More Important Resources You May Need

Last month I shared what I perceive to be the top three resources we refer people to when a person requires additional information or services. That post was so popular that I felt compelled to share a few more of the excellent resources you may not be aware of.

  1. The Job Accommodation Network

Employers and employees alike struggle with understanding the rules on employment accommodation. This confusion can lead to a host of problems, the worst of which are lawsuits and violation of rights.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the go-to for both employees and employers who have questions about employment rights and responsibilities under the ADA. We can’t say enough good things about JAN. They’re a project of the Department of Labor and a counterpart to what we do. I often say to folks, “Whereas we provide guidance on the ADA as a whole, JAN specializes in Title I of the ADA and the active process of workplace accommodation.”  

JAN has resources specific to both employees and employers. Their website has a wealth of helpful information, including accommodations for specific disabilities, sample forms, toolkits and more. JAN will also take questions via phone, e-mail and online chat.

  1. Parent Training and Information Centers

The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) provides funds for each state in the U.S. to operate a Parent Training and Information Center. These centers help the families of children with disabilities up until age 22. Their goal is to give parents free support and information so children get the most out of their education. They can advise on parent and child rights under the IDEA, ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. They often have information about support groups, legal help and other local resources.

There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers in the U.S. Here are the Centers in Region 8:

Colorado: PEAK Parent Center and THRIVE Center

Montana: Parents, Let’s Unite For Kids (PLUK)

North Dakota: Pathfinder Parent Center

South Dakota: South Dakota Parent Connection

Utah: Utah Parent Center

Wyoming: Parent Information Center

  1. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

For people with disabilities, inaccessible or unavailable transportation causes a loss of independence and lack of inclusion. We get a significant number of calls from people wondering what the law requires for transportation. While the ADA provides requirements for transportation, there is a noticeable lack of guidance from the Department of Justice on transportation matters.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is a program of the Federal Transit Administration that provides guidance, training and other resources designed to help create accessible communities. Like JAN, NADTC is a specialist organization that we refer to heavily when someone needs more information than we have. NADTC takes questions via phone or e-mail and they have a huge library of trainings and other resources on their website.

We’re here to help.

To reiterate what I said last month, we’re here to help, despite the limitations on what applies to the ADA or what’s within our scope of services. As much as we want to be the final stop on your search for answers, we must recognize that sometimes there is an organization better equipped to meet your needs. We make referrals abundantly and we encourage our community partners to refer their customers to us. As James Garner said, “You can never have too many friends.”