Module 1: ADA and Title II Training

Module 1: ADA, Title II and the Illinois Accessibility Code

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The intent of the ADA is to provide government services that are both accessible and usable by people with disabilities. A lot has happened in the past 33 years, and we invite you to learn or refresh your understanding of the history of disability rights and gain new insights on how to increase accessibility in your community. To that end, there are five administrative requirements addressed in the regulations that will be covered. They include:

  • Designation of a responsible employee for managing ADA Compliance
  • Development of a grievance procedure for citizens to use when addressing barriers to programs, services, and activities
  • Publication of a “Notice to the Public” of ADA Compliance
  • Conduct a self-evaluation of barriers to programs, services, and activities for persons with disabilities
  • Develop a transition plan to remove architectural barriers

This session is intended to provide an overview and understanding of the administrative requirements of the ADA and the Illinois Accessibility Code, and provide a forum for learning what each of these requirements entail. The goal of the program is to provide a “big picture” view of the requirements including potential liabilities of not meeting these obligations.  

This session will focus on the various administrative requirements and provide discussion and examples of areas covered under the ADA, including policies that impact the day-to-day interactions and activities that persons with disabilities have with their local government. Examples of policies and procedures that will be addressed include, but are not limited to, service animals and emotional support animals, snow removal, communication (written and oral), website design, apps and electronic communication, procurement methods and the use of other power-driven mobility devices. Sample grievance procedures and notice to the public will be shared, as well as suggested language to be used on documents, announcements, etc. regarding your communities ADA compliance and requesting accommodations to participate.

The intent of the session is to have a dialog and come away with information that you can take back to your community and use to implement and/or improve your existing efforts to make your community more accessible for all. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions in advance and throughout the program. There will be time dedicated to discussing specific issues within your community as well as share any best practices that you may already be using. 

The intended audience for this session includes but not limited to: elected officials, city administrators, program directors or managers, city clerks, communication/media managers, administrative staff from library, parks and recreation and other divisions of local government.  CMAP will be offering training modules specifically designed for ADA coordinators and public works officials in October and November.

Meet the Trainers

Travis Helmkamp, PE, ADAC 
Oates Associates 

Travis brings an expertise with pedestrian accommodations and ADA compliance. As an ADA Coordinator (ADAC), Travis has in-depth knowledge of ADA regulations and guidelines. He assists clients with Title II compliance and implements accessibility design standards with the firm’s projects. Travis has served as project manager or lead engineer for the development of ADA Transition Plans for 14 communities in Illinois and Missouri. He is a technical resource for his clients and staff - and he continues to grow his ADA knowledge by both presenting at and attending ADA focused symposiums. As the project manager for this project, Travis will be responsible for billings, budget, schedule and training/program oversight. He will be the single point of contact throughout the project. Through his ADA planning experience, Travis has trained and presented to municipal staff. 

Robin Jones 
Great Lakes ADA Center 

Robin is the Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center located within the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked in the field of disability policy for the past 40 years with prior experience working to deliver services directly to individuals with disabilities through the establishment and leadership within an Independent Living Center. Robin possesses leadership qualities that have enabled her to successfully design and carry out a program of training and technical assistance that promotes voluntary compliance with applicable civil rights laws. She has spearheaded numerous projects at the local/state and national level in collaboration with other organizations with the goal of enhancing the quality of information available to assist individuals who are both protected under the ADA but also have responsibilities under the law. Robin holds positions of leadership on task forces addressing the barriers and supports needed to enhance the employment outcomes of persons with disabilities, including revision of policies and procedures at the state and local level. Robin's accomplishments are expansive, from the honors she has received to her involvement with societies and advisory boards to her ongoing research to help increase knowledge of the ADA. 

