NAD News
This lists all Latest News items from the NAD and its affiliates. It also includes news items from outside groups on topics that are in line with the mission of the NAD. Media queries: please use our Contact form.
On July 26, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued four advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRMs) calling for public comments about proposed updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which would affect the rules for websites, movie theatres, 9-1-1 services, and equipment/furniture manufacturers. The DOJ uses ANPRMs to announce rules that it plans to change and seek input from the public to help shape the new regulations.
The U.S. Senate passed the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (S. 3304) on August 5, 2010, by unanimous consent! Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of advocates across the country and in Washington, DC, the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), of which the NAD is a leader and steering committee member along with other disability organizations, secured a monumental step forward in accessible technology. Earlier this week, Senator Pryor (D-AR) introduced an amendment to improve S. 3304. S. 3304, as amended, was passed by U.S.
Advocacy works! The U.S. Senate improved S. 3304, adopting some of the elements of H.R. 3101 and "hotlined" the bill to be passed by unanimous consent this week. Call your Senators TODAY. Ask them to support passage of S. 3304.
UPDATE: The U.S. Senate passed the improved S. 3304 on August 5, 2010. S. 3304 will now go to the U.S. House of Representatives. We expect the House will pass S. 3304 soon.
On July 26, 2010, the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (H.R. 3101) with a vote of 348 to 23. The NAD thanks U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), for authoring, introducing, and championing H.R. 3101 and Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA), Joe Barton (R-TX), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Jay Inslee (D-WA), and Cliff Stearns (R-FL), for their leadership in this bipartisan effort. The fight is not over just yet. Here’s why…
On Monday, July 26, during the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the ADA, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing plans for the Federal Government to hire more people with disabilities. This order move will not only provide jobs to many disabled individuals, but also make the federal government a “model employer of individuals with disabilities,” which will encourage private employers to follow their example.
At the 50th Biennial NAD Conference in Philadelphia, a special announcement was made on July 7, 2010 during the Welcome Ceremony by Barbara Jean “BJ” Wood, Annette Posell, Julie Rems-Smario and Jerry Nelson. With the approval of and on behalf of the NAD Board of Directors, they announced the establishment of a scholarship fund in honor of departing Chief Executive Officer Nancy J. Bloch, who has served the American deaf and hard of hearing community for 18 years.
The NAD Board of Directors wishes to take this opportunity to recognize again the outstanding efforts of individuals and corporate entities who received awards during the 50th Biennial NAD Conference, in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the American deaf and hard of hearing community, listed below. Click here to learn more about each award and view recipient photographs. Hats off to all!
Continuing and new members of the NAD Board of Directors were sworn in on Saturday, July 10, 2010 by Past President Mervin D. Garretson, during the conclusion of the Council of Representatives session at the 50th Biennial NAD Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
Four officers were voted in by delegates to the Council of Representatives for the 2010-2012 term. Bobbie Beth Scoggins and Christopher D. Wagner were reelected to their third term as president and vice president, respectively. Sheri Farinha and Michael Michner were elected as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) applauds and thanks the House Energy and Commerce Committee for voting favorably on July 21, 2010, for the “Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010” (H.R. 3101). Next, H.R. 3101 will be voted on by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. After that, the NAD will ask the U.S. Senate to promptly pass H.R. 3101.
On Monday, July 19, 2010 the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED) opened its 21st Congress with a historic announcement that it formally rejects the resolutions passed at its 2nd Congress (commonly known as the 1880 Milan Congress) which discouraged the use of sign language in the education of the deaf. This move follows a recent letter by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and numerous advocacy organizations and leaders throughout the world urging the ICED to formally reject their previous resolutions and embrace signed languages and deaf cultures.
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