The National Business & Disability Council

Legislation Update

President Obama Instructs Federal Agencies to Increase Employment of Workers with Disabilities

July 2010  — 

President Obama recently issued an executive order instructing federal agencies to take steps to increase employment of people with disabilities. The order instructs agencies to take steps to meet a goal of hiring an additional 100,000 employees with disabilities over a five year period. President Obama stated that little steps were taken to reach the original goal set by President Clinton in a July 2000 executive order and additional effort by the federal government is expected in the employment of workers with disabilities through increased recruitment, hiring, and retention.

The Access Board releases Requirements for Communication Technology

April 2010  — 

The Access Board has released a draft of updated requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act. As part of this rulemaking, the Board proposes to supplement its ADA Accessibility Guidelines to include certain types of interactive transaction machines such as point-of-sales machines and self-service kiosks. Public comments are due by June 21, 2010. On April 1, 2010 the Board will conduct a webinar on the rule to review and explain changes. 

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

October 2009  — 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that its poster may change to include information about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and that the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster may change as well. Signed into law on May 21, 2008, this law will go into effect on November 21, 2009, and is intended to prevent employers from discriminating against individuals based on genetic tests and information

Twenty-First Century communications and Video Accessibility Act

July 2009  — 

Last month, the Twenty-First Century communications and Video Accessibility Act was re-introduced into legislation. This comprehensive legislation is designed to expand access for people who are blind or have other disabilities to telecommunications equipment and video programming.

The Mental Health Parity Act

May 2009  — 

The Mental Health Parity is a Federal law and its requirements for group health plans became permanent on October 3, 2008; however, there are new required provisions employers need to know that will apply to health plan years beginning after October 3, 2009.  For calendar year plans, the effective date is January 1, 2010, therefore it is suggested that employers begin to re-evaluate their health plans and establish a plan for compliance as soon as possible.

 

ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) Update

March 2009  —