Did you know that nearly one in four Vermonters has a documented disability (Vermont Dept. of Health, 2019)? This could mean that one quarter of your residents need extra help in successfully participating in civic life. They could have a hard time seeing, hearing, walking, processing information, or using stairs. There are many things you can do to make it easier for people with disabilities in your community. These aren’t just acts of kindness: you are required by law to do so.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), local governments must make their programs, services, and facilities accessible to people with disabilities. This training:
- builds your knowledge about disabilities and the law’s requirements,
- highlights best practices for completing the required self-assessment,
- provides real-world stories about common pitfalls that may foil your efforts,
- helps you consider how programs and services are different from facilities, and
- delivers resources you can use to make the assessment process easier.
In this webinar, speakers from VLCT’s Federal Funding Assistance Program, the Vermont Center for Independent Living, and the Vermont Department of Health explain how to create a more welcoming community for your residents and visitors. Municipalities that comply with the ADA can increase their preparedness for upcoming grant opportunities like MERP and Library capital grants.
This webinar is fully funded by a grant to VLCT from the Vermont Legislature through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Presenters:
Emerson Wheeler, Health Equity and Community Engagement Coordinator for Disability Inclusion, Vermont Department of Health
Stacy Hart, ADA Trainer, Information and Outreach Specialist for the Institute for Human Centered Design.
Peter Johnke, Deputy Director, Vermont Center for Independent Living
Cara Sachs, ADA Advocate, Vermont Center for Independent Living
Katie Buckley, Director, Federal Funding Assistance Program, VLCT
Recorded: November 8, 2023
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Recorded sessions reflect current applications of the law at the time of the recording. For the most current information, members should refer to our MAC topics page or contact us at info@vlct.org or 1-800-648-7915. You may also submit a question on our Ask A Question webpage.
This page may expire at any time due to changes to the laws and/or topics discussed, or because a newer training replaces it. Please do not distribute this recording.