What's New

• Spring Edition: Region V News (March 10)

• Supreme Court Title II cases settle before oral arguments are heard (Washington Post article, March 2)

• In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Great Lakes ADA News Service is now on-line to provide free articles for reproduction to promote awareness and understanding of current issues surrounding the ADA.

• March 21 Distance Learning Program: Effective Communication  Link to chat room for real-time captioning during March 21 session

• Transcript of the ADA Distance Learning Program: Proposed Changes to ADAAG. 

• ....more of what's new & some upcoming events

The Great Lakes Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center is one of 10 regional centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the U.S. Department of Education.  Its purpose is to provide technical assistance and training to businesses and people with disabilities regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).  The Great Lakes Center is a program of the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

States served by the Great Lakes Center include:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Michigan
• Minnesota 
• Wisconsin

Services of the Great Lakes ADA Center

Technical Assistance

The regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers operate a national toll-free information line for answering questions about the ADA. Anyone seeking information is encouraged to use this service.

(800)949-4232 (Voice/TTY)

Education and Training

The GLDBTAC provides training on request, tailored to the specific needs of each group, agency or company. The GLDBTAC also partners with agencies throughout the year to offer general education seminars.  The Center's professional training staff has over 75 years experience in disability law, issues and trends. Training sessions include lecture, discussion and hands-on participation. Training topics can include:

• Employment rights and responsibilities (job descriptions, interviewing, medical inquiry)
• Reasonable accommodations
• State & local government responsibilities
• Disability awareness
• Modification of policy & practices
• Accessibility standards & guidelines
• Effective communication
• Subject specific (i.e. accessing emergency response systems, child care, or recreation environments)

Referral Network

The GLDBTAC maintains a database of resources available in our region as well as throughout the United States regarding the ADA. Such resources include written material, consultants, architects, educators, model programs, and other services specializing in accommodating the needs of people with disabilities.

The GLDBTAC supports a Steering Committee in each of the six states served. The State Steering Committees have become the GLDBTAC's main source for developing and implementing local initiatives. They are composed of individuals representing disability, business, and government entities. The Committees are responsible for enhancing the capacity of individuals and groups to address ADA issues at the local level. This is accomplished through the provision of technical assistance, training and dissemination of materials.

• ADA for Illinois
• Indiana State ADA Steering Committee
• ADA-Ohio
• Michigan State ADA Steering Committee
• ADA Minnesota
• ADA Wisconsin Partnership

Materials Dissemination

A library of materials on the ADA, other legislation affecting people with disabilities, and related issues is maintained by the Center.  Copies of materials are available in alternative formats - Braille, large print, computer disk, cassette tape, etc.

 Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center

Department of Disability and Human Development
College of Health and Human Development Sciences
1640 Roosevelt Road (M/C 626) 
Chicago, Illinois 60608 
(800) 949-4232 (V/TTY) 
(312) 413-1407 (V/TTY) 
(312) 413-1856 (FAX) 
Send email to: gldbtac@uic.edu

 

 
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Last updated March 10, 2000

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The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  However the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.