June 2026
Volume 19 Issue 8
The Bumpy Path Ahead: Accessibility Considerations for Exterior Surfaces (Recorded)
Beyond Code Minimums: Designing Accessible Kitchens & Bathrooms (Recorded)
In 2024, Title II of the ADA received an update with new regulations for web content and mobile apps as well as a new technical standard (WCAG 2.1 Level AA). However, state and local governments aren’t the only ones with web accessibility requirements. Title III covered entities like businesses and nonprofits are still subject to the ADA’s general nondiscrimination requirements and have experienced legal action when they fail to comply. This year, Level Access published a blog highlighting lawsuit trends, risks, and how Title III entities can protect themselves. Here were some of their key findings:
Level Access recommends the following steps to mitigate risk which they state reflect commonly cited accessibility practices in settlement agreements:
Learn More: Web Accessibility Lawsuits: Trends, Risks, and How to Protect your Business - Level Access
New DOJ Opinion: Integration Not Required by the ADA or 504
On June 18th, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a “slip opinion” from their Office of Legal Counsel which claims that neither the ADA nor Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires states to serve people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. This opinion came only days before the 27th anniversary of the landmark Olmstead v. LC decision which found that unjustified institutionalization can be a form of discrimination. Disability advocates, like the Arc, have shared concern about how the DOJ opinion on Olmstead threatens the rights of people with disabilities to live in their community.
DOJ and HHS Sued Over Delay of Web Accessibility Rules
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has filed a lawsuit against DOJ and HHS. Recently, both agencies issued Interim Final Rules (IFRs) postponing their new web accessibility compliance deadlines. The NFB lawsuit argues that the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act by issuing the delays without required notice-and-comment procedures and without adequately considering the significant harms to people with disabilities. Learn more about the NFB lawsuit about federal web accessibility compliance deadlines.
Education Enforcement: The Office for Civil Rights is Moving
The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is moving to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). OCR's staff of civil rights lawyers are tasked with protecting students in K-12 schools and universities from discrimination based on disability, gender, race and national origin. Learn more about changes being made to civil rights enforcement in education. Check out the Department of Education’s Fact Sheets about their disability programs.
Bill to Require Adult-Sized Changing Tables in New Large Public Buildings
House Bill 4379, if signed by the Governor, will serve as an extension to Sami’s Law which requires interstate highway rest stops to have an adult-sized changing table within an accessible stall. Specifically, the measure will require large, public building developments constructed after January 1, 2029 to include an adult changing station in a bathroom stall if they exceed 40,000 square feet and have a capacity over 1,500.
Learn more: Briel-expanded Sami’s Law for Illinois Children, Adults with Disabilities Hits Governor’s Desk
Law Would Prohibit Employers from Requiring Driver’s License
If passed, House Bill 4758 would prohibit employers and employment agencies from requiring applicants to have a valid driver’s license in job postings unless driving is an essential function of the position and is considered a business necessity. Advocates estimate nearly 1.85 million Illinoisans face barriers to employment because they do not possess a driver’s license, including many people with disabilities who rely on public transportation, paratransit services, rides from caregivers, family members or other accessible transportation options.
Learn more: Belt measure removing employment barriers for people with disabilities passes Senate
Large Turn Out for 2026 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games
More than 5,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans came to Terre Haute on June 12th – 14th to participate in the 2026 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games on the campuses of Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Seven sports were featured during this year's games: athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, cycling, powerlifting, swimming and volleyball.
Learn more: The 2026 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games
Funds Support Skill-Building for People with IDD
The MolinaCares Accord has awarded $100,000 to the Arc of Indiana to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The grant will fund two virtual curriculum tracks within the network, focusing on leadership, advocacy, health and wellness. The Arc expects to support 100 individuals in the initial sessions and will also develop a toolkit to share learnings from the curriculums with other states.
Learn more: Grant boosts Indiana advocacy training for people with disabilities
Continued Funding Sought by Work Program for Students with Disabilities
Project SEARCH helps students with disabilities obtain internships and independence skills with the goal of finding employment. About two-thirds of graduates are employed within nine months of graduating. Leaders are asking the Michigan Legislature to renew funding in the next state budget.
Learn more: Work program helps Michigan students with disabilities. Will funding run dry?
Committee Created to Examine Special Education Programs
Members of the State Board of Education voted unanimously to convene a committee to examine special education programs in Michigan and to work with stakeholders to review statewide needs. The committee will focus on identifying best practices, promising potential outcomes, elevating stakeholder perspectives and, hopefully, support efforts to improve special education services across Michigan. Initial planning is expected to begin this summer with visits to local school districts expected to start this fall. Public notice for all meetings will be issued in advance.
