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!  ADAnet/ADAnews Newsletter of the Association of Disabled Americans  !
!                                                                      !
!                          November 1991                               !
!                                                                      !
!                       Volume One/Issue One                           !
!                                                                      !
!   Editor - Timothy D. Carter. A.D.A., PO Box 374, Pinson, AL. 35126  !
!                                                                      !
!   President and Chairman of the Board    - Bill Freeman              !
!                                                                      !
!   Vice-President of Information Services - Marlin Johnson            !
!   Vice-President of Member Services      - R. Todd Smith             !
!                                                                      !
!   Supporting Articles - Todd Smith, Bill Freeman, Marlin Johnson     !
!   Office (205) 856-1538/Comp. Room (205) 856-0738/FAX (205) 520-0603 !
!   Connection/ADAnet (205) 854-9074/-2308/-0698/-5863 14,4 24hrs.     !
! Published by the Disability Law Foundation, Inc. Birmingham, Alabama !
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The DISABILITY LAW FOUNDATION, INC. is a non-profit
organization devoted to the collection and dissemination of disability
information to the disabled and those working with the disabled.

ADAnet is the Association of Disabled Americans electronic bulletin
board service which is supported by the Disability Law Foundation.

Material published by the Disability Law Foundation and the
Association of Disabled Americans is not copyrighted unless so noted,
and articles or information published by Disability Law Foundation
and the Association of Disabled Americans may be reproduced
freely. We only ask that proper credit is given to the author and the
Disability Law Foundation as the source, and that a copy of such
reprinted material be sent to the Disability Law Foundation.

The deadline for submissions for publication is the last Saturday
of each month. Opinions and conclusions expressed in the newsletter
are those of the author(s), and may not represent the opinions of
the Disability Law Foundation or the Association of Disabled Americans.

The Disability Law Foundation and the Association of Disabled 
Americans assume no liability for errors or misstatement of
facts within the newsletter.

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                               GREETINGS!

by Tim Carter


Welcome to the premiere issue of  the newsletter  for disAbility rights.
We bring you news of interest to  the disAbled  community, discussion on
the  American's  with  Disabilities  Act of  1990,  and an update on the
activities of the Disabilty Law Foundation.   We hope that you will find
news of interest to you here, and want to participate.

In  this  issue  we  also  discuss  ADAnet.   ADAnet  is  an  electronic
telecommunications  network providing National  and International access
to others with disabilities on a variety of  topics,  and also a variety
of files.   This forum includes topics  ranging from  disability  law to
new products  useful  in  adaptive living,  and even   personal  answers
to questions about living  with  a disAbility.    Inside  you  will find
information about the coverage of ADAnet and how you can connect.

Also inside is a discussion on the American's  with  Disabilities Act of
1990  and what  it  means to  persons with  disAbilities.  This landmark
legislation establishes fundamental rights  for the  disAbled  living in
our society.

Hopefully this news will be of interest to you or  someone you  know and
you will  want  to  participate.   With your  help  we  can  expand this
information  so all can  benefit,  so come join us and together  we will
provide a new voice for the disABLED community.


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ON THE FLY...

by Bill Freeman


     Most of the things we've done at ADAnet have been "on the
fly", so it only seemed appropriate to be the title of my monthly
submission. In keeping with that thought, I'll usually get my
thoughts together at the 11th hour. 

     That having been said, I'd like to welcome everyone to ADAnet,
the definitive international network of disabled people. Our sucess
has been astounding. We now cover the United States and Canada,
from Queensbury New York to Vancouver British Columbia, from
Charlotte South Carolina to Honolulu Hawaii. 

     Our conference list has grown too. We have just over 50
conferences at this time, and we are constantly talking to our
network affiliates (you guys!) about new areas we might ought to
cover. 

     We've experienced a few set-backs too, but every step back has
been followed by two leaps forward. Between massive amounts of
patience and bullish persistence, we've grown despite great
hardships.

     Funding. Doesn't sound like a difficult thing to do... its a
simple word. Truth is, though, that developing a winning strategy
to pay for future expansion has been anything but easy. We started
working on funding ADAnet in May. At this time, we're still
fighting to stay afloat. We need everyone's help, and have included
a membership kit with the newsletter. 

     Politics. The folks in Washington have noticed both the
Foundation and the network. Senator Shelby (D-AL.) has been a great
help. We plan to travel to Washington the week after Thanksgiving
to ask for additional funding. If you'd like us to visit your
state's delegation, please let us know now. We'll need to
coordinate all our appointments through Senator Shelby's office (we
can't be in two places at once, at least not yet).