Felicia Burton 
Illinois Capital Development Board

Felicia Burton is the Accessibility Specialist with the State of Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB). She serves as the subject matter specialist for accessibility at CDB and is the sole interpreter of the Illinois Accessibility Code for the state of Illinois as mandated by the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act. She has more than 30 years of experience in architecture and construction project management, in both public and private sectors. She holds architectural and construction management degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Resources from previous training

Captioned recording of January 2023 session below:

Illinois Accessibility Code Training Slide Deck (September 2023)

ADA and Title II Training Slide Deck (September 2023)

ADA and Title II Training Handouts (January 2023)

 

  Module 2: ADA Coordinator >>

 

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Module 1: ADA, Title II and the Illinois Accessibility Code

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The intent of the ADA is to provide government services that are both accessible and usable by people with disabilities. A lot has happened in the past 33 years, and we invite you to learn or refresh your understanding of the history of disability rights and gain new insights on how to increase accessibility in your community. To that end, there are five administrative requirements addressed in the regulations that will be covered. They include:

  • Designation of a responsible employee for managing ADA Compliance
  • Development of a grievance procedure for citizens to use when addressing barriers to programs, services, and activities
  • Publication of a “Notice to the Public” of ADA Compliance
  • Conduct a self-evaluation of barriers to programs, services, and activities for persons with disabilities
  • Develop a transition plan to remove architectural barriers

This session is intended to provide an overview and understanding of the administrative requirements of the ADA and the Illinois Accessibility Code, and provide a forum for learning what each of these requirements entail. The goal of the program is to provide a “big picture” view of the requirements including potential liabilities of not meeting these obligations.  

This session will focus on the various administrative requirements and provide discussion and examples of areas covered under the ADA, including policies that impact the day-to-day interactions and activities that persons with disabilities have with their local government. Examples of policies and procedures that will be addressed include, but are not limited to, service animals and emotional support animals, snow removal, communication (written and oral), website design, apps and electronic communication, procurement methods and the use of other power-driven mobility devices. Sample grievance procedures and notice to the public will be shared, as well as suggested language to be used on documents, announcements, etc. regarding your communities ADA compliance and requesting accommodations to participate.

The intent of the session is to have a dialog and come away with information that you can take back to your community and use to implement and/or improve your existing efforts to make your community more accessible for all. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions in advance and throughout the program. There will be time dedicated to discussing specific issues within your community as well as share any best practices that you may already be using. 

The intended audience for this session includes but not limited to: elected officials, city administrators, program directors or managers, city clerks, communication/media managers, administrative staff from library, parks and recreation and other divisions of local government.  CMAP will be offering training modules specifically designed for ADA coordinators and public works officials in October and November.

Meet the Trainers

Travis Helmkamp, PE, ADAC 
Oates Associates 

Travis brings an expertise with pedestrian accommodations and ADA compliance. As an ADA Coordinator (ADAC), Travis has in-depth knowledge of ADA regulations and guidelines. He assists clients with Title II compliance and implements accessibility design standards with the firm’s projects. Travis has served as project manager or lead engineer for the development of ADA Transition Plans for 14 communities in Illinois and Missouri. He is a technical resource for his clients and staff - and he continues to grow his ADA knowledge by both presenting at and attending ADA focused symposiums. As the project manager for this project, Travis will be responsible for billings, budget, schedule and training/program oversight. He will be the single point of contact throughout the project. Through his ADA planning experience, Travis has trained and presented to municipal staff. 

Robin Jones 
Great Lakes ADA Center 

Robin is the Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center located within the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked in the field of disability policy for the past 40 years with prior experience working to deliver services directly to individuals with disabilities through the establishment and leadership within an Independent Living Center. Robin possesses leadership qualities that have enabled her to successfully design and carry out a program of training and technical assistance that promotes voluntary compliance with applicable civil rights laws. She has spearheaded numerous projects at the local/state and national level in collaboration with other organizations with the goal of enhancing the quality of information available to assist individuals who are both protected under the ADA but also have responsibilities under the law. Robin holds positions of leadership on task forces addressing the barriers and supports needed to enhance the employment outcomes of persons with disabilities, including revision of policies and procedures at the state and local level. Robin's accomplishments are expansive, from the honors she has received to her involvement with societies and advisory boards to her ongoing research to help increase knowledge of the ADA. 

Felicia Burton 
Illinois Capital Development Board

Felicia Burton is the Accessibility Specialist with the State of Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB). She serves as the subject matter specialist for accessibility at CDB and is the sole interpreter of the Illinois Accessibility Code for the state of Illinois as mandated by the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act. She has more than 30 years of experience in architecture and construction project management, in both public and private sectors. She holds architectural and construction management degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Resources from previous training

Captioned recording of January 2023 session below:

Illinois Accessibility Code Training Slide Deck (September 2023)

ADA and Title II Training Slide Deck (September 2023)

ADA and Title II Training Handouts (January 2023)

 

  Module 2: ADA Coordinator >>

 

To Top