Greenwich Disabilities Advocacy Committee - FSAC4PwD

You are cordially invited.
July 31st at 10:00 am we will be marking the Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by former President George H.W. Bush at 10 am outside the restoration hardware on Greenwich Avenue.

Good dog! The high standards of behavior required for guide dogs goes far beyond that of ordinary pets. It takes almost two years to prepare a guide dog for its work. A significant amount of that time is spent gradually exposing the dog to a variety of public places and modes of transportation. This extensive focus on socialization enables guide dogs to calmly and reliably perform their essential duties in all types of settings, and ensures that venues like busy restaurants and crowded buses will not trigger fearful or anxious behaviors such as uncontrolled barking, vicious growling, jumping on other people, or getting away from the handler. High standards of behavior also help to differentiate legitimate service animals from those whose owners make false claims about a dog’s status in order to gain access or avoid “pet” fees.

Download our educational flyer about how to recognize

legitimate service animals at https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/flyer-description/

For Greenwich, $799,200 is going toward improving pedestrian safety at three intersections in Central Greenwich. The project includes the installation of accessible pedestrian signal push buttons, pedestrian signals, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sid. ewalk ramps, pavement markings and related signage.

Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps, pavement markings and related signage. Please don’t tell the Republicans on the finance board.

Three Fairfield County towns receive state funding for infrastructure projects to help pedestrians

Three Fairfield County towns receive state funding for infrastructure projects to help pedestrians Pedestrians in three Fairfield County towns will have an easier time of it thanks to grants from the state for infrastructure projects.

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th at 10:30 am in the Stamford Government Center Lobby for a ceremony honoring the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

But, does the Republican members of the finance board know the funds will be used for fixing curb ramps and making them ADA compliant? Obstructionist RTM members might balk at state grant money too.

Greenwich Receives $799K For Pedestrian Safety Improvements The grant is being awarded through the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Community Connectivity Grant Program.

This is a great place to learn how to make an ADA complaint with the Federal Department of Justice.

The ADA National Network provides information and training about the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes information about how to file an ADA complaint with the Department of Justice. Review the process here: https://adata.org/faq/how-can-i-file-ada-complaint-us-department-justice

What will it be safe for women in high heel shoes?

Near Norwalk-Darien border, new sidewalks are transforming Rowayton Avenue: 'Community connectivity

Near Norwalk-Darien border, new sidewalks are transforming Rowayton Avenue: 'Community connectivity' Construction crews are working on the new sidewalk along Rowayton Avenue, part of a project to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity in the neighborhood.

Have questions about accessible parking? Review our fact sheet for guidance about how many accessible parking spots are needed, what signage is required, maintenance needs, and more here: https://adata.org/factsheet/parking

As diagnoses of autism rise, Microsoft and other large companies are working to better support autistic workers so they can thrive without “masking.”
Employees With Autism Find New Ways to Navigate the Workplace

Employees With Autism Find New Ways to Navigate the Workplace As diagnoses of autism rise, Microsoft and other large companies are working to better support autistic workers so they can thrive without “masking.”

GSA Adopts Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines into Enforceable Standards
Town of Greenwich
First Selectman Fred Camillo
Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan
Greenwich Public Works
Representative Jim Himes

U.S. Access Board - GSA Adopts Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines into Enforceable Standards The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information....

Want to learn more about what service animal laws apply to your business? Check out our FAQ page for the answer, as well as links to other common questions about service animals: https://adata.org/faq/what-are-laws-about-services-animals-apply-my-business

Are you looking to get out and about this holiday weekend? The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's newly launched Accessible Recreation Destinations Map displays 266 destinations across New York State with wheelchair accessible outdoor recreation opportunities. see more information and the map here:
https://dec.ny.gov/places-to-go/accessible-recreation/destinations

Queens LIRR projects halted amid congestion pricing pause. Why advocates are worried

Queens LIRR accessibility projects halted amid congestion pricing pause. Why disability advocates are worried Accessibility improvements at Long Island Rail Road stations in Queens have been put on hold after congestion pricing was paused​.

Job coaches, did you know that your role can be considered a reasonable accommodation in the workplace? Our guide can help job coaches understand the important role they play in supporting job seekers and employees with disabilities. Read and learn more about job coaches as accommodations in English or Spanish.

English version here: https://adata.org/job-coaches-as-accommodations
Spanish version here: https://adata.org/job-coaches-as-accommodations-es

Join us for our upcoming Accessibility Online Webinar series: "Picture This! Identifying Non-Compliant Elements & Spaces."

Ever wonder how often you encounter inaccessible elements or spaces daily? This webinar, filled with real-life scenarios, will help you identify non-compliant elements and spaces and understand the applicable Standards or Guidelines. We'll cover sections from the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). Speakers: Debra Martins, Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board; Juliet Shoultz, Transportation Engineer, Office of Technical and Information Services.

🗓 Date: Thursday, July 11
🕒 Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET

Register now at: https://bit.ly/3zhLcap

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of accessible design best practices!

But, will it be safe for women in high heels?

Stamford DSSD to hold lower Summer Street block party as promenade project wraps up

Stamford DSSD to hold lower Summer Street block party as pedestrian promenade project wraps up A construction project on Summer Street has included widening sidewalks, adding lights, trees and signs, and raising a portion of the road.