Learn more: State Board of Education forms special education review committee
Expanding Efforts to Improve Outcome for Students with Disabilities
The Michigan Department of Education has seen recent gains in graduation rates and other performance measures, however, additional work is needed to ensure students with disabilities receive the support necessary to succeed in school and beyond. State data shows the four-year graduation rate for students with disabilities reached about 62% during the 2024-25 school year, a 5% increase from the 2014-15 school year. The findings are helping shape the department’s strategy moving forward, with officials emphasizing stronger collaboration between general and special education programs.
Learn more: Michigan seeks to improve graduation rates for students with disabilities
Minnesota Prepares to Host the 2026 Special Olympics
The Twin Cities is hosting the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games from June 20–26, 2026. More than 3,000 athletes from all 50 states will compete over the seven days. They are expected to be supported by over 1,500 coaches and caregivers from other states. The games will feature 16 team and individual sports: Athletics (track and field), basketball, bocce, bowling, competitive cheer, cornhole, flag football, golf, gymnastics, pickleball, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Minnesota will also have a strong hometown presence, with more than 189 athletes representing the state in front of local crowds.
Learn more: Minnesota prepares to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA
New Bill to Strengthen Disability Accommodations
The Minnesota Legislature officially passed Senate File 3210 (SF 3210). By explicitly tying the provision of accommodations to anti-discrimination protections, the bill gives individuals greater leverage in several key areas:
Learn more: Minnesota Legislature passes bill to strengthen disability accommodations
Proposal to End Medicaid Waiver Payments Dropped
A controversial proposal that would have ended Medicaid waiver payments for family caregivers has been removed from legislation moving forward. The change follows days of pushback from people with disabilities, their families, and advocates.
Learn more: Ohio drops proposal targeting families caring for disabled loved ones
Report Suggests Disability Discrimination in Cincinnati Rental Housing
Federal fair housing laws require landlords to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, like providing accessible parking. But a report from Housing Opportunities Made Equal suggests that almost half the rental housing the organization tested over the last year didn't do that. The organization undertook 62 investigations between January 2025 and March 2026, the report says. In 29 of those investigations, it found proof landlords had engaged in some form of discrimination against prospective or existing tenants who were disabled. In another 20 cases, HOME couldn't rule out claims of discrimination.
Learn more: Report: Disability discrimination high in Greater Cincinnati rental housing
Improved Access to Apostle Islands
The nonprofit group Friends of the Apostle Islands raised about $350,000 toward a project to build a 500-foot ramp that gradually slopes down to Meyers Beach along with a new staircase. That’s just over half of the funds needed. The rest of the funding will come from the Centennial Challenge fund, a matching grant program that supports improvements at national parks. Jeff Rennicke, the group’s executive director, said construction is set to begin later this month. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore drew in around 261,000 visitors last year. Rennicke said almost 60 percent of visitors pass through Meyers Beach.
Learn more: People living with disabilities may soon find it easier to access the Apostle Islands
Federal Changes in Special Education and Civil Rights Concern Advocates
Wisconsin disability advocates are concerned about what recent federal changes in special education and civil rights could mean for students with disabilities. The changes involve moving the operations of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights out of the Department of Education. The Department of Health and Human Services will run special education, while the Department of Justice will take up the duties of student civil rights. While the federal representatives state that these changes will lead to greater efficiency, advocates state that the bigger issue has been a lack of funding and support, rather than how it’s administered in the Department of Education.
Learn more: Federal special education changes aim for efficiency but worry Wisconsin disability advocates
New Guide for Law Enforcement: Mental Health and IDD
The Arc created a new resource to help law enforcement and other first responders with disability-related communication strategies, de-escalation and trauma-informed approaches. Check out the guide on co-occurring mental health and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) for law enforcement.
Toolkit: Secure Your Financial Future
This toolkit is a resource designed to support people with disabilities and the people who assist them. Whether you're preparing for a new job, navigating your current role, planning for retirement, or assisting someone in this process, the toolkit offers financial education tools and resources for every stage of the employment journey. Learn more about this toolkit from the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Research & Policy: Caregivers with Disabilities
An estimated 36% of adult family caregivers in the U.S. are disabled themselves. Despite disabled caregivers making up over a third of the caregiving population in the United States, we do not know much about their caregiving experiences, health or well-being. Check out this Brandeis research brief and their findings from recent data on caregivers with disabilities.
Answer: Yes. People with disabilities may request modifications to zoning laws or other local ordinances that have an adverse impact on people with disabilities and/or limit a qualified person’s equal access to local government programs, services or activities based on disability. Programs, services and activities can include things like public infrastructure, land usage, etc.
