Latest news with #AmericanDisabilitiesAct
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No more excuses': Newsom calls for cities to adopt plan banning homeless encampments
Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging cities and counties in California to adopt a model ordinance he released on Monday that makes encampments unlawful as part of efforts to address 'decades of inaction on homelessness.' The announcement comes as $3.3 billion in funding will be made available Monday for communities to address homelessness, according to a news release. The model ordinance, which is described as a 'starting point' and something local officials can adjust in creating their own policies, builds on Newsom's executive order last year that called for state agencies and departments to address encampments on state property. Newsom is now calling on 'every local government to adopt and implement local policies without delay.' 'There's nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,' Newsom said in a statement. 'Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. 'Now, we're giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.' Newsom's model ordinance laid out what is unlawful when it pertains to encampments, such as constructing or maintaining any semi-permanent structure on public property that's used for shelter. Also unlawful is for people to camp on public property for more than three consecutive days or nights in the same location as well as to camp within 200 feet of any posted notice to vacate or other official signage related to clearing out an encampment or prohibiting camping in that location. People also cannot sit, sleep, lay or camp on any public street, road, bike path or sidewalk that prevents passage 'within the meaning of the American Disabilities Act.' Acknowledging that specific policies may vary for communities, all local approaches should reflect three principles that the model ordinance embodies, the ordinance read. Those principles are that people should not face criminal punishment for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go; encampment policies 'must prioritize shelter and services' while ensuring people, and their belongings, are treated with respect; and that policies must not 'unduly limit' local authority to clear encampments. 'Officials must be able to enforce common-sense policies to protect the health and safety of their residents and maintain their public spaces,' the ordinance read. 'When officials lack appropriate tools, encampments persist, endangering the health and safety of those living in and alongside them.' The model ordinance also provided an approach for what communities must do before enforcement, including posting a notice to vacate at least 48 hours prior to enforcement. Another stipulation is that city officials should make 'every reasonable effort' to provide the people living at the encampment with emergency shelter or other appropriate housing and supportive services. The model ordinance also describes what to do in more emergency circumstances and how to handle personal belongings at an encampment site. It's estimated that 187,084 people in California experienced homelessness last year, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, citing data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Newsom urges cities to adopt ordinance banning homeless encampments
The Age
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
As companies return to the office, these workers are being left behind
For years, Ashley Palardy didn't understand why she was completely drained after a day at the office. Her exhaustion and anxiety would get so bad that sometimes she'd lock herself in the bathroom for an hour or sequester herself in a private space during lunch to decompress and then go straight to bed after work. But a year ago, she got her answer through a diagnosis: She has autism. Palardy, who also has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a contractor for two companies and has worked remotely in Houston and Austin for about three years. But as she looks for a full-time position, the 26-year-old worries about flexibility. 'It really does scare me,' she said, adding that she's hesitant to ask for accommodation that would be covered by the American Disabilities Act out of fear of discrimination. 'I want to do well … but I know how much time and energy it takes to show up.' Anxiety is rising for some of the millions of people who identify as neurodivergent – those whose brains function differently such as those with ADHD, autism or dyslexia. More companies are requiring workers to return to an office five days a week. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has criticised diversity, equity and inclusion programs, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – secretary for health and human services – suggested people with autism won't hold jobs. While many neurodivergent people excel in an office, others struggle with sensory issues, inability to focus and exhaustion, workers say. Advocates say it's particularly difficult for neurodivergent people to get flexible work due to the new movement to cut programs that sometimes helps them. 'The job market right now is really competitive,' said Kristyn Roth, chief marketing officer of the Autism Society of America. 'If accommodations [like flexibility] are being cut and DEI services continue to be deprioritised, job opportunities become even more narrow for autistic or neurodiverse workers.' About a fifth of US adults self-identify as neurodivergent with a majority saying they always or usually feel that their brain works differently, according to a recent survey by research and analytics firm YouGov. They cite issues such as starting tasks before finishing others, being overwhelmed by social situations and struggling to focus. Companies like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, AT&T and Goldman Sachs have mandated workers to the office full-time, citing innovation, collaboration and culture, among others, for the change and threatening to fire those who don't comply.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marshall Mitchell: Mitchell Main Street's Fourth, Second avenues closed for streetscape improvements
