2018 Budget Eliminates Small-Business Incentives for Improving Access

Update: Some of the positive incentives for small businesses to remove barriers to accessibility are tax credits* and deductions. These were eliminated under the 2017 Tax Bill. A 'small business' is defined as one with fewer than 30 employees or annual revenues under $1M.

Beyond these incentives, business owners have always understood that reducing liability will save money, while removing barriers means more retail activity and more profits. In other words, Access Means Business. And it's simply the right thing to do.

Loss of these incentives has several impacts:

• additional burdens on small business with limited margins and capacity. 
• excludes approximately 12% of Idaho's population (along with their family members, friends and coworkers) from mostly rural Idaho business, 
• signals to potential customers visiting rural communities for business or pleasure that they and their dollars are not welcome. 
• removes 'carrots' or tax advantages, leaving only the 'stick' approach (fines) 
• leaves rural Idaho businesses exposed to the threat of $10,000 fines for violations. 

See more here.

According to reviews of the tax cuts, persons with disabilities (and their employers and families) have been impacted in several ways, as the bill eliminates the following incentives:

• The medical expense deduction: This tax deduction allowed people to deduct medical expenses that exceed 10% of their income. The number of people who used this deduction is small, but they are all people with high healthcare costs, which largely includes people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and other medical conditions. People are allowed to deduct expenses for a variety of expenses including treatments, surgeries, medications, and medical travel. 
• *The credit for expenditures to provide access to disabled individuals: This tax credit incentivized small businesses to make their businesses accessible for people with disabilities. Small businesses could claim a 50% credit per year for expenditures between $250 and $10,250 that increased access and compliance with the ADA. 
• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit: This tax credit provided an incentive for employers to hire individuals from specific target groups who face increased barriers to employment. Target groups included people with disabilities who receive services from Vocational Rehabilitation, SSI recipients, returning citizens, veterans, and long-term unemployment compensation recipients." 

Click here to view the entire analysis of the anticipated impacts of the tax bill.

Convertible powered ramps/walkways provide access in tight spaces

An interesting product idea that could be an answer in some situations. Here are the descriptions from a couple of YouTube videos posted by the manufacturer. See more at www.lift-u.com

"The Accessor Convertible Walkway (ACW) is designed to provide access where building conditions will not permit the use of a permanent ramp or lift. The initial design intent was to provide access to buildings in older areas of many cities that, heretofore, could not be made accessible. The initial product designs were for exterior applications. However, a number of interior applications have been identified and more are being discovered for this new accessibility solution.
For more information, visit www.lift-u.com or call 209-838-2400.
*General Features*
1. Surface mount—no pit required.
2. Thin stowed profile—less than 1-inch thick.
3. Platform parks in the horizontal position until needed.
4. Counterbalanced for power drive efficiency.
5. Operable undercarriage closeouts.
6. Standard slope is 1:12 unless the application dictates otherwise (i.e., space constraints).
7. 1:18 tapered threshold on 3-sides"

See the convertible ramp here.

"The Accessor Convertible Walkway (ACW) is designed to provide access where building conditions will not permit the use of a permanent ramp or lift. The initial design intent was to provide access to buildings in older areas of many cities that, heretofore, could not be made accessible. The initial product designs were for exterior applications. However, a number of interior applications have been identified and more are being discovered for this new accessibility solution."

See the convertible walkway here.

Reaching Out Persons with Disabilities - Ten Lessons

Some great information from the ADA for small business. Getting people in the door is just one aspect of expanding markets and providing goods and services to persons living with disability.

"Did you know?

• More than 50 million Americans with disabilities - 18% of our population - are potential customers for businesses of all types across the United States.
• This group has $175 billion in discretionary spending power, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That figure is more than twice the spending power of American teenagers and almost 18 times the spending power of the American "tweens" market.
• Accessibility attracts not only people with disabilities but also their families and friends. Like others, these customers often visit stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses accompanied by family or friends. This expands the potential market exponentially!
• This market is growing fast. By the year 2030, 71.5 million Baby Boomers will be over the age of 65 and demanding products, services, and environments that address their age-related physical changes."

http://www.ada.gov/reachingout/intro1.htm

Cycling infrastructure means new pathways for all

Check out this video of cycling infrastructure, or 'infra,' in the Netherlands. A leader in bike- and pedestrian-friendly communities, Dutch culture is equally friendly in terms of universal access. As Idaho's statewide Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) explores options to expand transportation choices, keep this video in mind. To learn more, call Erik at 208.331.4706.

Who else benefits from Dutch cycling infrastructure?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSGx3HSjKDo

(Photo: Chuck Humel)

Some ingenious ways to combine bike and wheelchair commuting with friends and family:

(Photo: tmannetje.nl)

See also: http://www.frankmobility.com/duetfeat.php

When Vancouver Leads, Access Follows

• Vancouver to make accessibility for seniors, disabled a priority in new house construction: City considers new standards for single-family, townhouse homes
• Vancouver’s ban on the humble doorknob likely to be a trendsetter

Ideas that are long overdue. A similar single-family residential ordinance was adopted officially in Pima County, AZ years ago and has withstood court challenges. Lever hardware is rapidly becoming the norm (no knobs in my house!), and we can expect hardware makers to get more creative and artful as lever use expands.

As I've often said, we are all seniors in training (if we're lucky), and aging-in-place is good for us, our families and for the public treasury. Habitat for Humanity has said it will build all homes to 'visitability standards' (at least one zero-step entry and accessible route to a sleeping area and main floor bathroom). Whether through age, illness or injury, we will all face mobility restrictions at point in our lives. And there's no place like home.

Idaho Loses Long-Time Advocate

Idaho lost a tremendous disability rights advocate and expert, and many of us lost a friend and mentor this weekend. Bobby Ball had a long history working to preserve and expand opportunities for persons living with disabilities through technical assistance and the legislative process. As the Director of the ADA Task Force, Bobby brought together partners from many background. Her wonderful smile and persuasive ability made it tough to say no, whether she was asking for volunteer time or resources to make Idaho more accessible and welcoming.

Thank you, Bobby, for all your hard work, dedication, great sense of humor, and the inspiration you have been to so many of us. We will miss you.

To learn more about Bobby, see this brief feature story when she was recognized as one of Idaho's 'Women Making History.'

http://womenscenter.boisestate.edu/women/women-making-history/2009-honorees/bobby-ball/

This brief 10-second clip was captured during the ADA celebration at the Idaho Statehouse in 2010

http://youtu.be/ukDiISj8qHo

Brochures, Information Sheets Available for Download!

Although it's been a while since the last post, things are moving forward. Here's a brief update on Ramp Up Idaho (RUI) activities:

• RUI partners presented at this year's American Planning Association Conference in Idaho Falls
• Cards and brochures printed and distributed via trade shows, NW ADA conference, Community Review visits and regional housing roundtable meetings
• Presentation to Boise Fair Housing Task Force.

We've been getting requests for promotional materials from communities and organizations around the state. Small quantities of brochures or business cards are available on request, or you are free to download and distribute information as need using the links below:

Data sheets/brochures

• For web/email Ramp-Up-Idaho-InfoSheet_lowres
• For print Ramp-Up-Idaho-InfoSheet
• Brochure format RampUpIdaho_Brochure

Call 208 331 4706 for more information.