The ABA is Not the Same as the ADA

Most people with disabilities in the US are familiar with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The ADA is a civil rights law. It ensures that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in accessing schools, jobs, transportation, and facilities that are open to the public. These protected rights are similar to those provided to persons on the basis of their age, gender, national origin, race, or religion.

But few have heard of the ABA (Architectural Barriers Act).

The ABA is another civil rights law that applies to buildings or facilities used by federal agencies. These include federal office buildings, federal prisons, national parks, post offices, Social Security offices, veterans’ medical facilities, and US courthouses. The ABA also applies to some non-government facilities that use federal funding, such as mass transit systems, public housing, and some schools.

The technical requirements of the ABA are similar to those of the ADA. An accessibility barrier under the ADA is most like an ABA violation if it appears at a federal facility.

The major difference between the ADA and the ABA is in enforcement. The ADA is enforced by several different agencies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title 1 of the ADA. The Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces Titles 2 and 3. The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces ADA regulations relating to transit. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces telecommunication accessibility.

The ABA is the responsibility of the U.S. Access Board. They handle accessibility complaints related to federal or federally-funded institutions. Reports of violations can be made anonymously.

The accessibility standards that must be met are listed here: https://www.access-board.gov/aba/

The process for filing a complaint is explained here: https://www.access-board.gov/enforcement/

You can also learn what must be reported elsewhere at the above link. 

Tip - Just get started!

It’s easy to procrastinate. Just wait for motivation to kick in before you start on some difficult or dreaded task.

But that’s not really how things work. Action can actually initiate motivation.

This process is called behavioral activation (BA). It’s a therapy often used to deal with depression. Depression leads to inactivity, which causes or deepens depression’s viscous cycle. The purpose of behavioral activation is to break this cycle. 

First you identify patterns in your behavior and list activities you find positive. Then schedule a short, small, enjoyable activity and do it. Often that little serotonin boost will provide enough positivity to allow you to begin what you have been avoiding.

It also helps to consciously break overwhelming tasks into smaller pieces that can be accomplished in a short time frame. Once you have accomplished that first small step, even without motivation, you will often find yourself moving forward to the next step, and then one more.

Although behavioral activation is viewed as a therapeutic treatment for depression, the strategy works just fine for getting things done. You don’t need to be motivated to achieve your goals. You just need to take one small initial action, and often the motivation to complete the project will follow.

Some useful resources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/behavioral-activation#ideas

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/behavioral-activation

 

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for July 2026

In Second Life, you can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.  If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

Men, Women and GLP-1
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

Safe Water Fun
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

Lawn Mowing Safety
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

Use Sunscreen Properly
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

The 5 C's of Migraine Headaches
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

Norovirus ("Stomach Flu")
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

Myths About Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

Is Obesity a Chronic Disease?
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Thank you to Mook for help with the posters this month.

Other Household Costs Impacted by Oil Prices

We’re all experiencing increased prices for gasoline. Gas price increases are also hitting the supply chains for goods in stores, because it now costs more to run the trucks that haul finished goods. But increased oil prices also impact other things we spend our money on.

• Clothing and other fabric goods: Polyester, spandex, and other types of fabrics are derived from petroleum. Higher oil prices may cause a modest increase in prices for new clothes and other items made from these fabrics.

• Plastic household items: Plastic kitchen utensils, storage containers, and even toys may cost more, because many plastic items are petroleum-based.

• Heating oil and propane: The price of crude oil has a direct effect on the costs of heating oil and propane. Heating oil prices are up almost $2 per gallon over last year’s prices. Maybe we should be thankful that summer is here with warmer overnight temperatures.

Here are some ways to save while oil prices fluctuate:

• Cut back on driving your car: Try carpooling or use public transportation. Walking or biking not only saves on gas but offers a health boost.

• Stock up on everyday goods: Buy in bulk, but only what you really will be using.

• Review your budget: Find a way to slightly reduce spending in each budget category and set that amount aside to deal with unexpected cost increases.

It’s more important than ever to stay informed on how oil prices are moving and look for ways to trim your costs until prices come back down.