New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) recently announced two summer internship programs for college students with disabilities for 2004. The first program, the 2004 Summer Congressional Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities offers second-semester sophomores through first-semester seniors an opportunity to work on Capitol Hill. Accepted candidates will work in congressional offices in Washington, DC. Roundtrip air travel and housing will be provided to interns, and each student will receive a stipend of $1,500. The second program, the 2004 Summer Information Technology Internship for College Students with Disabilities offers undergraduate students an opportunity to work in the information technology field. Accepted candidates will work in various agencies in the executive branch of the federal government. Roundtrip air travel and housing will be provided to interns, and each student will receive a stipend of $4,500. The application deadline for both programs is Monday, December 15, 2003. For more information, visit the AAPD website or call (800) 840-8844.
Middlebury College of Middlebury, Vermont and the college's friend Butch Varno became the subject of a 10-minute feature debuting on ESPN's "SportsCenter" during the 11:30 p.m. show on Sunday, December 7, 2003. The feature centered on the longtime tradition among Middlebury College athletes of picking up Middlebury native Varno at his apartment and bringing him to home football and basketball contests. Varno is unable to provide his own transportation due to being mobile from a wheelchair. Varno has cerebral palsy. Varno was also the subject of Rick Reilly's column in the March 10, 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated. In Reilly's column he explains that "Picking Up Butch" is the best college tradition, and the ESPN feature mimicked this explanation.
The story explored the wonderful relationships that have developed over the years between Varno and numerous Middlebury athletes, administrators, students and faculty.
Produced by Andy Tennant and reported by Chris Connolly, as the administrator explains this tradition is good experience for the students that is passed down from upper classman to freshman. The students have supported Butch in other ways such as tutoring him to achieve his GED. As Butch explains "I honestly wanted to play. That is what cerebral palsy does it takes away the things you want to do." However, the students of Middlebury are "keeping me together holding me together and that is the most important thing." But what the students give Butch is just as important as what Butch gives the students. Picking up Butch offers life lessons that cannot be given in the classroom. "He makes you feel like a million bucks" and he is always there to offer words of congratulations or consolation. As the administrator says, "this tradition says who Butch Varno is and what he has meant to this institution." Congratulations to Butch Varno, Middlebury College, ESPN and Sports Illustrated for doing such a great job of bringing this story to light.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced today $50,983,616 million in housing assistance vouchers to 1,336 housing agencies and non-profit organizations. These rental assistance vouchers are given exclusively to households, who have family members with disabilities, to make leasing private housing affordable. To learn more about the section 8 program, visit the HUD website.
The Sibling Support Project of the Arc of the United States is looking for input from teenage siblings of people with disabilities for a new book. The book will give a voice to teen siblings' concerns in a teen-friendly "slam book" format. Participating teens will be sent a list of questions asking anything from "What's your favorite CD," to "How has your life been impacted by your sibling with a disability?" Those answers that offer the greatest insight and are most representative of a siblings life will be included in the book. Any sibling aged 13 to 19 can participate. Those under the age of 18 must have their parents' permission however. To participate you must have e-mail, be able to send and recieve e-mail attachments, and have access to and know how to use Microsoft Word. If you would like to participate in this project, request your participation form today. Contact Don Meyer of the Sibling Support Project via e-mail: donmeyer@siblingsupport.org, via mail: 6512 23rd Avenue, NW, Suite 213, Seattle, WA 98117 or via phone: (206) 297-6368.
According to a September 2003 press release issued by the University of Pennsylvania Health System, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered four new genes normally found on chromosome 15 that, when lost, may contribute to Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes. Their findings make genetic screenings and drug development for spastic paraplegia possible and can open the door for better diagnosis of chromosome 15 rearrangements, including deletions that cause Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, and duplications found in some cases of autism. Nicholls and his colleagues announce their findings in two separate papers in the October issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics (available now online). The first paper describes how breakpoint regions on human chromosome 15 contribute to chromosome rearrangements in evolution and Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, and identifies four new genes - named NIPA1, NIPA2, CYFIPI, and GCP5 - in the most unstable part of chromosome 15. The second paper details how researchers linked a mutation in NIPA1 to families with hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Access Board, an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities, issued several guides on access to various types of recreation facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guides cover access to amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf courses, miniature golf courses, sports facilities, and swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. They are based on guidelines the Board issued last year as a supplement to its ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). The new guides are designed to help users become familiar with the guidelines, including the meaning and intent of specific provisions. Single copies are available free from the Board and can be ordered at (800) 872-2253 (voice), (800) 993-2822 (TTY), or pubs@access-board.gov. The guides are also available on the Access Board website.
