A Vermont DMV employee uses the UbiDuo 3 to communicate with a customer.

“This is a wonderful and cornerstone moment in enhancing the lives of the people of Vermont. The Vermont DMV’s inclusion of the UbiDuo 3 across the state shows their dedication to the wellbeing of their citizens.” – sComm CEO Jason Curry

MONTPELIER, Vt. (PRWEB)
February 24, 2021

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and sComm today announced that they have launched the use of new devices that will enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate easily and effectively with staff at all DMV locations.

“This is another exciting step in the modernization of Vermont’s DMV,” said Commissioner Wanda Minoli. “Our focus is always on providing superior customer service, and these devices will allow for a much better experience for Vermonters who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

The devices, called UbiDuo 3, contain two keyboards with two small screens to enable the customer and the DMV employee to communicate while opposite each other on either side of the service counter. The DMV partnered with sComm, the leading developer of the UbiDuo, to meet the Department’s goal of providing barrier-free, face-to-face customer service at all branch offices statewide. The UbiDuo enables people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with others without a sign language interpreter by using two-way, simultaneous, real-time keyboards. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and hearing people can now talk to each other face-to-face and interact simultaneously by using this device.

A federal grant award from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the amount of $22,954 was used to purchase 11 UbiDuo devices.

Flyers have been posted at all DMV locations to inform customers that the devices are available. All branch counter supervisors have completed a training on how to use the UbiDuo3.

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“Too often sport is considered frivolous and for entertainment only, but sport is an underused powerful tool for messages of advocacy, Universal Design, and so much more,” said Candace Cable, Vice-President of USICD.

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
February 23, 2021

The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), in partnership with The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films (GSD), is presenting a webinar titled “30/30 – Sports as a Tool for Advocacy and Development.” This free virtual program will take place on Thursday, February 25th at 1pm EST. The webinar will explore the ways in which sport can be a critical piece of advocacy, particularly as it relates to Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a treaty by the United Nations. The panel will also examine Goal #11 from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Facilitated by Paralympians Candace Cable and Karin Korb, the panel features key players in promoting disability rights worldwide. The speakers will be:

• Charlotte McClain Nhlapo – Global Disability Advisor, World Bank Group
• Keith Jones – President/CEO of Soul Touchin’ Experiences and co-founder Krip Hop Nation
• Vladimir Cuk – Executive Director, International Disability Alliance
• Ann Cody – Special Advisor, US Department of State
• Victor Calise – Commissioner, New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

“Too often sport is considered frivolous and for entertainment only, but sport is an underused powerful tool for messages of advocacy, Universal Design, and so much more,” said Cable, Vice-President of USICD. “Sport’s power is that it is connected to humanity and brings its intrinsic language of inclusion front and center. Sport has a friendly face; people like it. And sport is a conversation starter that – once started – is easy to shift to educating and advocating for cohesive change and opportunities that are equitable and accessible to everyone. This panel will deeply educate us on how to shift the shallow perspective of sport to an expansive tool.”

David Ulich, executive board member for GSD, said, “Over the years we have supported a number of sport and development programs, and we know how impactful this work can be.” He continued, “Much of our work stems from the core understanding that every person should have access to safe, fair sport, whether as an athlete or spectator. When sport-based development projects are inclusive, we ensure all voices and perspectives are part of the conversation.”

For more information on Article 30 of the CRPD, visit: “Article 30 – Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sport.” To learn more about Goal 11 of the United Nations SDGs, visit: “SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

The 30/30 – Sports as a Tool for Advocacy and Development webinar is free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Please visit the link below to register.

Webinar registration page.

About the United States International Council on Disabilities

The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD)– a nonprofit, stakeholder-led membership organization—works worldwide to ensure that people with disabilities and the organizations that represent them are fully equipped to advocate for effective policies, legislation and services so that they can reach their fullest potential. Operating since 1988, the mission of USICD is to advance international disability rights and inclusive development and to build bridges among the U.S. and foreign governments, disability and human rights communities, and the private sector through strategic advocacy, convening, and training and education. The membership of USICD envisions a world where the rights of persons with disabilities are universally recognized and respected, where persons with disabilities are afforded full and equal participation in their communities, and where persons with disabilities are self-sufficient and live independent and self-determined lives.

