February 2011

#5 February 2011

Brought to you by: The Florida Office on Disability & Health http://fodh.phhp.ufl.edu

“Accessibility for All”

Florida Office on Disability & Health

The Florida Office on Disability and Health (FODH) was created in 2007 through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The mission of FODH is to maximize the health, well-being, participation, & quality of life, throughout the lifespan of all Floridians & their families living with disability.

Resources:

Traveling with Disabilities-A State Department Brochure

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_5967.html

This brochure from the State Department has travel planning suggestions and tips for persons with disabilities. Topics include traveling with medications and required equipment, how to request accommodations and how to pack for travel.

ADA Standards for Accessible Design
http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm

The Justice Department (DOJ) has made available online the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.  These standards were adopted as part of the revised regulations for Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. When the standards go into effect on March 15, 2012, they will set minimum requirements – both scoping and technical – for new construction and alterations of the facilities of more than 80,000 state and local governments and over seven million businesses.  DOJ has also posted on the website important guidance about the standards compiled from material in the Title II and Title III regulations.

Partner Highlight: The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

The Commission brings the Disability Communities together to speak with one voice, enabling all Floridians with disabilities to maximize their individual independence and community inclusion.

The Commission’s mission is to identify barriers all persons with disabilities face, along with recommendations to overcome those barriers. By enhancing and empowering the lives of Floridians with disabilities, their families, and communities, all persons with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to maximize their individual strengths and independence; increase their community involvement; and more fully participate in the opportunities, responsibilities, and benefits our great state has to offer.

The Clearinghouse on Disability Information (CDI) continues to play a leading role in the dissemination of relevant information and referrals to various service organizations assisting persons with disabilities, the elderly, and veterans with disabilities. A trained disability specialist handles each telephone call, e-mail, and letter to the CDI.

As with the Commission, the CDI partners with agencies and entities throughout the state and nation to ensure that Florida’s disability community, veterans, and the elderly receive accurate and thorough information, referral, and, when necessary, advocacy. In addition to supplying referrals for services, the Clearinghouse is called upon to advise both state and county organizations on relevant ADA guidelines and other disability related laws. For more information on the Commission and the Clearinghouse on Disability Information please visit: http://fldisabilityinfo.com/ or call 1-877-ADA-4YOU (232-4968) Toll Free – Voice – TTY

Please visit our website at http://fodh.phhp.ufl.edu for Florida data, links to national resources about disability and health, and more!

For questions on this Bulletin contact ctamayo@phhp.ufl.edu

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