ADA Celebrates 30 Years of Progress in Access and Inclusion
Throughout the year, we have been celebrating 30 years of progress in access and inclusion, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Anniversary. The ADA was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Through passing this law, President Bush ensured that individuals in the United States of America will no longer be socially defined or limited in life by a disability. The Anniversary milestone is a celebration that promotes awareness of equality for people with disabilities.
The ADA is the first comprehensive civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability. It protects people with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of public life, including the workplace, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the public. The law guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, such as accessible buses for wheelchairs, tactile exhibits at parks and museums, captions, or a sign language interpreter at a theater, concerts, or ball games. Other changes include accommodations in local, state, and federal government services, and telecommunications. These are just some of the life-changing accommodations that were made possible for people with disabilities because of the American Disabilities Act.
We are grateful to the ADA for making a life-altering change for individuals with disabilities. If you have any questions, please visit the resources below:
This Tool Kit is a project of the ADA National Network and its ten regional ADA Centers across the United States that provide comprehensive “one-stop” information, guidance, and training on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How Employers Can Provide a Supportive Environment for ASD Employees
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) bring a variety of strengths and skills to the workplace. With a rising number of young adults entering the workforce, whose ASD ranges from mild to severe, it is becoming increasingly important for employers to provide an encouraging and supportive environment. When employers offer accommodations such as proper training, time management tools, and the opportunity to share workloads, the employees are given a better chance at being successful in the workplace.
Many employers have concerns about how to accommodate employees on the Autism Spectrum. Due to the varying characteristics of ASD, each person may need individual accommodations. Some people with ASD deal with sensory stimulation distractions. These can include, employee chatter, everyday office noises (phone ringing, copy machine, etc.) Another characteristic is atypical body movements such as fidgeting, which can help calm the individual and/or help them concentrate on tasks they are given at the workplace. Lastly, stress management is key to helping employees with ASD succeed. Many situations at work can create a stressful environment for the individual, such as conflict among employees, deadlines, unrealistic timeframes, and workloads.
Employers should educate themselves on how to accommodate employees with ASD to create a positive and supportive environment. Below are tips supervisors can use as they orient, train, and encourage their employees’ professional development.
- Reduce auditory and visual distractions
- Reduce the clutter in the employee’s work environment
- Use hand-held squeeze balls and similar objects to provide a calming effect
- Provide positive reinforcement
- Modify the work schedule
- Provide sensitivity training for the other employers
Below you will find a link for the Employer Guide to Supervising Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. This useful resource will help employers interested in hiring a group of capable yet under-employed individuals: those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Summer Fun!
Summer is back and teens are looking for some “safe” fun during this unprecedent time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, activities will not look the same as they did last summer, teens can still find activities to do and have lots of fun. Traditionally, teens can attend summer camps, volunteer, or get a job but COVID-19 has disrupted summer plans and have changed those possibilities for teens.
Thanks to the internet, teens can find a multitude of activities online whether it is some type of fitness class, art and cooking class, taking a virtual trip to a theme park, or visit a museum. We have compiled a list of resources for families to explore with their teens to keep them engaged during the summer and having fun.
Health & Fitness
Special Olympics: School of Strength
Work out videos to help you stay fit and reach your athletic goals.
specialolympics.org/school-of-strength
Planet Fitness: One of the country’s largest gym chains, Planet Fitness, has been live streaming free online workout classes on its Facebook page on weekdays at 7 p.m. ET. https://www.facebook.com/planetfitness/
Nike Training Club: This app lets you download free 15-, 30-, and 45-minute workouts designed by Nike trainers. Most of the workouts are equipment-free and use GIFs to demonstrate how to do each exercise — from squats, to walkouts, to lunges.
Corepower Yoga: The national yoga chain is offering free 30- and 60-minute classes.
https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice
Downward Dog: This company is offering its suite of fitness apps — from the seven-minute workout, to Barre, to Yoga for Beginners — for free, with no subscription required – www.downdogapp.com/schools
Cooking
Accessible Chef – online free visual recipes and resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Cultural and Virtual Museums
Google Arts and Cultures – https://artsandculture.google.com
Online Free Puzzles
Jigsaw Planet – https://www.jigsawplanet.com/
Educational Online Games for High School & College Students-
https://www.learn4good.com/games/for-high-school-students.htm
Kahoot-Family Fun- https://kahoot.com/home/family-friends/
Virtual trips to the Zoo & Aquarium
San Diego Zoo– https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
National Aquarium– http://samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html
HDS Celebrates 22 Years of Commitment
Dear valued client and industry partners and HDS Family,
This year we celebrate 22 years of commitment to affordable housing and community development, bringing technology and service solutions to this industry. Our mission for over two decades has been to support this market and the initiatives of our agency clients and partners. We thank you for being part of our success and value the trust you have placed in us while supporting your business and community goals.
The HDS Companies team that includes Housing and Development Software, eHousingPlus and the HDS Foundation is 22 years strong. Today more than ever, we are committed to continue to strengthen and grow these business lines in support of yours. Community is at the core of who we are, and today, we the HDS Team invite you to celebrate our vision for the future.
Cristina
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
Theodore Roosevelt
ASDY Tech Reunites Through Zoom
Our HDS Companies ASDY-Tech (Autism Spectrum Disorder Young Adult Technicians) team joined us for a Zoom “Party” to surprise their mentor, Terri Scharnow. Everyone was so happy to see one another after being in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Program Managers, Meagan Bouscher and Liz Falk, PR Consultant, Rixys Alfonso, and Cristina Miranda Gilson, CEO of HDS Companies and Chairman & President of the HDS Foundation, and Paloma Miranda, HDS Foundation Advisory Board Member all joined in. They enjoyed a great afternoon together, sharing stories and laughs.
Each of the ASDY Tech young adults shared what they have been doing to keep themselves occupied during the COVID 19 pandemic. Mike was happy to share that he interviewed for a potential job opportunity with Hallmark. He is keeping his fingers crossed and is looking forward to hearing back from Hallmark so that he can begin working very soon.
Marco participated in a job fair and applied for employment with an optical company. Although the situation did not work out, he has decided it is best to wait until after the COVID-19 pandemic ceases. He will use his time at home to do some online learning, make YouTube, and Tik-Tok videos, watch movies, and play video games.
Gabe has found it very challenging to find his ideal job during the shut-down. After attempting to find employment over the last three months, Gabe has realized that many companies are hiring delivery drivers due to the pandemic. He has considered taking a delivery job until he finds a role in his desired line of work.
Miguel has been busy writing a bilingual blog entitled, “Miguel’s Sports Blog.” His blog focuses on sports in South Florida and around the world. Miguel writes the blogs in English and Spanish and showcases pictures of the different sporting events. He also participated in a virtual orientation with Sheridan Technical School to learn more about the various programs they had to offer in the fall. He is considering starting at Sheridan and would like to study Computer Programming.
During our Zoom Party, we also discussed current news happenings and events, as well as ways to stay safe during the pandemic. Everyone agreed they could not wait until things resumed back to some kind of “normal.” Terri was thrilled to see and hear from her mentees and was so happy to see they all had plans of either getting a future job or going back to school to further their education. A next Zoom get together is in the works to keep everyone in touch.
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