It may not always be reasonable to modify a law or ordinance. The ADA requires an individualized analysis to determine if a modification is necessary to avoid discrimination, if the request would result in a fundamental alteration and/or if it would result in a direct threat to health or safety. Local governments are also expected to consider reasonable alternatives when a particular request would result in a fundamental alteration or a direct threat.
Common examples of local ordinances which can lead to discrimination include:
Set-Back Minimums: City zoning ordinances may require a minimum distance, or “set-back”, between a business and the curb (e.g. 12 feet). This can limit the business owner’s ability to install ADA-compliant ramps without a variance from the municipality
Animal Ordinances: Local animal ordinances may dictate the species or number of animals a person can legally own and where they can take them (e.g. a local ordinance may ban animals from entering healthcare clinics). In some instances, these ordinances impact the use of trained service animals or people with disabilities who keep animals at home for emotional support.
In addition to making modifications upon request, cities and local municipalities should consider updating modification processes and local laws, where reasonable, to proactively address discrimination and meet the disability-related needs of their community.
Resource(s):
Learn more by visiting our ADA Frequently Asked Questions.
Walmart agreed to pay $230,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability hiring discrimination lawsuit. According to the suit, a deaf applicant requested an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter when contacted for an interview. Walmart never followed through and instead hired three hearing applicants.
EEOC v. Magnera Corporation, formerly known as Berry Global, Inc.
Magnera Corporation will pay $130,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit. According to the suit, they discriminated against an employee by requiring her to produce a doctor’s release clearing her to return to work after she took approved personal time off. Although the company’s onsite certified physician assistant cleared the employee to return to work, the human resources manager demanded the employee complete family medical leave paperwork even though she had not requested medical leave. The company fired the employee when she could not produce the requested paperwork.
A G Equipment will pay $4,250,000 to over 40 workers and provide other relief to settle a religious and disability discrimination lawsuit. According to the suit, A G Equipment mandated that all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccination and told workers no exemptions would be permitted for any reason. One worker supplemented their request with a doctor’s note requesting an exemption due to a medical condition. The company refused to discuss the employees’ requests and fired all individuals who did not provide proof of vaccination including workers who requested accommodations.
According to the lawsuit, a Buc-ee’s cashier requested a reasonable accommodation for physician-imposed restrictions related to his disability, myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular condition. Among the accommodations, he requested to have seating available at his workstation so that he could avoid standing continuously for more than 15 minutes at a time and regain his stamina after standing. Buc-ee’s denied the cashier’s request, requiring that he stand continuously, and eventually the company fired him after he was unable to return to work due to denial of his accommodation request.
Tumbleson v. Lakota Local School District
A teacher with hearing and vision disabilities, sought paid sick leave to attend a mandatory three‑week out‑of‑state guide dog training course. The district denied her request, citing its sick‑leave policy, which did not classify such training as a “personal illness.” Instead, it offered her unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Finding no violations of the ADA, the 6th Circuit determined the teacher could not point to any examples of nondisabled employees who were granted paid sick leave “even when the employee’s proposed absence did not qualify for that leave.” Further, it said, unpaid leave was a suitable reasonable accommodation, even if it was not her preferred one.
National Federation of the Blind v. Oregon State University (OSU)
OSU has agreed to a $475,000 settlement with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). The NFB presented claims on behalf of a student which asserted that STEM course material wasn’t provided to the student in a timely or accurate manner. OSU is adding positions, training new and existing staff, working with course material providers, and investing in technology.
Payan v. Los Angeles Community College District
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordered the trial court to reinstate a jury verdict awarding $242,500 in damages to two blind students who experienced disability discrimination while enrolled at Los Angeles City College, part of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). In a published decision, the court confirmed that plaintiffs who bring claims under Title II of the ADA may receive substantial non-economic damages for lost educational opportunities. Throughout their time at LACCD, the two students faced problems like inaccessible course software, delayed or inaccessible textbooks and course materials, inaccessible library resources, difficulties obtaining testing accommodations, inaccessible school websites and registration systems, and discriminatory “steering away” from certain courses.
United Spinal Association v. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
United Spinal Association and others filed a complaint in the Northern District of Florida federal court challenging a Florida law that impacts access to disability parking spaces. Under the Florida law that went into effect on July 1, 2025, the only requirement to receive a pregnancy parking permit is pregnancy. The applicant does not need to show any mobility impairment or other disability. As a result, thousands of Floridians without disabilities are parking in accessible spaces that, under federal law, are reserved for people with disabilities. The complaint alleges that this violates the ADA.