Mar. 31—MITCHELL — Mitchell Main Street is open for business, even with the flood of orange cones, detour arrows and road closed signs. Road closures started the morning of Monday, March 31 for the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Main Street to begin streetscape improvements. The Main Street detour route is North Rowley Street. Improvements include bump outs on Fourth and Second Avenues, all new asphalt, sewer and water main replacement, electrical updates, American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps, and replacement of curb and gutter, and increased storm water capacity. The Main Street intersections at Fourth and Second avenues are the last of a series of Main Street streetscape improvements within the BID No. 3 Tax District, a beautification tax fund for businesses and infrastructure along Main Street. A public meeting was held on March 27 at City Hall to present the improvement plans for the intersections of Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue at Main Street. City, engineering, and construction representatives were on hand to field questions. Eleven local business owners or representatives were present. Proprietors on Main Street had mixed feelings about the streetscape improvements. Dan Hauser, who owns Second Impressions antique mall on Main Street, said that people are used to the construction, and that locals understand. "Anytime you stop traffic, be it foot traffic or vehicle traffic, it hurts. If they can't drive by or park close to the front, some people don't bother — it doesn't matter if it's Corn Palace week or a parade," Hauser said. Hauser said the street projects would affect Einstein's Vintage Clothing, Costume, and Formal Wear Sales, which is owned by his wife, more than it would affect the antique mall. "I think they make the street look nicer. We have to keep our utilities functioning," Hauser said. "It's an undesirable necessity." Proprietors and apartment residents in the area can expect water shutoffs with notifications from the city, and some electrical work may affect the street lights on Main Street for a short time. Water shutoffs will be staggered by zones for each intersection. "We're hoping, even if we do run into problems, that it won't be near as complicated as last time. If somebody's water is off, and you don't think it's supposed to be off, call us right away," Public Works Director Joe Schroeder said. Main Street proprietor Michelle Buchholz, a cosmetologist, owns Studio 24 at 310 N. Main St. and is apprehensive about water being shut off. "So all day without water, that means no business. So I'm hoping that it's a good on and off. Yeah, it's gonna affect me. I have no water, I have no money," Buchholz told the Mitchell Republic. Perhaps one of the Main Street businesses to be least impacted is Janet Fritzemeier of Crane Realty at 200 N. Main St. "I come and go for showings and closings and go to people's houses, so I don't think it'll affect me. I'm not a retail business," Fritzemeier said. As part of the sewer line replacement on Main Street, pumps to bypass the sanitary sewer line are planned at Fifth Avenue and Main Street. From July 18 to Aug. 1, Main Street intersections must be open for events, according to officials. The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo parade will take place on Friday, July 18, and the pre-Sturgis party begins on Main Street on Thursday, July 31. Road closures for the intersection of Second Avenue and Main Street will start on Aug. 4, after the pre-Sturgis party has ended. The construction timeline for Fourth Avenue has a "substantially complete date" of July 18. The construction timeline for Second Avenue has a completion date of Oct. 10. "What that means is the project is done to its intended use. So landscaping might not be done, but hopefully the road and curb and everything like that would be done," said Eli VanRoekel, the project inspector for the streetscape improvements from McLaury Engineering. Sidewalks in front of businesses at the intersections will be open during most of the construction phase. Mitchell Public Works has received complaints about pedestrians and wheelchairs crossing the street at crosswalks and not being seen because of cars parked near the crosswalk, according to Terry Johnson, who is Mitchell's engineering project supervisor. "How the federal government is and their focus on ADA requirements that we have to follow, wheelchair accessibility and safety with pedestrians, it's just becoming a bigger and bigger thing. So this type of project creates a safer place for pedestrians to cross," Johnson said. Additionally, the intersections of First and Seventh Avenues at Main Street will receive ADA-compliant upgrades, with construction from May through July. New traffic light replacements are to be completed by the fall. Mitchell Main Street and Beyond's Executive Director Elizabeth Luczak plans to bring an art walk to downtown and reveal more art installations this year. After the streetscape constructions are finished, a block party is planned to celebrate Main Street businesses. "We're actually already seeing an uptake in foot traffic," Luczak said.
