Join the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) for a free virtual Brown Bag Lunch training on ADA Title I, workplace accommodations, and practical decision-making. This session is for HR professionals, managers and supervisors, employees with disabilities, and others involved in workplace accommodation processes. Attendees will hear from national and state experts and leave with practical tools and resources to support effective accommodation decisions and workplace compliance.
Event details
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Location: Virtual. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
Note: This event will not be recorded.
Accessibility: ASL and CART will be provided.
Certificate: A certificate of attendance will be available.
Registration deadline: Register by 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 8.
Who should attend
This training is designed for:
- HR professionals
- HR accommodation personnel
- Managers and supervisors
- Employees with disabilities
- Title I ADA coordinators
- College and university ADA coordinators
- Union stewards
Program
11 a.m. – Welcome
Facilitators: Cindy Tarshish and David Fenley
About Cindy: Cindy Held Tarshish is a certified ADA coordinator and licensed accessibility specialist with more than 35 years of experience. She served as director of ADA Minnesota and is widely known for training on ADA topics, with a focus on employment and reasonable accommodations.
About David: David Fenley is MCD’s ADA director. He focuses on ADA education and outreach across Minnesota and advises organizations on disability rights, ADA obligations, Minnesota’s Accessibility Code, and digital accessibility.
11:10 a.m. – Ask JAN! We Can Help
Presenter: Tracie DeFreitas, Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Session description: This session introduces JAN’s free services, tools, and guidance on workplace accommodations under the ADA. Attendees will learn how JAN can support the accommodation process and why many accommodations are low cost and effective in improving workplace outcomes.
About Tracie: Tracie DeFreitas leads training and outreach for JAN and has more than 30 years of experience in ADA compliance and workplace accommodations. She is a national expert on the ADA interactive process and practical accommodation strategies.
12 p.m. – Break
Scheduled break.
12:15 p.m. – Making Flexible Work: ADA and Work Arrangements
Presenters: Robert Gould and Marcy Hintzman, Great Lakes ADA Center
Session description: Flexible work arrangements such as telework and modified scheduling are increasingly important in many workplaces. This session covers how to evaluate those requests under the ADA, practical ways to implement flexible work accommodations, and research on how employees with disabilities experience these arrangements in large businesses.
About Robert: Robert Gould, PhD, is research director at the Great Lakes ADA Center and a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. His work focuses on disability law, employment, and policy.
About Marcy: Marcy Hintzman is a project coordinator at the Great Lakes ADA Center. Her background includes ADA compliance, technical assistance, training, and vocational rehabilitation.
1:15 p.m. – Break
Scheduled break.
1:30 p.m. – Increasing Effectiveness as an ADA Coordinator
Presenter: Marcy Hintzman, Great Lakes ADA Center
Session description: This session offers practical tools for managing workplace accommodations more effectively and consistently. Attendees will learn strategies to improve communication, documentation, and collaboration throughout the interactive process.
2:15 p.m. – Closing and Resources
Presenter: David Fenley
Registration and Accommodations
Register for the MCD ADA Title I Employment Training.
ASL and CART will be provided. If you need additional accommodations, please note your request when you register.