YAI is hosting their 9th Latino Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.  This is a free, one-day conference entirely in Spanish with presenters who have an understanding of the needs of families who have children with disabilities.  For information call  (212) 273-6412 or go to www.yai.org/latino.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has taken two important enforcement actions to ensure deaf and hard of hearing individuals living in New York and Washington, D.C. have equal access to programs and services provided by local government agencies.

These agreements follow complaints that individuals were denied access to sign language interpreters in Cattaraugus County Department of Aging (CCDOA) in New York and the District of Columbia Children and Family Services Agency (DCCFSA).  OCR conducted investigations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which require that covered entities ensure effective communication for persons with disabilities.

The resolution agreements can be found at www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/activities/agreements.

Learn more about non-discrimination and stay informed at www.hhs.gov/ocr.

In January, the Department's Office for Civil Rights issued guidance clarifying school districts' existing legal obligations to provide equal access to extracurricular athletic activities to students with disabilities. Learn more.