blood pressure should be checked at least every two years and even more frequently if you have high blood pressure. Also, yearly cholesterol tests are recommended for women starting at the age of 20.

2.      Colorectal Cancer Screening. Starting at the age of 50, women with no increased risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening, especially if there is a family history.

3.      Diabetes Screening. If you have high blood pressure, consider diabetes screening.

4.      Breast Cancer Screening. The American Cancer Society recommends clinical breast exam about every 3 years for women in their 20’s and 30’s and every year for women over the age of 40. Mammograms should begin yearly at age 40 and continue on for as long as a woman is in good health.

5.     Sexual health screening. Pap smears should be done every 3 years for women over the age of 21 or when they become sexually active. All women at increased risk or become pregnant should be tested for HIV.

6.    Osteoporosis Screening. Women over the age of 65 should get a bone mineral density test if you’re at increased risk.

The Dispute of New Regulations Requiring Public Pools to Install Lifts

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With summer and pool season quickly approaching, the dispute of a new regulation that requires all hotel and recreations centers that have public pools and spas is to install or order permanent lifts to better assist individuals with disabilities is becoming quite the battle.

To renovate certain pools and spas and insert the lifts, it can cost anywhere between $2,500 and $6,500 plus installation fees. All renovations were supposed to be completed by May 21^st. The new requirement for pools and spas could also be settled by adding a pool ramp; however, they are much more expensive. Many hotel owners want to improve pool access, but need the regulation deadline to be extended.

The new regulation was presented by Congress in March and agreed that if pool owners couldn’t comply with permanent lifts or other sources of access, they could buy portable lifts and delay implementation for 12 months.  Congress also informed any hotel owners who do not follow these regulations will be faced with many lawsuits.

Many individuals with disabilities want to be treated equally, fairly and be acknowledged.

A New Soccer Program for Children with Special Needs

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This fall, Fair Lawn All-Sports will collaborate with the Saddle Brook Soccer Association in offering a new soccer program for children with special needs. The program will be open to all Fair Lawn and Saddle Brook children with special needs between the ages of 5 and 16.

The program is set out to promote an active lifestyle for these children. It also intended to provide and give opportunities for children with special needs to participate in athletics in a safe, organized and non-competitive environment.

The league is scheduled to begin in September and will cost $35 per child. The cost includes a t-shirt, shin guards, a soccer ball, a trophy and an end of the year pizza party. 

Many people from these communities think this is a great idea and have many people supporting the new soccer league. They also have many individuals eager to help out and even coach! 

What do you think? Let us know on the ADA Lifestyles Facebook Wall, linked HERE.

Goodwill Industries International to host Virtual Career Fair

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459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

Goodwill Industries International is the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of job placement and training programs for individuals with disabilities. They specialize for those who lack education, job experience or others who face challenges to finding employment.  

Goodwill Industries International will launch an inaugural vital career fair from May 7-10^th. The career fair will be sponsored by Cintas and hosted by Monster.com. The virtual career fair will complement Goodwill’s community-based career fairs, allowing employers around the United States and Canada to refine their recruiting strategies expand their candidate pools and serve individuals who may not be able to attend an “in-person” fair.

Goodwill has 165 member agencies throughout the United States and Canada. They help to create a variety of opportunities that help people gain and maintain valuable employment.

Check Out Our New Video!

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Check out ADA Lifestyles new video! Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, linked HERE. 

 

NARI Offers Some Tips for Home Improvements

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459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is offering some tips for any home improvement endeavors you may be thinking about doing! May is a great some of year for DIY home remodeling projects. It is also a time a year when home-buyers flood the market in search of affordable homes for sale.

Here are some tips from the experts!

• If you’re planning on selling your home soon or even in the future, NARI suggests enhancing your homes curb appeal. Some exterior improvements you can make are new roofing or siding. Interior upgrades can include something as simple as new kitchen tiles or paint.

• Also, adding energy-efficient home improvements are a great project to work on. NARI suggests that installing Energy Star approved appliances can make your home more eco-friendly and can save you money in the long run.

• It is also a good idea to look into renovating high-use areas in your home such as the kitchen or bathrooms. You can transform your kitchen or bathroom and add some life to outdated designs by changing the faucets, adding new countertops and installing new cabinets!

ADALifestyles is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme

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The National Disability Insurance Scheme is scheduled to start in July of next year. This scheme will serve about 10,000 severely disabled people, who will get money for their life-long care and support. 

Some of the populations that will be amongst the first to benefit from this are those with permanent disabilities such as paraplegics, cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome and brain injuries.

This will give those individuals who are severely disabled the chance to have all of their care needs assessed by a government agency. It will also decide the financial aspects and support that that will be required for life and the money that is needed to do so.

Many are hoping this will end the cruelty and discrimination that some disabled individuals unfortunately face.