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News Around Southeast Region
States:
Alabama (AL) News
Alabama Passes Bill to Allow Autism Therapy Dogs in Schools
The Alabama state legislature has passed a bill allowing all types of service dogs, including autism therapy dogs, in schools across the state.
Source: Care2.com
Florida (FL) News
Florida Charter Schools Failing Disabled Students
Statewide, 86 percent of charter schools do not have any students classified as severely disabled. That's despite state and federal laws that require charter schools to give equal access to these students.
Source: National Public Radio (NPR)
Can Charter Schools Legally Turn away Kids with Severe Disabilities?
State education officials say no school is required to take every student with every disability. But lawyers are divided on whether charter schools can legally turn kids away.
| Related: School Board Member Says Her Special Needs Daughter Was Forced To Leave A Charter School.
Source: WUSF 89.7 News, FL
Former 7-Eleven Manager Awarded $934K in Discrimination Suit
James Soliday had worked for 7-Eleven for 26 years. The 58-year-old Naples man is deaf, but he worked his way up the worldwide retailer's ranks because his bosses always accommodated him. Three years ago, however, a new boss arrived and that all stopped.
Source: Marco Eagle, FL
Georgia (GA) News
Georgia Radio Reading Service Produces “At Your Service” and “Be Prepared” Broadcast Archives
The Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS) has produced two radio broadcasts — “At Your Service” and “Be Prepared” which are now available on the Georgia State ADA Coordinator website in both MP3 and Microsoft Word transcription formats. The broadcasts in the series are also available to download.
- Be Prepared Radio Broadcast - a short public service announcement program featuring emergency preparedness tips and information for individuals with disabilities.
- At Your Service Radio Broadcast - a 28-minute program featuring agencies that provide services and information for people with disabilities.
Sources: State of Georgia ADA Coordinator Office, Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS)
Beauty Shop Battle: Woman Claims Discrimination
A Gainesville, Georgia woman claims she was turned away from an Oakwood hair salon because she uses a wheelchair.
Source: WXIA-TV, GA
Hot News in Transportation
The Georgia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) provides an update on the status of accessible transportation projects.
Source: Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), GA
DisAbility Link Speaks to Exchange Friday
The Rome (Georgia) Exchange Club played host Friday to disAbility Link Northwest, an organization that helps people with disabilities lead more fruitful and productive lives. This story includes a video with no captions. DisAbility Link Northwest, located in Rome, Georgia, is a Local Affiliate of the Southeast ADA Center.
Source: Rome News-Tribune, GA
Kentucky (KY) News
Representative Fights to Extend ADA Protections
In an effort to ensure those with disabilities are not denied access to treatment in and around their homes, state Representative Richard Henderson is pre-filing legislation that would call on neighborhood associations across Kentucky to comply with the ADA.
Source: Surf KY News, KY
Playhouse for Boy with Cerebral Palsy Causing Controversy in Lexington Neighborhood
A custom-made playhouse for a young boy with Cerebral Palsy has become the cause of a big debate in one Lexington, Kentucky, neighborhood. Note: There are several updates to this story: Cooper's Playhouse Fight Goes National.
Source: Lex18.com, KY
Mississippi (MS) News
Pontotoc Takes Steps to Get ADA Compliant
Pontotoc, Mississippi, building inspector Terry Williamson said steps are being taken to ensure the city is complaint with the ADA.
Source: Daily Journal.com, MS
Class to Show How Disability Can Become Ability
A member of Starkville's Commission on Disability said the city's efforts to create more accessibility for residents have grown each year since the commission began advising city leaders.
Source: The Commercial Dispatch, MS
North Carolina (NC) News
Mount Airy Police Stress Rights of Service Dogs in Businesses
Source: Mount Airy News, NC
Butterball Sued by EEOC for Harassment, Firing of HIV-Positive Employee
The EEOC charged in a lawsuit that Butterball, LLC, a Garner, North Carolina-based turkey processing company, violated federal law by subjecting an employee to a hostile work environment based on the fact that she has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and firing her because of that disability.
ADA Lawsuit Spree by Florida Residents Makes Mark in North Carolina
Two Florida residents are suing dozens of restaurants, department stores and shopping centers across eastern North Carolina, alleging they were endangered by violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Source: Triangle Business Journal, NC
Suit Seeks to Stop Cuts in Home Care
Advocates in North Carolina for people with disabilities have filed a federal class-action lawsuit seeking to block the state from cutting in-home care services to 4,000 low-income individuals who need extensive assistance to remain at home and out of an institution. Lawsuit | Press release: Class Action Challenges Cuts to Personal Care Services Provided to 4,000 Individuals with Disabilities
Sources: News Observer, Disability Rights North Carolina, NC
South Carolina (SC) News
Local Restaurant Owner Refuses Entry for Service Dog
The owner of Seafood World in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested after he refused to let a service animal into his establishment.
Source: The Digitel, SC
Tennessee (TN) News
Disability Cuts Will Shatter Lives
An editorial by Donna DeStefano, Assistant Executive Director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, which is the State Network Affiliate for the Southeast ADA Center.
Source: The Tennessean, TN
Patients Who Rely on In-Home Care May Soon Lose State Funding in Tennessee
Source: Commercial Appeal, TN
Lenoir City Man Alleges False Arrest in Lawsuit against Loudon Sheriff
A Tennessee man who has cerebral palsy was arrested for drunk driving by a Loudon County Sheriff deputy in May 2010 after visiting the cemetery.
