The Great Lakes Vine features information from various entities and organizations that partner with the Great Lakes ADA Center to foster voluntary compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In a continuing effort to have diverse representation on the Board of Trustees and Professional Advisory Board, ADA-OHIO has added individuals who represent the Somali and Hispanic populations. These representatives will assist in the committee's outreach to these communities by assisting the staff and membership in tailoring our information to meet their unique needs and help the committee in learning more about the Somali and Hispanic cultures. Angie Plummer is Executive Director of the Community Refuge and Immigration Services in Columbus, OH. She is also an attorney and formerly the ADA Coordinator for the Ohio State Department of Administrative Services. Diego Solis is Attending Pediatric Dentist for The Ohio State University Nisonger Center. His focus is children of limited income who receive medical services through the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Solis is also active on several committees of Latino Empowerment Outreach Network (LEON).
The University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Disability and Human Development offers a Master of Science program in Disability and Human Development. This graduate degree is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in human service organizations, as well as to develop fundamental skills of research and scholarship in the disability field. The curriculum examines disability and human development across the life span with an emphasis on understanding the complex cultural, legal, programmatic, and theoretical context of disability in society. Study and research are available in two areas of specialization: disability studies and social policy and rehabilitation technology. The program articulates closely with the College's interdepartmental Ph.D. program in Disability Studies. For additional information or for application materials, please contact the department at:
Department of Disability and Human Development (M/C 626)ADA-Indiana as part of its celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act is offering a commemorative calendar. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will be used to support Indiana's 15th Anniversary ADA Celebration in July 2005, and will fund other ADA-related activities in the state. To promote accessible polling places ADA-Indiana funded the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities guide for local election officials in Indiana. The guide called, "Removing Barriers for Voters with Disabilities" is tailored for Indiana counties provide information on local resources, grant templates to fund barrier removal, and information to promote accessible voting. Local election officials were encouraged to use the guide in conjunction with federal publications, such as the "ADA Checklist for Polling Places" from the United States Department of Justice that was distributed to all 92 county election officials in the state by ADA-Indiana.
The Michigan ADA Steering Committee has added three new members to the state steering committee. The new members are Ross Heron of Disability Access Inc., Jackie Heron of EMWAKEN, Inc and Linda Williams of the Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Mr. Heron provides guidance and information to employers regarding the ADAAG, building code compliance, and ergonomic workstations. Ms. Heron disseminates information and conducts trainings on chronic disease and disability management, and self-help skills. Linda Williams is a Rehabilitation Counselor at Michigan Rehabilitation Services in Detroit, MI. She has conducted ADA/Disability Awareness training to employees at the City of Detroit IT Department.