     Cooperation. We've been very lucky in that most organizations
we've contacted have been eager to work with ADAnet. With our
liberal policies about adding conferences to support the many
groups that are affiliating with ADAnet, we can truly promise that
we have a place for everyone. Our primary goal has been to exclude
no one, and welcome all.

     Friendship. Many wonderful friendships have been formed since
we started ADA and the foundation. From our vantage at this point,
we see nothing but the promise of continuing this positive
development, and encouraging its growth and development.

     Growth. We want to continue to spread the word about ADAnet
far and wide. Over the next month, we'll be concentrating on
opening the doors of disability telecommunications to the East and
the West, with gateways into Australia, the Pacific Rim and Europe.


     All of these areas have made the past months both exciting and
tons of work. It has often been the case that just as soon as a
problem pops up in the midwest, an answer comes from the North. Our
progress has been wholly the work of a dedicated and stalwart group
of volunteers who realize two simple truths:

     1) Disabled people can solve most, if not all of their own
problems.

     2) A key ingredient in solving problems is to encourage people
to talk about them.

     Many thanks to everyone that has worked so very hard in making
the network flourish over the past months. I look forward to a
brilliant future, and hope to share that future with everyone one
of you, one day at a time, and struggle by struggle.

     Keep your chin up and keep knocking those barriers down.

Bill Freeman
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                      SO...What's on ADAnet anyway?
                                    
                                    
                                    
ADAnet is  an  "Echo"  of  files and messages  that  are  updated daily.
Through the wonders of modern  telecommunications these  "echoes" can be
received  by  anyone  with  a computer,  modem,  and a phone line.  Once
"logged on"  to the host computer system  (see coverage of  ADAnet), the
user can enter a "Conference"  to  peruse  the messages or enter  one of
their own.   Also available are files of  interest  in  that conference.
The conferences that are currently carried include the following:

Disability                      Bridges                  Golden Years
Disability Law                  Employment               Arthritis
Independent Living              Cerebral Palsy           ADAchild
Mobility Impaired               Aids/Hiv                 ADAtech
Learning Disabilities           Retardation              Respiratory
Big Computer Pals               Substance Abuse          Occupational
Handicapped Digest              Alzheimers               SilentTalk
Philosophy                      Amputee                  Nurse Network
Job Accomodation Network        Anxiety                  Medical
Personality Disorder            Epilepsy                 Optometry
Spinal Injury                   Multiple Sclerosis       Chronic Pain
Cancer                          DataTalk                 Public Psychology
Adaptive Tech                   Safe Space               Mental Illness
Terminal Illness                ABLEd                    Brain Injury
Diabetes                        Rare Diseases            Alternative learning
Athlete                         EduTel                   Dwarfism
Blinktalk                       Home Office
			

*  Look for more features on these conferences in the coming Months.  *


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                           Coverage of ADAnet
                                    
                                    
                                    
Currently there are over  27  Million American's with disAbilities.  Our
goal is to have on-line  service available to  all of those  who can use
the information provided by ADAnet.  Our network consists of local nodes
supported  by  an array  of telecommunications effort.   These nodes can
receive daily updates of messages and files through the main  sytem here
in Birmingham,  which  echoes this information to  all the  other nodes.
Our network is growing daily and  eventually we will  provide local free
access to all who have access to a computer and a  modem.  Currently our
coverage is as follows:


Alabama:
	Birmingham   205-854-5863  Connection			96/H/V32B
	Birmingham   205-254-3344  MetaBoard			96/H/V32B 
	Anniston     205-238-0012  Golden Springs		96
	Montgomery   205-244-0296  Ken's BBS
	McCalla	     205-938-2145  The Round Table		24

California:
	La Mesa      619-697-8873  Shenk's Express
	Dana Point   714-770-5380  Under Dark			96/H/V32B

Colorado:
	Denver       303-650-7732  Hotel Colorado		96

Connecticutt:
	Shelton      203-337-1607  Handicap News		

Florida:
	Tampa        813-961-6242  T.A.B.B.			96
	Sarasota     813-377-1470  The Above Board		96/H/V32B
	Orlando      407-645-1658  FL.Psych.Forum BBS	

Hawaii:
	Laie         808-293-9547  Open Window			96/H/V32B

Louisiana:
	Baton Rouge  504-346-1146  Rehab TCS
	New Orleans  504-897-9204  Resource Access Prog.

