July 26^th marks the 25^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The landmark legislation that provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.

To commemorate the anniversary, the ADA National Network and its ten regional ADA Centers have conducted a nationwide signature drive to encourage people and organizations to pledge to work toward full ADA compliance for another 25 years. Locally, the Hampton Roads Disabilities Board (HRDB) held a two-day training forum on Title II of the ADA in conjunction with a pledge push.

Title II applies to State and local government entities, and, in subtitle A, protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities provided by State and local government entities. The training was held June 29-30 with the first day of training tailored for advocates and the second day for State and Local workers, including subcontractors and developers.  The training was videotaped and is available for viewing on the HRPDC YouTube Channel. Attendees of both days learned about the key components of Title II including:

• Basic Principles
• Reasonable Modification of Policies and Procedures
• Service Animals
• Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
• Communicating with People Who Have Disabilities, and
• Grievance process.

The HRPDC Board presented the HRDB with a proclamation during its Quarterly Meeting on July 16, 2015 that acknowledged the ADA’s 25^th Anniversary and reaffirmed the region’s commitment to work toward ADA compliance. HRDB Chair, Shirley Confino-Rehder accepted the proclamation and spoke to the HRPDC Board about the continued importance of the ADA and recent accomplishments of HRDB in furthering education and outreach to regional individuals and agencies.

For more information related to the HRDB, local training and outreach related to the ADA, contact Shernita Bethea, HRPDC Housing and Human Services Administrator, by phone 757-420-8300 or email, sbethea@hrpdcva.gov