About The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films

The Foundation for Global Sports Development, established in 1996, was born out of a desire to promote and protect the best parts of sport. Guided by its original mission, the foundation delivers and supports initiatives that promote accessible, fair, and abuse-free sport for youth. The foundation achieves this objective through grants, awards, educational projects, and filmmaking. In 2015, the foundation launched its media company, Sidewinder Films, to inspire and educate audiences through films that shed light on the remarkable, untold stories that celebrate the sport of life. Visit http://www.globalsportsdevelopment.org and http://www.sidewinderfilms.org to learn more.

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Joe Quintanilla with running guide Tracy Wadsen

Join us virtually by carrying our braille baton to help us raise money to support braille literacy

BOSTON (PRWEB)
February 21, 2021

National Braille Press (NBP) announced today the first ever Braille Across America 2021 Virtual Running Challenge to spread the importance of braille literacy across the country. The challenge will begin on March 17, NBP’s 94th birthday, and end on April 19, Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts. Runners from coast-to-coast are signing up for the Braille Across America Virtual Running Challenge from Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Idaho and California.

“This year, we are asking our supporters and friends, blind and sighted, throughout the United States to join us virtually by carrying our braille baton and raising money to support braille literacy,” said Brian Mac Donald, President of National Braille Press.”

The Braille Across America team will work together to raise vital funds needed to continue NBP’s braille literacy programs for blind children and adults while each member completes the distance of a marathon (26.2miles) over the course of a month. Participants will log enough miles to virtually run, walk or bike coast-to-coast 2,620 miles. Whether you are running, walking, biking solo, or as part of a team, join the fun while supporting NBP and braille literacy.

Runners include Massachusetts residents Vanessa Jones of Needham, Kimberly Martin of Plainville, Joe Quintanilla of Burlington Chris Milmore of Jamaica Plain; Tom Richissin and family of Reading; Kenady O’Neil of Medford, NJ; Kim Flanagan of Rural Hall, NC; Yvette Ly-Kinhan of Englin AFB, FL; Gloria Moyer of Skokie, IL; Karin Geraci of Villa Hall, KY; Rhonda Hamil of Lake Pearland, TX; Hedgie and A. Fehrnstrom of Nampa and Boise, ID; Amy Kaucic of Moscow, ID; Tracy Wasden and family of Meridian, ID; and Lisamaria Martinez of Union City in the Bay Area of San Francisco, CA.

Braille Across America team members will have access to swag bag with Braille Across America team goodies, personalized fundraising page, fundraising guidance from NBP’s team, easy mileage tracking with ChallengeRunner, training tips to prepare for the challenge, sample schedule for challenge completion, access to team member Facebook group, team Spotify playlist and chance to win additional individual and team awards & prizes. To join or to donate, visit https://www.classy.org/campaign/braille-across-america-2021/c320409.

About National Braille Press

National Braille Press is a non-profit braille publisher and producer of braille products. NBP creates products and programs to support braille literacy in the blind community and to provide access to information that empower blind people to actively engage in work, family, and community. For more information visit http://www.nbp.org

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Our collective work can now help provide a more seamless pathway for lifelong success for deaf children from birth to college and beyond.

WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
February 19, 2021

Gallaudet University and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) announced today that they are expanding their multi-year partnership to increase sign language access and support services to deaf children and their families and the professionals who serve them throughout the southeastern United States.

Talladega-based AIDB now serves as the host institution for the Gallaudet University Regional Center (GURC) South, joining three additional GURCs and host partners in other regions throughout the nation. The four GURCs, administered by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet (Clerc Center), comprise one of the nation’s leading networks serving deaf children and their families.

The expanded partnership between Gallaudet University and AIDB will provide an array of critical services, trainings, and outreach to deaf children from birth through high school throughout the Southern region of the U.S., including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Early intervention, early language acquisition, professional development, high school to post-secondary transition and career readiness are among the key services offered.

For the last two years, a partnership between the Clerc Center and AIDB, the Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project, has worked to provide support to deaf children in nine southeastern states from birth through the age of three. The addition of the GURC will allow the continuation and expansion of services and training to professionals and families in the region for students aged 4 through high school.

“We are beyond proud of our ongoing partnership with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the collective impact we have made together the past several years,” said Roberta J. Cordano, president of Gallaudet University. “Gallaudet is very pleased to have this opportunity to strengthen our partnership with AIDB through collaborative work with the Clerc Center. This work helps bring critically important services and resources to more deaf children and their families throughout the region. Ultimately, our collective work can now help provide a more seamless pathway for lifelong success for deaf children from birth to college and beyond.”