South Norwalk intersection painted to showcase Complete Streets initiative

South Norwalk intersection painted to showcase Complete Streets initiative Residents and city leaders gather to transform an intersection on North Main Street with colorful paint, showcasing Norwalk's Complete Streets initiative.

A summer reminder! ♿

‘Incredibly frustrating.’ New law will dramatically speed up wheelchair repairs

Gov. Ned Lamont is holding a bill signing ceremony for a new law that promises to dramatically speed up repairs.

‘Incredibly frustrating.’ New law will dramatically speed up wheelchair repairs Gov. Ned Lamont is holding a bill signing ceremony for a new law that promises to dramatically speed up repairs.

This is an oldie but goodie…

FAKE SERVICE DOGS—WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO?

FAKE SERVICE DOGS—WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO? | FOX 28 Spokane For the last two weeks, we've discussed the subject of "fake" service dogs—dogs whose owners are willing to lie about having a disability so they can take their untrained and temperamentally unsuited pet dogs with them everywhere in public. We've heard opinions and personal experiences of dog prof...

If you’re a business owner, it’s your responsibility to educate yourself about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations on service animals affect you. For example, do you know whether or not you can charge maintenance or cleaning fees for customers who bring service animals into your business? Get the answer: https://adata.org/faq/can-i-charge-maintenance-or-cleaning-fees-customers-who-bring-service-animals-my-business

The creation of the bureau was part of a larger bill focused on allocating federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which passed during the state's recent legislative session.

The law establishes a new Bureau of Services for Persons Who Are Deaf, Deafblind or Hard of Hearing. The duties of the bureau's director will include publishing an online resource guide, assisting to register interpreters in the state and helping state agencies appoint an employee who will be a point of contact for concerns related to people who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing

Connecticut establishes new bureau for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing services

Connecticut establishes new bureau for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing services The bureau will field calls, provide referrals and coordinate trainings on how to serve this community.

Steph Cowie, who is a member of the First Selectman’s committee for People with Disabilities and uses a motorized scooter, reminded Ms Fassuliotis that the Americans with Disabilities Act was the law.

“It is a federal law. It’s not a town law. It’s not a state law. The law stems back to 1993. We have been very patient. It is now 2024. By the time this is all done it could be 2025. I feel like everyone is saying, if we do this here on Greenwich Avenue, is it going to bleed to the rest of the town? Well, one would hope it would.”

“The last time Greenwich Ave was paved was 40 years ago, before ADA even existed,” she said. “It’s disturbing that we have to have the conversation that this is such a pain-point for so many

Feedback on DPW Plans for 8 Greenwich Ave Intersections: Comply with ADA, Skip the Bump Outs

Feedback on DPW Plans for 8 Greenwich Ave Intersections: Comply with ADA, Skip the Bump Outs At the May 30 DPW hearing, feedback from residents stemmed from bump outs proposed as part of the plan to make Greenwich Avenue ADA compliant. DPW's Jim Michel said bump outs were necessary, but many residents were skeptical.

Most speakers discussed their issues with the ADA plan, but Stephanie Cowie, who uses a motorized wheelchair, said these fixes will make the Avenue safer for everyone and that Greenwich should be accessible for all.

"Some feel that these changes will impact merchants on the Avenue," she said. "What about the impact with those with disabilities who want to shop or dine just like every single one of you?"

Few ramps on Greenwich Ave. deny people with disabilities access to shop and dine, advocates say

Few ramps on Greenwich Ave. deny people with disabilities access to shop and dine, advocates say Most of the handicap parking spaces on Greenwich Avenue do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but fixes are slated to happen later this year.

Stephanie Cowie said the project is "not a nice-to-have," and she encouraged DPW to proceed
"It's disturbing we even have to this conversation — that it's such a pain point for so many," Cowie said. "The Avenue is not changing, it's not losing its character. If anything, it's gaining character. It's gaining public safety. That is what our town and municipality is supposed to do, provide safe passage for everybody

Town Again Seeks Improvements, ADA Compliance On Greenwich Avenue Greenwich DPW held a public hearing last week on a proposal officials say will bring the Avenue into ADA compliance and improve safety.

Technology and Disability Rights: Accessibility, Not Disability, Is the Problem

Technology and Disability Rights: Accessibility, Not Disability, Is the Problem The digital landscape is being improved for the disabled by groups like the Internal Revenue Service and the National Federation of the Blind, along with several pending bills.

New from the United States Department of Justice: "Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Government Entities: A Small Entity Compliance Guide"

This is designed to help small size state and local governments (which includes their agencies + departments, including schools++) understand the new Americans with Disabilities Act ( ) rule on web and mobile . [Small = a state or local government with a population of 49,999 or fewer.] #

Town of Greenwich
Greenwich Public Schools

Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Government Entities: A Small Entity Compliance Guide The guide will help small state and local governments to understand the web rule’s requirements for making sure their web content and mobile apps are accessible.

Are we planning to do the same here in Greenwich?
Town of Greenwich
Greenwich Public Works
First Selectman Fred Camillo
Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan
Greenwich Time
Greenwich Free Press
Greenwich Patch

Norwalk officials say 61% of double pole transfers made, 31% of removals completed Officials say the removals are not just for aesthetic purposes, but are necessary for public safety.