Sessions educate law enforcers, judicial branch on disability issues

Several sessions of the American with Disability Act Symposium brought members of the judicial branch and law enforcement agencies up to speed on ways to identify people with disabilities who find themselves within the system after committing criminal acts, and ways to assist these people.

Developmental Council executive director Thomas J. Camacho said yesterday that the sessions, held from July 12 to 15, “opened eyes” and brought awareness to the various instances of persons with disabilities running afoul with the law and how to handle these situations.

“We have people with disability who commit criminal acts, not knowing that what they are doing is a crime,” he said.

Camacho said several presentations during the sessions showed various plans and models being used to deal and assist a person with disability, with the intention to limit repeated offenses and bring understanding to both branches as to the various ways of recognizing solutions.

Camacho said a coalition strictly devoted toward assisting and guiding people with disabilities who are going through the legal system is needed in the Commonwealth.

“We need a coalition…between the DDC, the law enforcement, the Northern Marianas Protection Advocacy System Inc., and ARC [Association for Retarded Citizens] in guiding and proving assistance for these people,” he said.

Camacho added that future assistance from ARC, which is based in Colorado Springs, is necessary to assist with creating a model suitable for situations found in the Marianas.

He conceded, though, that funding necessary to accomplish this goal is needed. “We need additional funds, and we looking into that,” he said.

The ADA Symposium is part of celebrating July as ADA Awareness Month. It began on July 12 and was originally scheduled to conclude on July 28; however, Camacho said another session has been added.

“On July 30, we will have a two- to three-hour presentation for small businesses dealing with accessibility requirements, accommodation of employees with disabilities, [and] rights of the employees. It is intended for employers with 100 or less employees,” he said.

Further, Camacho said that due to the low number of registrants, sessions originally scheduled for this week have been rescheduled.

Sessions dealing with ADA Title I: Employment and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Accessible Information Technology, and ADA Titles II-V have been rescheduled for Sept. 27 to 29. One of the sessions may take place sometime in August, depending on the schedule of a representative of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sessions resume next week, dealing with ADA Accessibility Guidelines, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, and the local Parking Access Act for Individuals with Disabilities. Session dates are from July 26-28 and are being held at the Saipan World Resort.

To register, call 664-7000, fax to 664-7030, or email ada@cnmiddcouncil.org.