“It is an honor for AIDB to serve as a host institution for the Gallaudet University Regional Center-South,” said Dr. John Mascia, President of Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. “Through this collaboration with Gallaudet, a premier national liberal arts university serving students who are deaf, AIDB will be able to develop and provide regional services in Alabama and in the surrounding states. We are excited and grateful to expand the AIDB/Gallaudet partnership and we know that this opportunity to impact the lives of individuals who are Deaf is limitless.”

GURC Realignment

In addition to the newly-expanded Gallaudet-AIDB partnership, Gallaudet University’s Clerc Center is realigning its four GURC regional locations as follows. GURC-East will remain with host partner Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts, with Ohio joining this group. GURC-Midwest will now be run by host partner Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, with Texas joining the Midwest group. GURC-South will be covered by host partner AIDB at its North Campus located in Decatur, Alabama, with Arkansas joining this group. GURC-West will remain with host partner Ohlone College in Fremont, California.

About the Gallaudet University Regional Centers

The Gallaudet University Regional Centers were established in 1977. Through partnerships with host institutions, the Gallaudet University Regional Centers share Gallaudet’s undergraduate and graduate programs and the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center’s resources and expertise through training programs, workshops and conferences, youth programs, technical assistance, and consultation. For more information please visit the GURCs.

About Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Founded in 1858, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is America’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation and service program serving individuals of all ages who are blind, deaf, deafblind or multidisabled. Through five campuses in Talladega and a statewide network of Regional Centers, AIDB provides services to over 30,000 people per year. For more information please visit Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.

About the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students and is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 21. For more information, please visit the Clerc Center.

About Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind individuals through American Sign Language and English. The university enrolls over 1,300 students in more than 40 undergraduate majors, as well as many graduate programs at the master’s and doctoral level. It also conducts much research in a variety of fields, including brain imaging, educational neuroscience, education, linguistics, psychology, Deaf history and culture, and Black Deaf history and culture.

Media Contacts:

Tyrone Giordano, Director of Communications, Clerc Center

tyrone.giordano@gallaudet.edu (202)609-7979

Jacque Cordle, Advancement Officer, Marketing and Community Relations, AIDB

cordle.jacque@aidb.org / (256) 589-8024

Consult PR Encourages Clients and Other Website Owners to Make ADA Compliance A Priority

“Make sure your website is accessible and avoid unnecessary lawsuits by taking the first step to making your site ADA compliant. Schedule a consultation with Consult PR.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)
February 17, 2021

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was first passed in 1990, at a time when the internet was not as pervasive as it is now. Over the years, however, ADA compliance has extended to websites. The laws regarding whether a company can be sued if its website is ADA compliant, or as it’s known in the industry, A11Y compliant, is not very clear. Over the past couple of years, there has been an uptick in fillings. In 2019 and 2018, 2,256 and 2,258 ADA website-accessibility lawsuits were filed respectively, representing a 177% increase from the 814 lawsuits filed in 2017.

While it is not clear whether these lawsuits will be dismissed as frivolous or whether there will be real judgments, some major companies have faced large settlements because of it. In 2019, Harvard University was required to add high-quality captions or transcripts to all of the video and audio content available publicly online as well as paying the Class Counsel’s motion for $1,575,000 in attorneys’ costs and fees. In late 2012, Netflix and the NAD (National Association of the Deaf) agreed that Netflix would provide closed captions to 100% of their online streaming content within a two-year period and pay $755,000 in attorney fees and costs, which included fees to monitor the decree. In 2018, multi-million dollar, pizza chain Dominoes lost a suit against Guillermo Robles, who is legally blind, who sued them after he was unable to order a pizza online despite trying both the desktop site and the mobile app using screen-reading software. (rev.com)

Being in the industry, the experts at Consult PR feel like it’s their responsibility to let folks know that if you have physical operations and they need to be ADA compliant then your website will be seen as an online store and needs to be A11Y compliant too. They advise that simply getting the process started can help you avoid a lawsuit. Making your website ADA compliant isn’t something that can be achieved overnight and in most instances, it becomes an ongoing process. As you add more things to your website (articles, photos, videos, new pages, etc), you will be required to implement ongoing ADA compliance. A lot of times you can get a free analysis of what’s wrong with your site and what it might cost to fix it. Making your website ADA compliant is a task any proper web development firm can handle, but if it’s not something your web team can handle, Consult PR encourages you to reach out to them at (561) 444-7265.

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Michelle L. Roberts,
Founder of Roberts Disability Law

Michelle’s professional theme is “fighting for the underdog.”