CBC
27-03-2025
- General
- CBC
'Recess is a right': Regina city council votes unanimously to update playground accessibility
Regina city council voted Wednesday to significantly update its playground accessibility requirements, paving the way for more playgrounds equipped for people with disabilities. In a unanimous vote, council directed city administration to update its definitions of "accessible" and "inclusive" playgrounds to make them more specific, and add several requirements for playgrounds to qualify for those new definitions. According to the motion, an accessible playground is one that is "easy for a person who uses a device to manoeuvre to and around." An inclusive playground must also meet the needs of a variety of other disabilities like visual impairments, cognitive disabilities and sensory sensitivities. All future playgrounds built in the city will be required to meet these new standards. "It started when I realized: recess. When I thought about recess," said Coun. Sarah Turnbull, who introduced the motion and whose daughter Blake is paraplegic. "When I thought about how recess is a right for everyone, and having to be sidelined at recess, and not just my daughter being sidelined at recess, but everyone around them being taught, 'that's how you treat people with disabilities.'" Regina has more than 150 playgrounds, but the city's website lists only seven as "accessible" or "fully accessible." According to Turnbull, adding these definitions and standards will align with the standards of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), which will actually make it easier to make future accessible playgrounds accessible, because major playgrounds suppliers base their categories of playgrounds around ADA standards. Half of all play elements on new playgrounds must now be accessible for people with mobility devices, and at most 15 per cent of those accessible elements can require a person to get off their device to use. Wood chips, which children in wheelchairs have difficulty navigating, will no longer be used. Play routes on playgrounds will be wider and made easier to use for people with mobility devices, and elevated levels are no longer a requirement. According to Turnbull, the long term savings of using rubber surfaces instead of wood chips outweighs the higher installation cost. In total, the other standard changes would lead to overall cost savings. A large delegation of parents and advocates presented to council in favour of the motion. Vanessa Rodriguez-McVety, vice chair of the Regina accessibility committee, praised the changes. "Meeting people where they're at is extremely important," she said. "Supporting children with disabilities can be extremely isolating, and not being able to bring your children to play with other children is extremely heartbreaking." Andrew Schmidt from the First Steps Wellness Centre, a non-profit that helps people with disabilities, said the new playgrounds will also help non-disabled children. "Accessible playgrounds promote early stage exposure for all children to see what disabilities are like," he said, citing disability challenges within his own family. The motion also directed city administration to study the creation of an accessible indoor playground within the recreational master plan to present for the next municipal budget. City council will also discuss a $1-million refurbishment fund for upgrading current playgrounds when it meets to discuss the next municipal budget.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Marshall Mitchell: Mitchell's Zion Lutheran Church dedicates ministry center at corner of Burr and Fourth
Mar. 17—MITCHELL — The ministry center that was years in the making became reality on Sunday, March 16 as congregants of Zion Lutheran Church made a procession out the front door of the church to dedicate the new building, a nod to the 1953 procession from the old church on First Avenue to the church on Third Avenue. The nearly $2.3 million ministry center is 10,000 square feet with a spacious fellowship hall, conference rooms, kitchen area, offices for church staff, and a dual-purpose chapel/library. The entire building is on one level of elevation and is American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, so that there are no steps to walk up or down, and no need for an elevator. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain," Rev. Scott Sailer, district president of the synod, quoted Psalm 127 to the congregation assembled inside of the ministry center. Mitchell's Zion Lutheran Church at 620 E. Third Ave. held a dedication service for the newly built ministry center at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Burr Street. The church's bell rung at the start of the service. "The building may stand for decades, but what is done there will echo into eternity. The conversations had there, the prayers lifted up, the forgiveness shared, the love shown in Christ's name — these are the true building blocks of God's kingdom," Rev. Thomas Brown said. Adam Schulz, chair of the building committee, shared about a recent event held in March at the ministry center, and how it brought congregations from Pierre, Sioux Falls, Delmont, Dimock and