Maryland:
	Baltimore    301-882-4481  The Wright Place		96/H/V32B
	Baltimore    410-752-5011  NFB Net

Missouri:
	Gladstone    816-436-4516  Sound Advice			96/H/V32B 

New Jersey:
	Madison      201-765-0164  Pick's Place

New York:
	Queensbury   518-793-9574  The Host BBS

North Carolina:
	Charlotte    704-537-7752  The Orphanage		96/H/V32B

Ohio
	Union	   513-832-1532  Med-Tech BBS

Oklahoma:
	Norman	   405-366-1449  American Cite CBBS

Pennsylvania:
	North East   814-725-8887  Hoosier Hideaway		96/H/V32B
	Erie         814-825-8534  Darby Research		96
	Yardley      215-493-5242  Buck's Telematics

Texas:
	El Paso      915-594-7806  Sky's the Limit

Virginia:
	Va. Beach    804-496-3320  HandiNet BBS			96/H/V32B

West Virginia:
	Dunbar       304-766-7807  Project Enable		96

Canada:
	Toronto, ON.		416-798-4713  Canada Remote Systems 
	Mississauga, ON.   	416-629-9263  Canada Remote Systems	
	Guelph, ON.  	  	519-821-6389  Hillside BBS		96/H/V32B
	Thunder Bay, ON.	807-767-5522  Online Now			 
	Gatineau, Quebec.	819-561-4321  Synapse BBS
	Nanaimo, B.C.		604-756-3177  Square Hole BBS
	 
* Most of these systems are volunteers - please let them know we do 
  appreciate their support. Without them, ADAnet would not be possible.

  -Also, if you do not see your Board listed here and would like to, 
  send a message to ADAnews and we will include it.
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                     ADAnet file distribution system
                                    
  -from a message by Warren King

"Well folks the AFD became a fait accompli today [10-25-91]!  AFD is the
acronym used  to refer to the ADAnet  file  distribution system.     The
participating systems of the special files designed to be of  benefit to
the disAbled community.   This will work hand in hand  with  the  ADAnet
library being established on  HandiNet  BBS in   Virginia.   The Library
will  be a  collection of files that  are  already  in circulation while
the AFD will distribute new additions to that collection....

If you have a file that you would like  to  see distributed to  all, you
would need to send a copy of that  file and  a netmail message to  me at
HandiNet BBS [Va.  Bch.] explaining what the file is...  All files  MUST
be either    public    domain    or shareware...."
                                    

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                              GREAT  IDEA!!
                                    
  -from a message by Marion Renwick (10-20-91).
                                    
This ADAnet is a great idea.  I am looking forward to using it.  I am an
Accountant  with  the Civil Service  for  24  years.   I  have  a speech
impediment and walk with the aid  of crutches.   I have been Handicapped
Employee of  the Year  both  for  the  Norfolk  Naval  Shipyard  and the
Commonwealth of Virginia.

The biggest challenges facing the disABLED is the lack of opportunities.
In my 24  years of Federal service,  I have never  received  a promotion
through the regular means!  That should not be.

By this ADAnet,  we can share experiences and ideas.   It is exciting to
have a forum where I can share my ideas and experiences with others  who
are facing the same challenges.

This  is  an  excellent forum for the disABLED  and others  who  have an
interest in the disABLED. 

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TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

by Todd Smith


     With any new adventure you have to plan for the future.
This article will let you in on a few of the ideas that are
being established and expanded daily.  Over the past several
months the Disability Law Foundation has been in the process
of pulling together a education plan.  With our aspirations
high and our pockets empty, we have decided on a multi-phased
plan that will continue to develop as funding becomes
available.

     Our immediate goal is to set up a small classroom in our
corporate offices in Birmingham, complete with several
workstations.  This will allow us to train the disabled and
those that work with the disabled in the use of
telecommunication software and ADAnet Mail Delivery System.
This classroom will be the prototype of regional training
centers that we will make widely available.

     With a simple core curriculum and regional training
centers established, we intend to add to what we can teach
and what other educational opportunities we can make
available.  Marketable skills such as word processing,
database maintenance/programming and basic spreadsheet
programming are excellent building blocks for a career.  For
those who wish a higher education, the Disability Law
Foundation has entered into negotiations with the electronic
University.  This online University will allow the disabled
person the opportunity to earn a Bachelors degree or better,
in a wide range of fields, while staying at home and near any
health care facilities that might be necessary.

