News & Happenings:
Voting Resources
Voting is a constitutional right and responsibility of citizenship. It is an important way to help select the national, state and local officials who make laws, design programs and decide how tax dollars are spent. For information on voting in Wisconsin for individuals with disabilities, download a copy at the Voting in Wisconsin: A Guide for Citizens with Disabilities in multiple formats:
The information in this publication is based on current Wisconsin election laws and is believed to be accurate. Questions on specific interpretations of the law should be referred to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.
Check out ADA In the Headlines
In the Headlines is a site dedicated to using technically advanced news agents to search for the latest news stories from several credible and well respected publications. The articles posted will cover a variety of topics related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. We update our news stories multiple times daily and post the 5 most recently published stories on a per state basis. Please keep in the mind that the site is as up to date as new stories are published.
ADA Business Connections Website
The U.S. Department of Justice has posted a new fact sheet to the ADA Business Connections portion of its web site. The document titled, "Expanding Your Market: Accessibility Benefits Older Adult Customers," outlines how compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes good business sense. The new fact sheet highlights the benefits of increasing accessibility in order to meet the needs of individuals who are aging. For more information go to http://www.ada.gov/business.htm.
Technical Assistance Desk:
Question: What type of tax breaks are there for businesses trying to comply with the requirements of the ADA?
Answer: In order to assist businesses with complying with the ADA, Section 44 of the IRS Code allows a tax credit for small businesses and Section 190 of the IRS Code allows a tax deduction for all businesses.
The tax credit is available to businesses that have total revenues of $1,000,000 or less in the previous tax year or 30 or fewer full-time employees. This credit can cover 50% of the eligible access expenditures in a year up to $10,250 (maximum credit of $5000). The tax credit can be used to offset the cost of undertaking barrier removal and alterations to improve accessibility; providing accessible formats such as Braille, large print and audio tape; making available a sign language interpreter or a reader for customers or employees, and for purchasing certain adaptive equipment.
The tax deduction is available to all businesses with a maximum deduction of $15,000 per year. The tax deduction can be claimed for expenses incurred in barrier removal and alterations. It is not available for new construction.
For additional information and materials on the ADA contact the DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center by calling 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) or use the online contact form.
Access for All: Five Years of Progress
The US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division has posted their recent report: "Access for All: Five Years of Progress, A Report from the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act" on their website for viewing and downloading. Go to: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/5yearadarpt/fiveyearada1.htm.
Medicare and You 2007 Handbook Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging people with Medicare to review their current coverage this fall to see if it will meet their needs in 2007. The Medicare & You 2007 handbook is now available to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose. This official government handbook contains information about what's new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights for people with Medicare. You can find 48 geographic-specific versions of the handbook on the website, with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.
- English: www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
- Spanish: www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050_S.pdf
ACCESS: Your Key to Health, Nutrition and Other Programs
The Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) recently unveiled their newly completed internet website so limited income Wisconsin residents can screen, apply for and maintain health & nutrition benefits. Individuals can find out if they are eligible for low- or no-cost health, nutrition and other programs, including:
- FoodShare (Wisconsin's version of the federal Food Stamp program)
- Medicaid
- BadgerCare
- SeniorCare and Medicare Part D
- WIC
- Free/Reduced Price School Meals
- The Summer Food Service Program
- Food Pantry Assistance
- Tax Credits
Just visit the website (www.access.wisconsin.gov) and click "Am I Eligible?" Serive Providers can find out more about this program and view a short powerpoint presentation at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/em/access/advocates.htm.
New On-line Resource for Rebuilding Accessible Communities
A new initiative is underway to promote accessibility in the rebuilding of communities destroyed by last year's hurricanes. Rebuilding Accessible Communities, a joint venture of the ADA Technical Assistance Centers and the Access Board, is focused on developing and distributing guidance on achieving accessibility in reconstruction projects. Under this program, a new website www.adata.org/rac/index.aspx has been launched to disseminate information prepared and collected to date.
The new website, an initial step of this program, currently provides answers to common questions that have arisen in work to rebuild devastated areas as well as links to existing sources of information. Additional resources, best practices, and advisory information will be posted to this site as they become available.
Disability Rights Online News
Disability Rights Online News is a bi-monthly update about the Civil Rights Division's activities in the area of disability rights. The Division enforces laws prohibiting discrimination based on disability in employment, housing, access to businesses serving the public, access to government programs and services including voting and public transportation, and unconstitutional conditions in institutions of confinement.
To view the latest newsletter, visit: http://www.ada.gov/newsltr0805.htm
Get Technical Assistance for ADA
The Great Lakes ADA Center has experienced Technical Assistance Specialists who are available to provide in-depth answers to questions concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, and Accessible Information Technology (IT) by telephone or email. They also provide a variety of professional consultation services such as reviewing plans for new and existing facilities, proofing language used in employer policies, examining documents related to programmatic accessibility required by government entities, and recommending strategies to improve the accessibility of web sites.
The Specialists also conduct trainings that are tailored to address the specific needs of audiences with varying levels of knowledge about the ADA and IT. In addition, the Center has expanded its role to include activities that promote the acquisition and use of accessible information technology in education settings. The Great Lakes ADA Center E & IT Initiative provides technical assistance aimed at encouraging the incorporation of accessible information technology in K-12 and post secondary school settings.
For more information about the services provided by the Technical Assistance Specialist contact the Great Lakes ADA Center at (800) 949-4232 (V/TTY).