Arthritis Network to discuss changes to Americans with Disabilities Act
Library: News Release
Phone: (405) 522-4510, Fax: (405) 521-2086
e-mail: Claire.Dowers@okdhs.org
Beth Scott – OKDHS Office of Communications
Phone: (405) 521-3027, Fax: (405) 522-3146
e-mail: Beth.Scott@okdhs.org
OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Local labor and employment attorney Bill Wills will bring to life what the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Act amendments mean to Oklahomans.
His presentation, “A New Attitude: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008” will be Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10 St. at the January meeting of the Oklahoma Arthritis Network. The meeting is open to the public.
“Getting a handle on the new ADA amendments will be somewhat of an arduous process, but must be swift,” Wells said. “While getting familiar with certain changes to some long-held concepts and practices will be time-consuming, the expected increase in the number of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charges and lawsuits that will be filed necessitates a quick learning curve.”
The recent passage of The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 created the first round of significant changes made to the ADA in its 18-year history.
Many of the changes were prompted by Congress’s dissatisfaction with a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions that tended to narrow the scope of the ADA. Experts predict we will see a significant increase in ADA litigation as a result of the changes, which took effect Jan. 1, 2009.
In his presentation, “A New Attitude: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008,” guest speaker Bill Wells will discuss the implications of the act as well as recent amendments to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations that affect ADA.
Wells received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s in business administration in finance. He served 4 years as president of the Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association and is an active member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.
Other programs planned for 2009 include speaker Bill Whited, Ombudsman for Aging Services at Oklahoma Department of Human Services, according to Oklahoma Arthritis Network (OAN) Chair Andrali Jewett who is an Administrative Officer at OKDHS.
To learn more information about the OAN and upcoming events, call the OSDH Community Development Service, Office of Health Equity & Resource Opportunities at (405) 271-9444, ext. 56410, or e-mail marisan@heatlh.ok.gov.
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