     We understand that announcing opportunities for training
with telecommunication software in an electronic newsletter
is a bit odd, but think of the thousands of people who could
benefit from what we have to offer through ADAnet.  Thousands
who have never used a computer.  The opportunities we are
offering are designed to fill a need in the community.
Pointing out the need is the most important step in
fulfilling the need.  All that we have planned so far and
more will be put into action as funding is made available.

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SILENT KEYS

It is with deep regret that we record the passing of our friends
and colleagues in the Disability Community.

Dr. Joseph Moriarty - Director of the West Virginia Center 

Mr. Tim Cook - Director of the Disability Law Center, Washington

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          Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
                           Fact Sheet


                           Employment 

Employers may not discriminate against an individual with a
disability in hiring or promotion if the person is otherwise
qualified for the job.

Employers can ask about one's ability to perform a job, but
cannot inquire if someone has a disability or subject a person to
tests that tend to screen out people with disabilities. 

Employers will need to provide "reasonable accommodation" to
individuals with disabilities.  This includes steps such as job
restructuring and modification of equipment.

Employers do not need to provide accommodations that impose an
"undue hardship" on business operations.  Who needs to comply:

   All employers with 25 or more employees must comply, effective
   July 26, 1992.
   All employers with 15-24 employees must comply, effective 
   July 26, 1994.


                         Transportation 

New public transit buses ordered after August 26, 1990, must be
accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

Transit authorities must provide comparable paratransit or other
special transportation services to individuals with disabilities
who cannot use fixed route bus services, unless an undue burden
would result. 

Existing rail systems must have one accessible car per train by
July 26, 1995.

New rail cars ordered after August 26, 1990, must be accessible.

New bus and train stations must be accessible.

Key stations in rapid light, and commuter rail systems must be
made accessible by July 26, 1993, with extensions up to 20 years
for commuter rail (30 years of rapid and light rail).

All existing Amtrak stations must be accessible by July 26, 2010.



                      Public Accommodations

Private entities such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores
may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities,
effective January 26, 1992.

Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with
vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with
disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. 

Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if
removal is readily achievable.  If not alternative methods of
providing the services must be offered, if they are readily
achievable.  

All new construction and alterations of facilities must be
accessible. 

                   State and Local Government

State and local governments may not discriminate against
qualified individuals with disabilities. 

All government facilities, services, and communications must be
accessible consistent with the requirements of section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

                       Telecommunications

Companies offering telephone service to the general public must
offer telephone relay services to individuals who use
telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD's) or similar
devices. 

          This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

          -  Braille
          -  Large Print
          -  Audiotape
          -  Electronic file on computer disk
             and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193

     For more information about the ADA contact:

                    U.S. Department of Justice
                    Civil Rights Division 
                    Coordination and Review Section
                    P.O. Box 66118
                    Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
                    (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
                    (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
                    (202) 514-0383 (TDD)               

                 Americans with Disabilities Act
              Requirements in Public Accommodations
                           Fact Sheet


General

     Public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, theaters,
doctor's offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries,
parks, private schools, and day care centers, may not
discriminate on the basis of disability.  Private clubs and
religious organizations are exempt. 

     Reasonable changes in policies, practices, and procedures
must be made to avoid discrimination. 

Auxiliary Aids

     Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals
with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with
disabilities, unless an undue burden would result. 

Physical Barriers

     Physical barriers in existing facilities must be removed, if
removal is readily achievable.  If not, alternative methods of
providing the services must be offered, if they are readily
achievable.

     All new construction in public accommodations, as well as in
"commercial facilities" such as office buildings, must be
accessible.  Elevators are generally not required in buildings
under three stories or fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor,
unless the building is a shopping center, mall, or a professional
office of a health care provider. 

     Alterations must be accessible.  When alterations to primary
function areas are made, an accessible path of travel to the
altered area (and the bathrooms, telephones, and drinking
fountains serving that area) must be provided to the extent that
the added accessibility costs are not disproportionate to the
overall cost of the alterations.  Elevators are required as
described above.

     Entities such as hotels that also offer transportation must
generally provide equivalent transportation service to
individuals with disabilities.  New fixed-route vehicles capable
of carrying more than 16 passengers must be accessible. 

Remedies

     Individuals may bring private lawsuits to obtain court
orders to stop discrimination, but money damages cannot be
awarded.
     Individuals can also file complaints with the Attorney
General who may file lawsuits to stop discrimination and obtain
money damages and penalties. 

