Association on Higher Education and Disability
Audio conference Series
Session 1 – Transforming Law Into Policy And Practice
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
1:00-3:00 pm

The 20th Anniversary of the ADA has inspired a renaissance in disability law and public policy. New laws, new regulations and ongoing rulemaking will define your role and your office for the next decade. Learn how to guide your institution through this period of change by making sense of how the recent and pending changes intersect with changing populations, emerging technologies, and the current budgetary climate.

The initial session will provide an overview of the changes in law, regulations, and public policy with an emphasis on managing institutional responses and strategies, developing internal and external collaborations, and establishing policies that assure compliance and support excellence. Audience: key campus change agents/strategic planners, compliance officers, legal affairs, Diversity Officers and disability services/resources.

We will continue with a four-part series that explores areas crucial to the campus environment, programs and services. Each session is designed to be viewed with campus partners in these core areas to assist in the development of campus wide culture and the implementation of strategies to move from compliance to seamless access.

Sessions 2 – Exploring the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design: Facilities and the Physical Environment
Special guest presenter: Jack Catlin, Partner, LCM Architects

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Invite staff and managers from Facilities and Capital Planning to join you for a review of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design with an emphasis on the changes that will have the highest impact on higher education.

• How are the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design different?
• What steps need to be taken to prepare for the new students?
• How do you treat existing buildings and current construction during this period of change?
• What are best practices in managing facilities access on campus?

Session 3 – Program Access and Changes in the ADA’s Title II and III Regulations

Tuesday, November 16, 2010
1:00 – 2:30 pm

The Department of Justice has released new regulations under the ADA addressing service animals, effective communications, golf carts and Segways as mobility devices, event ticketing, and more. Create a team of planners and policy makers from Academic Affairs, Residence Life, Student Life, Campus Police, Diversity/Equity and Disability Resources/Services to manage change and ensure consistency in process and philosophy as you provide seamless access to your full range of programs.

• What are your obligations to students, visitors, event participants?
• When are less common individual mobility devices appropriate?
• What are the new rules governing service animals and are they different in the residence hall?

Session 4 – Establishing Policy, Practice and Resources for Virtual Environments: Technology, Web Access, and Access to Print Materials
Special guest presenter: Debbie Kaplan, Director, Accessible Technology Initiative, California State University Office of the Chancellor

Tuesday, November 30, 2010
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Creating, transforming, and communicating knowledge is at the core of higher education’s mission and is increasingly interdependent with technology. Recent case law, policy guidance, and proposed rulemaking have set a new benchmark of access to electronic and information technologies on our campuses and beyond. Bring together a team from the CIO’s Office, Computing Services, Instructional Designer, Purchasing, the Library and Disability Resources to ensure compliance in this rapidly changing environment filled with emerging technologies.

• What are the standards for access to electronic and information technologies?
• What to consider in course management systems, enterprise software and core technology?
• What is the best way to deploy and support assistive technology?
• How do you manage technology, document and web access in decentralized environments?

Session 5 – Documentation Policies under the ADAAA

Tuesday, December 14, 2010
1:00 – 2:30 pm

With the ADA Amendments Act Congress focused on resetting the definition of disability based on their original intent. Congress tasked the Equal Opportunity Commission with translating their statutory language into a regulatory definition that will form the foundation for protection under Titles I, II, and III. Beginning with a brief review of the congressional record and EEOC rule making this session will explore the ADA’s definition of disability and its implications for policy and practice. This session will be of particular interest to EEO and Compliance Offices; Legal Affairs, Employee Relations, and Disability Resources/Services.

• What is the definition of disability in the ADA as amended?
• What types of documentation are needed to claim protection from discrimination or harassment?
• What types of documentation are needed to support and accommodation request?
• What is the role of observation and self report?
• When are documentation requirements burdensome?