June 8-10, 2009
Hyatt Regency Crown Center
Kansas City, Missouri

Why You Should Attend the National ADA Symposium.

You will not find a more comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act at a comparable cost.

The ADA Symposium will address the impact of the ADA Amendments Act on implementation of the ADA.

State and local governments conducting projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are required to make sure they comply with the ADA, making it critical that government officials understand their obligations under the ADA!

The National ADA Symposium sessions are presented by nationally recognized experts on the ADA including representatives from the US Dept. of Justice, the EEOC, and the US Access Board.


New features of the 2009 Symposium:

• Plated luncheon with Keynote Speaker.
  
  
• Professional Development Programs for ADA Coordinators and people in the design industry.
  
  
• Round table sessions allowing participants to meet with Symposium presenters.
  
  
• Evening banquet with entertainment provided by jazz quartet, Platinum Express. More info...

Keynote Speaker, Senator Tom Harkin

The National ADA Symposium has invited United States Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa to be the Keynote Speaker for the 2009 Symposium. Senator Harkin sponsored both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendements Act. He is tireless and instrumental advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. The keynote speech will be given during the opening luncheon.

Break-Out Sessions

The break-out sessions are the foundation of the Symposium and the reason for its reputation as the most comprehensive conference available on the ADA and related disability laws. Offering a schedule of fifty-six sessions, a variety of groups effected by and involved with the ADA will find training that is current and relevant to their needs and interests.

The break-out sessions are presented by nationally recognized experts on the ADA including representatives from key federal agencies involved in implementing the ADA including the U.S. Dept. of Justice, the U.S. Access Board and the EEOC.

The National ADA Symposium is designed for:

ADA Coordinators, State and Local Government Officials
The specific needs of ADA Coordinators and others responsible for developing and implementing the ADA in their communities and agencies will be addressed in detail in the ADA Coordinators' track. A variety of general sessions will be geared toward state and local government officials offering training from the U.S. Department of Justice on the rights and responsbilities of Title II entities and the latest activities of programs such as Project Civic Access.

Design Professionals and Building Industry
The anticipated May 2009 publication of the 2009 Internation Building Code offers an unprecendented level of harmonization with the newly developed Federal accessibility regulations, including the 2004 ADAAG/ABAAG. Participants attending the Accessible Design track will gain a first-hand understanding of the Federal regulations and their implementation.

Employers and Human Resource Professionals
An Employment track will be offered that is specificaly designed for Human Resource Profesionals and Employers. Representatives from the EEOC provide insight into current EEOC interpretations and future activities. This year, EEOC guidance on the ADA Amendments Act definition of the person with a disability and its impact on employment will be of key interest to employers.

People with Disabilities and their Families, Service Providers and Advocates
A number of Symposium sessions focus on topics key to the disability community: advocacy, transportation, community integration; and legal rights under the ADA. The Symposium also offers the unique opportunity for service providers, design professionals, employers and people with disabilities to network, provide input, and work toward common solutions.