OAKLAND, Calif. (PRWEB)
February 15, 2021

Michelle L. Roberts, a Bay Area ERISA litigation attorney with a successful 16-year track record representing employees in benefit disputes, has established Roberts Disability Law (“RDL”) to provide individual clients with full-service representation. Michelle’s practice concentrates on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), a complex federal law that governs most claims under benefit plans provided by employers. Over the years, Michelle has successfully represented hundreds of clients who were denied disability benefits, including obtaining many court victories.

Through RDL, Michelle will continue her life’s work of helping employees get the benefits that they deserve. Michelle’s professional theme is “fighting for the underdog.” She rigorously represents individuals against big insurance companies that use their resources to wear down insureds who might already be vulnerable due to an unexpected disability. Michelle’s commitment to advocating for the underdog is also reflected in her volunteer work for local non-profit organizations including, among others, Legal Aid at Work and the AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP).

“Like nearly all top-flight law firms and lawyers, Michelle has an unwavering commitment to providing legal services to those who need it most. We are grateful that she has been a part of a loyal group of attorney volunteers who lend their expertise to our Workers’ Rights Clinic.”

Mike Gaitley, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid at Work.    

“Michelle has been representing ALRP clients for many years and, in every instance, she has provided them with the highest quality representation possible. Michelle is a true hero. Michelle represents the very best of the legal community and I can enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for help in ERISA matters.”

Bill Hirsh, Executive Director, ALRP.

Michelle established RDL to provide focused hands-on high-quality representation to every RDL client from start to finish. “The thing I love most about what I do is the relationship I build with my clients while fighting for their rights. I want to be at their side from the very first phone call to when I get to call them congratulating them on a final resolution. I want to know each client’s case inside and out so I can effectively fight for them.” As stated by Amy H., a former long-term disability client for whom Michelle obtained a favorable settlement,

“I am an attorney, so have very high standards for any attorney representing me. Michelle exceeded my expectations at every turn. I always felt that no matter what was going on in her practice, my case was a priority, and she was on top of things. Any communication from me was returned within hours. Also, Michelle was willing to take the time to explain aspects of my case to me with great patience, which I really appreciated. She is also extremely skilled, experienced, and just a really good person. The most surprising thing about working with Michelle was that she actually cared about me as a human being and was absolutely dedicated to getting me justice. I am very grateful to her, and my advice would be that if she’s willing to take your case, you couldn’t find a more dedicated, skilled advocate.”

Michelle is a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and a member of the BASF Judiciary Committee. She is also a Senior Editor of the Bloomberg BNA’s Employee Benefits Law book and Vice-Chair of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section’s Employee Benefits Committee. Prior to starting RDL, Michelle was a partner at Kantor & Kantor, LLP.

Roberts Disability Law is based in Oakland, California and represents clients all throughout California.

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Prevent Blindness to hold its sixteenth annual “Eyes on Capitol Hill” advocacy event.

“From its founding in 1908, Prevent Blindness has continued to be, at its core, a public health advocacy organization,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

CHICAGO (PRWEB)
February 10, 2021

Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest non-profit eye health organization, will be holding its sixteenth annual “Eyes on Capitol Hill” advocacy event, held virtually this year, on Wed., Feb. 24 and Thurs., Feb. 25, 2021. The program brings together patients, caregivers, public health workers, and medical professionals with their elected officials to educate lawmakers and their staff on vision issues, including equitable access to quality eyecare, health disparities in the prevalence of vision disorders, and the importance of sight-saving research and surveillance.

The event also provides an important opportunity to reach out to newly elected members of Congress to introduce them to critical vision advocacy initiatives. As learned during the Coronavirus pandemic, many of the circumstances that surround vision loss and eye disease—such as age, presence of chronic disease, and health disparities—intersect with COVID-19 and its most serious consequences, underscoring the need for advocacy to ensure that public policy accounts for those who live with blinding eye diseases.

In addition to sharing their personal stories of the importance of healthy vision, this year’s Eyes on Capitol Hill advocates will ask elected officials to:

“From its founding in 1908, Prevent Blindness has continued to be, at its core, a public health advocacy organization,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “By working to give those who are directly affected by vision issues the opportunity to educate our government representatives directly on the importance of eye health, the Eyes on Capitol Hill event continues to carry on that mission.”

For more information on Eyes on Capitol Hill, or Prevent Blindness and its advocacy initiatives, please call (800) 331-2020 or visit https://preventblindness.org/advocacy-initiatives/.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at preventblindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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