Parkston in community together. "We've had numerous people stop and say, 'What's it going to be used for? Could we rent it? Can we use it?' The answer is yes," Schulz told the Mitchell Republic. Plans for the ministry center include a meeting place for Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) district and state meetings, pastor conferences, and hosting graduation parties and community-wide events. Zion Lutheran Church pastor Daniel Grimmer indicated the church would be open to congregations of other denominations using the ministry center, but that the church's leadership board still has to put together rental policies, set fees, and make an application for renting out the ministry center for community events. The church will continue to meet and hold weekly worship services in the 1953 brick church building on the corner of North Capital Street and East Third Avenue, and the basement of the building will be used for the church's youth. The pastor's office will be moved over to the ministry center so that congregation members will no longer have to go up and down steps or enter by way of the church's singular ADA-compliant side entrance. "It's just fun to see this come to fruition, and see the congregation here enjoying this project they've been dreaming about for a long time," said Brown, who served at Zion for 11 years before transferring to pastor a church in Spearfish. Brown is on the board of directors for the South Dakota district of the LCMS. In May, Texas-based Lutheran pastor Brian Wolfmueller will present "Has American Christianity Failed?" at the ministry center. "A kind of controversial topic, but something to think about and invite people in the community to come and listen and learn, and I'm excited to have a space where we can do those kinds of things," Grimmer told the Mitchell Republic. The Zion Lutheran Church congregation dates back to 1892. Their first building was purchased and moved to First Avenue in 1910, when a windstorm blew it over the first night. In 1953, they moved into the current building and added an educational wing in 1962. In 1990, they added on again. "The vision kind of came together about four years ago to not try to attach it to this building, and build it over there. The idea is for it to be an asset, not just to us as a congregation, but to the community," said Eric Schramm, who teaches architectural design and building construction at Mitchell Technical College, and was vice chair of the building committee. A building committee was formed in 2016 after the corner lots were purchased for construction. The church broke ground on the ministry center in fall 2023, and started building in May 2024. Zion owns all but two lots of the city block where the ministry center and church is located. Future plans for lots on the block may include expansion of the ministry center, more parking, or other options, according to Grimmer, who has been at Zion for the last 10 years. Shirley Baumgartel, second-generation building committee member, told the Mitchell Republic of being a child in the 1940s and the discussion about building the 1953 Zion church building and hearing the "arguing committee" slam doors. "Then they had to purchase property after they finally got a majority to go along with the idea," Baumgartel said. "And we would go downstairs as kids after church and listen to them argue while we were in Sunday school." However, when it came time to put the bell in the bell tower, the congregation members came together and used a ladder and hoist system to get the bell up. They all worked together to get it done, according to Baumgartel, 84. In those days, there were multiple church services, and if you didn't get there early, you sat on the steps. There was an unexpected enthusiasm around the ministry center planning, according to Baumgartel. "I can finally rest, and pass it to the next generation," Baumgartel said. The church surprised Schulz and Schramm with recognition for their leadership in planning the new building in front of the congregation assembled inside the ministry center. The standing ovation brought Schramm to tears. Ministry Center building committee members included Loren Brech, John Fink, Chris Foster, David Harnisch, Judy Havrevold, Tom Patzer, Sharon Rehorst, Dough Schley, Travis Schnabel, Marvin Strand, and Schulz, Schramm and Baumgartel. "This project has been in the hearts and minds of many for decades," Brown said. "There were struggles, setbacks, failed plans, failed fundraisers, frustrations, and hours of meetings. And many who prayed for this day — who gave, who dreamed of it, who sat in meetings for it — are not here to see it. But their prayers, their faith, and their hope are built into those walls. Their generosity didn't die with them; it continues in the work done here." Construction and development for the ministry center was completed by multiple Mitchell and regional businesses. "It will be a place where friendships are formed, burdens are carried together, and Christ is at the center of it all," Brown said. "This building does not exist for its own sake. May God bless this place as a home for His people, for His Word, and for His mission, until Christ returns in glory."