          This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

          -  Braille
          -  Large Print
          -  Audiotape
          -  Electronic file on computer disk
             and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193

          For more information about the ADA contact:

                    U.S. Department of Justice
                    Civil Rights Division 
                    Coordination and Review Section
                    P.O. Box 66118
                    Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
                    (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
                    (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
                    (202) 514-0383 (TDD)               

               Americans with Disabilities Act 
                       Statutory Deadlines


I.   Employment

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  July 26, 1992, for employers with 25 or more employees.
     -  July 26, 1994, for employers, with 15-24 employees.

II.  Public Accommodations

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  January 26, 1992, generally
     -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new vehicles   
        that are required to be accessible.
     -  January 26, 1993, for new construction.

     Generally, lawsuits may not be filed until January 26, 1992,
     In addition, except with respect to alterations, no lawsuit
     may be filed until:

     -  July 26, 1992, against businesses with 25 or few      
        employees and gross receipts of $1 million or less.
     
     -  January 26, 1993, against businesses with 10 or fewer
        employees and gross receipts of $500,000 or less.

III. Transportation 

     A.  Public bus systems

         The ADA requirements become effective on:

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new buses.

     B.  Public rail systems -- light, rapid, commuter, and   
         intercity (Amtrak) rail  

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of new rail
            vehicles.
         -  By July 26, 1995, one car per train accessibility
            must be achieved.  
         -  By July 26, 1993, existing key stations in rapid,
            light, commuter rail systems must be made accessible
            with extensions of up to 20 years (30 years, in some
            cases, for rapid and light rail).



     C.  Privately operated bus and van companies

         The ADA requirements become effective on:

         -  January 26, 1992, generally.
         -  July 26, 1996 (July 26, 1997, for small providers)
            for purchase of new over-the-road buses.
         -  August 26, 1990, for purchase or lease of certain new
            vehicles (other than over-the-road buses).  

IV.  State and local government operations

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -   January 26, 1992.

V.   Telecommunications

     The ADA requirements become effective on:

     -  July 26, 1993, for provision of relay services.

         This document is available in the following accessible
formats:

         -  Braille
         -  Large Print
         -  Audiotape
         -  Electronic file on computer disk
            and electronic bulletin board (202) 514-6193

     For more information about the ADA contact:

               U.S. Department of Justice
               Civil Rights Division 
               Coordination and Review Section
               P.O. Box 66118
               Washington, D.C.   20035-6118
               (202) 514-0301 (Voice)
               (202) 514-0381 (TDD)
               (202) 514-0383 (TDD)               
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             ASSOCIATION   of   DISABLED   AMERICANS

                     (membership application)
                                 
                                 
                                 
________________________________________________________________________
Your name (please print)

________________________________________________________________________
Address										Apt.

________________________________________________________________________
City 							State		Zip


_______  Please send me more information on ADAnet.

_______  $25 annual membership fee enclosed.

_______  $250 lifetime membership fee enclosed.


Membership fee includes Newsletter subscription, Journal subscription,
Certificate of Membership, and access to the ADAnet electronic
telecommunications Network.  

*(membership not necessary to participate on ADAnet)
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                        - - - Next Issue - - -
                                    

All our regular columns plus:

Spotlight on Computers and the Disabled.

Adaptive Technology Review - a minicourse.

Developing the Annual Disability Questionaire.

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                      - - - Special Thanks - - -

Our special thanks to the following for their support:


Roebuck Typewriter and Computer, Inc., Birmingham, AL.

Randy's Computers, Inc., Birmingham, AL.

ArtiSoft, Inc., Tucson, AR.

HyperWare, Inc., Pall Mall, TN.

PCBoard, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT.

Southern Poverty Law Center, Inc., Montgomery, AL.



Mr. Tom Bowerman, Gadsden, AL.
Mr. George Tracy, Charlotte, NC.
Mr. Gordon Gillesbey, St. Paul, MN.
Dr. Tzipporah Benavraham, New York City, NY.
Mr. Jim Winchester, Bethesda, MD.
Mr. Dave Whipp, Dunbar WV.
Mr. John Reading, Pensacola, FL.
Mr. and Mrs. David Carter, Panama City Beach, FL.
The Job Accomodation Network, Washington, DC.
Dr. Gary Edwards, Birmingham, AL.
Mr. Kirk Tcherneshoff, Birmingham, AL.

We do appreciate your help!


