A new monument to commemorate a disability rights protest, the DOT requires news planes to have accessible bathrooms, Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art was not kind to a disabled visitor, and more news for the week ending July 29, 2023.
Spotlight
$2.3m grant will fund Denver monument to historic disability rights protest It commemorates the Gang of 19 protest, a milestone for disability rights that took place in July 1978 when activists in wheelchairs protesting the inaccessibility of Denver’s public transit blocked buses. (theartnewspaper.com)
States
Illinois: Will Chicago meet an Aug. 21 deadline to train staff on how and when they can restrain students? Chicago Public Schools has until the start of school on Aug. 21 to train at least two employees at each of its over 600 schools in the use of student restraint and timeout or miss another deadline set by the state to comply with a 2021 state law. (Chalkbeat.org)
Georgia: How Georgia is retaining new special ed leaders The state’s Special Education Leadership Development Academy offers continuous training resources and coaching for new administrators. (k12dive.com)
Massachusetts: Boston Brakes Campaign Announced To Increase Safety of Pedestrians With Disabilities (eastietimes.com)
Accessibility
Accessible bathrooms: New planes to face stricter requirements from DOT The rule will require enhanced accessibility features in lavatories on newly-delivered single-aisle airplanes starting in 2026. (USA Today)
CVS Rolls Out Collection Of Accessible Products The drugstore’s Universal Tools collection includes six items that the company said were all created in collaboration with members of the disability community. (Disabilityscoop.com)
How to Make Your Home Accessible Tap into the resources available from states, nonprofits, developers and housing groups to make spaces work for families of all abilities. (nytimes.com)
Speeches
Senator John Fetterman gives emotional speech about disability rights Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) delivered an emotional speech about his disability to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (independent.co.uk)
Bullshit
National Gallery of Art Apologizes for Removing Visitor With Disability A visitor with a disability was not allowed to wear their double-shoulder bag, which had medical supplies. (hyperallergic.com)
CORRECTION: The Boost Friday newsletter incorrectly identified the visitor as “he.”
Federal News
Autism Society’s Capitol Connection’s July summary Includes Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) reintroducting the IDEA Full Funding Act in the Senate and House; and the Senate Special Committee on Aging hosting a hearing on adequate housing, stability, and home modifications for supporting people with disabilities in order for them to remain in their homes. (autismsociety.org)
