Rocky Mountain ADA Center supports south Lincoln Co.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a groundbreaking law enacted in 1990, holds the key to creating an inclusive society where individuals with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of public life. 

Among its core objectives, the ADA aims to dismantle barriers that hinder equal access and opportunities. At its core, the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public accommodations and commercial facilities. 

Over the years, as technology advanced, it became evident that the ADA's scope must extend to the digital realm to ensure equal access for everyone.

In the heart of the United States' Rocky Mountain region, the Rocky Mountain ADA Center, funded by the Dept. of Health and Human Services, plays a vital role in promoting ADA understanding and compliance. 

As one of the 10 regional centers in the ADA National Network, the center serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

The center has happily supported neighbors living in Libby, Montana since 1991. The center’s mission is to educate and assist individuals, businesses, government entities and educational institutions across Libby, south Lincoln County and the entire state of Montana in understanding their rights and/or responsibilities under the ADA. 

The Rocky Mountain ADA Center is not an advocacy group nor is it an enforcement agency, we are simply a resource for free technical assistance, training and information dissemination on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Our team is easily accessed through our 1800 number: 1-800-949-4232 or website https://rockymountainada.org/ or various social media outlets from Facebook, to TikTok to LinkedIn and others.

We will provide anyone who contacts us with personalized guidance on the law that was signed by President Bush in 1990. By understanding ADA regulations and implementing best practices, businesses and institutions across Montana can create an environment where everyone can interact without encountering barriers.

In today's digital age, these barriers also extend into the virtual world, necessitating a focus on digital inclusion. The ADA and organizations like the Rocky Mountain ADA Center champion the cause of digital inclusion, making the virtual world accessible to all individuals, regardless of their disabilities. Embracing digital inclusion is not just a legal obligation but a moral duty that aligns with the ADA's core principles of inclusivity and equity. 

By working together to break down digital barriers, we can create a future where every individual can participate, contribute, and thrive in both the physical and digital realms. 

Let us embrace the spirit of the ADA and advance toward a society that fosters digital inclusion, celebrating the diversity of all its members.

Digital inclusion encompasses the practices and principles that ensure people with disabilities can fully engage with digital content and services. This means designing websites and applications with accessibility in mind, making them compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition software, and more. 

By embracing digital inclusion, we break down the barriers that have prevented people with disabilities from participating fully in the digital revolution.

I would like to personally invite everyone in the region that is interested in learning more about the ADA, digital inclusion or information around often-asked questions such as service animals, ADA training and reasonable accommodations to contact the center directly. 

We are here to help and have a full team of experts to assist you manage all paths toward accessibility.

Emily Shuman, Director of the Rocky Mountain ADA Center