Great Plains ADA Center

02/05/2026

And that's a wrap on the 2026 Winter ADA Coordinator Conference! Three days of ADA training and discussion have come to a close. Thank you to all of our presenters, ASL interpreters, captioners, and conference attendees for another successful event!

We also want to send a special shout out to our ADA Center staff for moderating sessions, fixing technical glitches, and doing so much behind the scenes to host this professional development event!

We want to hear from you! Favorite sessions? Presenters? Most useful piece of information you learned? New resource you can use immediately? Let us know in the comments below!

02/05/2026

Learn about the influence of seven Black activists who helped shape the Disability Rights Movement - the article includes spotlights on Brad Lomax, Dennis Billups, Fannie Lou Hamer, Willie Mae Goodman, Louise B. Miller, Donald Galloway, and Lois Curtis

Throughout history, Black activists — many of them women — have been central to advancing disability rights.

02/04/2026

February 4 is World Cancer Day, an annual global observance to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilize action. This year's theme, "United by Unique," places individuals at the center of cancer care and education. To learn more about the event, visit https://www.worldcancerday.org/

If you or someone you know is living with cancer, find out more about your ADA rights in the workplace with this guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/cancer-workplace-and-ada

02/04/2026

the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is facing another ADA-related discrimination lawsuit involving a job applicant with Type I diabetes who requested accommodation to bring her service dog to the workplace.

For a quick overview of the case, check out this article from Business Insider - https://www.businessinsider.com/hr-giant-shrm-faces-new-discrimination-lawsuit-2025-12

For a detailed analysis of the analysis, attorney William Goren recently posted this blog article - https://www.understandingtheada.com/blog/2026/01/29/shrm-service-dog-litigation-answer-possible-defenses/

The plaintiff alleges SHRM, the nation's largest HR trade group, wrongly revoked a job offer over a service dog.

02/04/2026

As deadlines for the new DOJ final rule on web and mobility accessibility near, we'll be sharing educational resources to help encourage awareness and understanding about the guidelines.

Check out this "educational overview of the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) final rule on web and mobile accessibility for state and local government entities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule establishes clear, enforceable standards to ensure individuals with disabilities can equally access public services, programs, and activities delivered online" courtesy of the legal firm Ice Miller.

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/understanding-the-doj-rule-on-web-2286366/

This page guide provides an educational overview of the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) final rule on web and mobile accessibility for...

02/04/2026

Looking for a podcast for your morning commute? Check out this episode of Enable: The Disability Podcast featuring comedian Pamela Rae Schuller as she discusses managing life and her career with Tourettes, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

The Enable podcase is released weekly and features amazing people with disabilities. You can find it on any your podcast streaming platforms!

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder often misrepresented in media.

02/04/2026

Kansas friends! If you're interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL), the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is hosting several classes that kick off in February! Check out the options below and get registered now!

Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is offering FREE Basic and Intermediate American Sign Language (ASL) classes for families and the community. You don’t want to let this opportunity pass by.

Learn American Sign Language with a Deaf Instructor! (ONLINE ASL CLASSES ONLY)

**** FIVE OPTIONS FOR FIVE WEEKS ****
Daytime and Evening Options Available

1. TUESDAYS, starting February 10th, from 11 AM to 12 PM (February 10th to March 10th) Basic ASL
2. THURSDAYS, starting February 12th, from 1 PM to 2 PM (February 12th to March 12th) Basic ASL
3. TUESDAYS, starting February 10th, from 6 PM to 7 PM (February 10th to March 10th) Basic ASL

Note: Intermediate – level ASL class (prerequisite: Basic-level ASL class.)
4. MONDAYS, starting February 9th, from 10 AM to 11 AM (February 9th to March 9th) Intermediate ASL
5. WEDNESDAYS, starting February 11th, from 7 PM to 8 PM (February 11th to March 11th) Intermediate ASL

REGISTER BY Thursday, February 5th
CONTACT MARCY.BARNESMAELZER@KS.GOV

02/03/2026

February is Black History Month! National Disability Institute put together an informative post highlighting 4 trailblazers of the disability rights movement

Black disabled leaders have always shaped history, even when history failed to recognize them.

From voting rights and civil rights to disability justice, LGBTQ+ liberation and education, Black disabled leaders helped build movements that expanded access, opportunity and participation for millions. Too often, their disabilities are erased from the story, or their contributions are overlooked altogether.

At NDI, we believe disability inclusion is essential to understanding our shared history and to building an economy that works for everyone.

We’d love to hear from you. Tell us in the comments about Black disabled leaders who inspire you or whose stories you value.

Image description: A teal graphic titled “Black Disabled Leaders Who Shaped History.” The image features four Black leaders shown from left to right. Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977) is identified as having mobility impairment, chronic pain and vision loss, and as a powerful advocate for voting rights, economic justice and health equity. Brad Lomax (1950–1984), who had multiple sclerosis, is described as a key organizer who helped bridge the Black civil rights and disability rights movements. Audre Lorde (1934–1992), who lived with cancer and chronic illness, is described as a poet, essayist and activist who shaped feminist, Black liberation, LGBTQ+ and disability justice movements. Barbara Jordan (1936–1996), who had multiple sclerosis, is described as a trailblazing lawyer, educator and politician.

02/03/2026

An important moment in Disability History we should always remember - February 2, 1972. Investigative journalist, Geraldo Rivera, uncovered the inhumane conditions at Willowbrook State School, triggering an important conversation about institutionalization of people with disabilities, community integration, and community living

02/03/2026

February is Turner Syndrome Awareness Month?

Every February, the Turner syndrome community comes together to educate, empower, and raise awareness for the 1 in 2,000 females worldwide born with TS, a genetic condition caused by the complete or partial loss of one X chromosome.

🔗 Visit https://turnersyndromefoundation.org/volunteer_take_action/awareness/ to explore all the ways to get involved, like storytelling, social sharing, fundraising, community events, and more. Be sure to follow the Turner Syndrome Foundation for r special observance throughout the month!

Turner Syndrome Awareness Month is here!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Every February, the Turner syndrome community comes together to educate, empower, and raise awareness for the 1 in 2,000 females worldwide born with TS, a genetic condition caused by the complete or partial loss of one X chromosome. 🧬

Throughout this month, we’ll be amplifying voices, sharing powerful stories, and advocating for better care, more research, and earlier diagnosis.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, family member, friend, or ally, you have a role to play. EVERYONE can take action to create awareness, and we've put together many ways for you to get involved this month.

✨ Let’s make 2026 the loudest, proudest, most impactful TS Awareness Month yet.

🔗 Visit https://turnersyndromefoundation.org/volunteer_take_action/awareness/ to explore all the ways to get involved, like storytelling, social sharing, fundraising, community events, and more.

02/03/2026

Helpful resource from New Mobility about funding accessibility home modifications

Funding a home accessibility remodel or a new build of an accessible home is likely to be one of the biggest expenses you'll ever have. But there are a variety of programs that can help ease the financial load. This guide breaks down the various funding streams you can use to make your dreams of an accessible home a reality.

https://newmobility.com/funding-accessible-home-modifications/

02/02/2026

February 2 is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness about the impact RA has on daily life. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints and can affect the whole body.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can be considered a disability under the ADA, depending on how it affects the individual. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as walking, working, lifting, or using one’s hands). Because RA can cause chronic pain, fatigue, joint damage, and mobility limitations, it often meets this definition, especially during flare-ups.

Learn more about arthritis and workplace accommodations that can support employees with the condition: bit.ly/jan-arthritis.