Ability Pathways, LLC

09/04/2025

Deaf Awareness Month is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of the importance of equity, inclusion, and access. This month encourages us to honor the history, language, and culture of Deaf communities while also reflecting on the barriers that remain.

ID:
Poster reads “September is Deaf History Month!” with ASL “I love you” sign.
Why It Matters:
• Language: ASL is a cornerstone of Deaf identity with a powerful legacy.
• Culture: Deaf culture has shaped education, civil rights, and community traditions.
• Access: Equal access is part of the ongoing fight for equity and recognition.
Everyday Life Tips: face the person, use captions, don’t rely on lip reading, write things down, ask about communication preferences.

09/01/2025

There’s often confusion around service animals, so here’s some clarification:

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are not required to be registered, licensed, or certified through any national database. In fact, there is no official federal registry for service animals.

A service dog is defined as a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability.

For businesses, the ADA only allows two questions to be asked if it’s not obvious what the dog does:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?

2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

It’s best not to question someone’s animal unless it is disruptive or out of control. Businesses that illegally deny access to someone with a legitimate service dog can be sued.

Let’s spread awareness and respect the rights of people with disabilities. 🐾

07/25/2025

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, marking a historic milestone in the fight for civil rights. It continues to protect the rights of more than 61 million people with disabilities across the United States.

How many titles are in the ADA?

FIVE.

♿ Title I – Employment
Protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, including hiring, promotions, and accommodations.

♿ Title II – Public Services
Ensures that state and local governments provide equal access to their programs, services, and activities.

♿ Title III – Public Accommodations
Requires businesses open to the public,like restaurants, hotels, stores, and theaters, to be accessible to people with disabilities.

♿ Title IV – Telecommunications
Mandates that telephone and internet companies offer accessible communication options for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities, such as relay services.

♿ Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions
Includes a range of additional protections, including anti-retaliation clauses and important legal definitions that support the enforcement of the ADA.

“We must never forget that accessibility is not a favor or a privilege. It is a fundamental right. -Judith Heumann

ID: A bright yellow poster with the text “ADA 35” in bold green and black, featuring the Disability Pride flag above it. Below, it says “WE WON’T GO BACK” in black. Logos for Disability EmpowHer Network and Great Lakes ADA Center appear at the bottom with their websites and contact info.

07/25/2025

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University will host pioneering training sessions from August 7 to 20 in the language of Protactile (PT), an emerging language within the DeafBlind community.

07/02/2025

05/28/2025

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) does not explicitly state that creating a burden to obtain disability documentation is prohibited, but it reinforces key principles that strongly discourage such burdensome practices, especially when they create barriers to access. Example: If a college or employer requires a person with a clearly observable disability to go through unnecessary testing or excessive paperwork to receive accommodations, that could be seen as a violation of their rights under the ADAAA.

When an employee requests an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this sets into motion an interactive process intended to...

12/21/2024

If you are not already aware, the U.S. Department of Labor has finally proposed eliminating the 14C certificates that allow employers to legally pay individuals below the national minimum wage with the average sub-minimum wage being equivalent to about $3.50 per hour. It is an outdated policy from the 1930's and remains a legal way to discriminate against people with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant disabilities.

This is a crucial time when public comment is being accepted on the regulation and I would strongly encourage anyone to take a few minutes and submit your feedback on the regulation at the link below prior to Jan 17, 2025.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA or Act) authorizes the Secretary of Labor to issue certificates allowing employers to pay productivity-based subminimum wages to workers with disabilities, but only where such certificates are necessary to prevent the curtailment of opportunities for employment....

11/19/2024

🌟 DeafTEC | Project Access 🌟
Teaching and learning happen in many contexts—and access matters in all of them!

🧰 Support Services That Empower
💬 Sign Language Interpreters – Bridging communication gaps.
📝 Notetakers & Captionists – Making information accessible for all.
🎓 Tutors Who Use Sign Language – Providing tailored academic support.
📡 Environmental Classroom Systems – Optimizing learning environments for success.

Explore how to ensure equal access and inclusion in education. Start your journey today at learn.deaftec.org.

11/14/2024

10/06/2024

Supplemental Security Income provides the medical care that lets people work. But its rules are complex and out of date.

10/05/2024

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and to recognize the continued work needed to create inclusive, equitable employment opportunities. As we honor this year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All”, let’s reflect on the progress we’ve made toward greater inclusion and the barriers that still exist, especially for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Too often, limited access to communication and misunderstanding of the unique skills of the Deaf community can hinder employment opportunities. We must all intentionally create accessible workplaces that embrace diversity in all its forms.

Let’s continue to build partnerships, challenge outdated systems, and champion workplace inclusion where everyone has the tools and opportunities to thrive. Together, we can move the needle and ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to succeed.

Each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or “NDEAM,” we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s...

10/01/2024