Region 9 - Pacific ADA Center

This region covers almost 1 million square miles of land mass and has a population of nearly 51 million. In light of the large geographic area—as well as the ethnic, cultural and language diversity—the Pacific ADA Center’s staff and large network of affiliates play a significant role in reaching the region’s stakeholders.

Customized ADA Training

In 2021, the Pacific ADA Center provided over 380 in-depth ADA training sessions to over 56,000 individuals, businesses, and government agencies.  Training topics included   reasonable accommodation in employment, disability awareness and etiquette, service animals, effective communication, and the 2010 ADA Accessibility Standards. Organizations that received customized training included American Institute of Architects Chapters, California Association for Post-Secondary Education and Disability (CAPED), San Diego Law Library, Hawaii Department of Public Safety, Pima County (Arizona) Sheriff's Office, Tohono O'odham Indian Tribe in Arizona, City of Oakland (California), City Clerks Association of California, Carson City (Nevada) Chamber of Commerce, and Honolulu International Airport.

Accessible Health Care

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes equal opportunity as a standard for public and private health care providers to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The disabled population is diverse with unique health care needs. Studies have shown that people with disabilities are more likely to report their health as fair or poor compared to those who are not disabled.  The National Council on Disability (NCD, 2009) identified multiple barriers that serve to decrease access to health services for the disabled. Couple these needs with the fact that as the US population continues to age, the numbers and percentage of people with disabilities will also increase.

The Pacific ADA Center is leading the ADA National Network efforts to disseminate information about health care and the ADA. The Center has developed sheets and trainings on Accessible Drive Thru Medical Facilities as well as Facility Accessibility, Effective Communication, and Reasonable Modification of Policy, Practices, and Procedures. In addition, the Center designed and hosts the Health Care and the ADA-Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities webinar series on behalf of the ADA National Network. Webinars offered in 2021 include:

• Achieving Equity in a Time of Scarcity: Lessons from the COVID-19 Vaccine Experience
• Service Animals: At Home, At Work, and Everywhere Else
• Vaccine Access for People with Disabilities: Guidance, Funding, Strategies, and Best Practices
• How Crisis Standards of Care Can Ensure Equity for People with Disabilities During Times of Crisis
• Health Care Disparities for People with Disabilities and Potential Role of Physician Bias
• Accessible Medical Care and Long-Term Care Facilities

Certified Access Specialist Training

The Certified Access Specialist (CASp) program, created by California law, is designed to meet the public's need for experienced, trained, and tested individuals who can inspect buildings and sites for compliance with applicable state and federal construction-related accessibility standards.  Each CASp inspector must pass a statewide examination before becoming certified. From 2016 on, the Pacific ADA Center has provided a 4-day training program designed to prepare building officials, architects and disability advocates to take the California CASp examination.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies and disasters can be especially difficult for people with disabilities.  Emergency plans need to include guidelines that meet the specific needs of individuals  with disabilities to ensure their safety and well-being in all kinds of emergencies.

The Pacific ADA Center is leading the efforts to disseminate information about emergency preparedness and management on behalf of the ADA National Network.  A major part of this has been designing and hosting the Emergency Management and Preparedness-Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities webinar series on behalf of the ADA National Network. Webinars offered in 2021 include:

• Achieving Whole Community Inclusion in Emergency Management
• Disability Inclusion and Considerations in Vaccination Centers and Operations
• Prepared4ALL: Whole Community Emergency Planning)
• A Closer Look: COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities Project
• Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody” Colorado’s Development of a Statewide Access & Functional Needs Program