JULY 26^TH WAS THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Signed into law in 1990, this civil rights law works to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. A great ADA celebration toolkit with resources, language tips, events, etc., is here. 

“The Americans with Disabilities Act embodies a national promise to eliminate discriminatory barriers and support full participation, community integration, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue using this bedrock civil rights law to eliminate barriers and safeguard the rights of people with disabilities across the country.” 

In June, 2022, the Department made a multi million-dollar settlement agreement with Uber Technologies Inc. consisting of Uber commitments to policy changes and paying several million dollars in compensation to over 65,000 Uber users charged discriminatory fees due to disability. 

The Justice Department’s other recent enforcement efforts have included removing barriers that prevented people with disabilities from booking vaccine appointments on the web and finding critical vaccine information; enforced the ADA to safeguard the rights of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are in treatment or recovery; and starting statewide Olmstead investigations in response to complaints. 

Read the USDOJ's press release about the anniversary.

 BAZELON CENTER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WORKING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES!

Jonathan Capehart to Emcee the Bazelon Center's 2022 Annual Awards - Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday September 22, 2022 7 PM ET * Virtual

Image Description: Jonathan Capehart is a Black man wearing glasses with his hands crossed in front of his grey blazer. He wears a dark blue tie and a white dress shirt. He is smiling.

We are thrilled to announce that Pulitzer-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart will emcee the Bazelon Center's 50th Anniversary Virtual Awards! Throughout the year, we will host a variety of events to celebrate Bazelon's 50 years of advocacy and protecting the rights of those with mental disabilities. For more information of our upcoming events and to learn more about Bazelon's impact on policy, visit bazelon50.org Save the Date - 2022 Awardees and Special Guests Coming Soon! Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 Time: 7 PM ET Location: Virtual Cost: Free Registration: Opens August 2022 This year's sponsors include: Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Brown Goldstein & Levy, eSSENTIAL Accessibility, Georgia Advocacy Office, MIDA Associates, and Vanguard Communications ASL, Open Captioning and Audio Description will be available; please contact communications@bazelon.org with additional accessibility requests. Re-watch our 2021 Awards (video) HERE.   Learn about sponsorship opportunities (PDF) HERE.

Your Support Is Needed The Bazelon Center relies on contributions from our allies to ensure that our staff can fight for protections and services for people with mental disabilities. Please consider making a gift today. Donate Now

FAIR HOUSING NEWS

HUD Press Release - HUD CHARGES TEXAS LANDLORDS WITH RACE DISCRIMINATION

Wed, Jul 10, 4:56 PM

Dear Colleague,

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is charging Roderick Apartments, LLC in Clinton, Maine, and one of its agents with discrimination for denying a veteran with disabilities the right to keep his assistance animal. Read HUD’s charge.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to people with disabilities, or from refusing to make reasonable accommodations in policies or practices for people with disabilities. This includes not allowing people with disabilities (impairments that substantially limit major life activities) to have assistance animals that perform work or tasks, or that provide disability-related emotional support. 

“No person with a disability should be denied the accommodation they need, especially individuals who served in the Armed Forces to defend our freedom,” said Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD will continue to work to ensure that housing providers meet their obligation to comply with this nation’s fair housing laws.”

The case came to HUD’s attention when a veteran with disabilities filed a complaint alleging that Roderick Apartments refused to lease an apartment to him because he uses a dog as an assistance animal.  HUD’s Charge alleges that tests subsequently conducted by Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA), a nonprofit agency that provides free civil and legal assistance to low- income Maine residents, confirmed  Roderick Apartments’ policy of refusing to rent to persons with an assistance animal. In one test, a PTLA tester posing as an apartment seeker who uses an assistance animal allegedly was told that having the animal would be grounds for eviction. 

"Fair Housing Act charges on the basis of disability demonstrate HUD's continued commitment to ensuring that housing providers offer equal opportunities to all persons looking to rent a home," said Paul Compton, HUD's General Counsel. 

HUD's charge will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless any party elects for the case to be heard in federal court. If the administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, he may award damages to the complainant for his loss as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, as well as payment of attorney fees. In addition, the judge may impose civil penalties in order to vindicate the public interest.

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fair housing, or by downloading HUD's free housing discrimination mobile application, which can be accessed through Apple and Android devices.

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at 

www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media  or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.

You can follow Secretary Carson on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

2019 Breaking Barriers Award Gala

September 18, 2019 6-8:30 pm American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) 800 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230

To purchase a ticket or become a sponsor

please click here

Proceeds directly support DRM and expand our capacity to provide critical legal assistance for Marylanders with disabilities.