Staffs’ February 2025 BSPD Digest

Week 1 – February 4^th, 2025 Theme: ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. If you are supporting a young person who is seeking to enter college, get their GED or receive their professional license, ADA information on testing accommodations could be helpful in assisting them with understanding accommodations for testing beyond high school. https://www.ada.gov/resources/testing-accommodations/

Week 2 – February 11^th, 2025 Theme: A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

Supporting young people with disabilities who are seeking employment may require you to understand more about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA.gov has a fact sheet called A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment which may be helpful to understand who is protected, what the rights are for protected persons, and to learn about work accommodations. https://www.ada.gov/resources/employment-seeking-guide/

Week 3 – February 18^th, 2025 Theme: ADA Requirements: Service Animals

Understanding ADA requirements for service animals can be helpful for supporting families and youth with disabilities who have or are thinking of getting a service animal. Check out this ADA resource to learn more about specific provisions for dogs and miniature horses, where service animals are allowed, and limitations on inquiries about service animals. https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

Week 4 – February 25^th, 2025 Theme: ADA Requirements: Effective Communication

When supporting families and youth with vision, hearing, or speech disabilities, you may want to understand or help others understand requirements for effective communication. The ADA requires that state and local governments and businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. Check out this ADA resource for more information. https://www.ada.gov/resources/effective-communication/