The Youth Advisory Committee of the National Council on Disability is looking for feedback from college students with disabilities on how they pay for their higher education. Sharing your story will lead to a greater knowledge of what is available and needed and will ultimately lead to improved opportunities and services for you and other college students with disabilities. Please share all you can in regards to your experiences with financial aid as it relates to your education. Following are a few questions you can consider while writing your story:
You can help by sending just one paragraph about an issue or concern that matters to you. The NCD wants to hear from you, so keep your notes short and send them soon!
Please return your comments by October 30, 2003 by e-mial to youth@ncd.gov, by fax to the Youth Advisory Committee at (202) 272-2022, or by mail to, Youth Advisory Committee, National Council on Disability, 1331 F St., NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, has chosen "America Works Best When All Americans Work" as the official theme of this October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The theme embodies the Administration's position that economic opportunity can be accomplished through job creation. Many companies continue to have misconceptions about employing workers with disabilities. Local coordinators are encouraged to plan events and programs that will highlight the abilities and accomplishments of job seekers and employees with disabilities. An excellent way for job seekers and employers to meet is through participation in this year's Disability Mentoring Day, scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2003. This day is a nationwide event designed to bring people with disabilities into the workplace to learn more about their chosen career field from business mentors. To learn more, visit the American Association of People with Disabilities Disability Mentoring Day website.
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is now accepting applications for their Brighter Tomorrow Grant. The goal of the grant is to provide individuals with MS with goods or services (valued at up to $1000.00 per recipient) to improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well-being. Past grants have provided home modifications, home appliances, car repairs, exercise equipment and many other items and services. To qualify, a person must be 18 years of age or older, be diagnosed with MS, or be the parent of a minor child diagnosed with MS, and be a permanent U.S. resident. Applicants must not have any other means of fulfilling the need they express. Applicants are asked to provide basic personal and financial information, and to write a brief essay of 100 words or less to describe how the grant would help them have A Brighter Tomorrow. If you would like to apply for a Brighter Tomorrow grant, fill out thier online application or call (888) 673-6287 to receive an application by mail.
Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP), launched on September 1, 2003 provides public education, leadership development and training, and information on public policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. The center features information on the mainstays of disability policy such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as many helpful government programs such as Personal Assistance Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Medicaid Buy-in for workers with disabilities. The site also offers for sale a CD ROM and training materials on how to work effectively to change disability policy.
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is working with the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) to offer their members Access Loans, available for any product, device, or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability in their daily lives. DCU members may obtain Access Loans for 100% of the purchase amount, from $1,500 to $25,000 and with repayment terms up to 72 months. Qualified purchases include, but are not limited to: powered-non-vehicle transportation, manual transportation, adaptive computer and communications equipment, durable medical equipment, rehabilitative equipment, as well as accessible building modifications. DCU also offers Mobility Vehicle Loans for the purchase of modified vehicles. Loans are offered from $5,000 to $100,000 with up to 120 months to repay. There is no cost to join DCU, you need only open a savings account with $5.00. For more information, visit the DCU website or call them at (800) 328-8797.
Corpier Consulting Services of Sedalia, Misourri, recently released a unique voice controlled assistive technology product to help people with physical disabilities live more independently in their own homes. The computer system, known as RALPH (Real Assisted Living for the Physically Handicapped), which uses advanced artificial intelligence technology to provide a virtual assistant, provides home automation, monitoring, security and reminder functions. The system offers a range of functions from the turning on and off of lights, to the retrieving, monitoring and relaying of news, weather and television information to the user verbally. The system was originally developed for a man with a physical disability who longed to stay in his own home after his wife and caregiver passed away. According to Greg Corpier, the system creator, “[RALPH] has been in operation in the clients home for over 2 years and has proven to be so successful we have decided to make it available to others who can benefit from its use." The system costs far less than other comparable devices and can save a user tens of thousands of dollars over the long run by eliminating the need for a human live-in aide. The price tag ranges from $3500 to $6000 depending upon the selected options and specific needs of each client. To learn how RALPH may benefit you or your loved one, visit the website above or call (660) 826-2075.
Joni and Friends, a faith-based non-profit organization, hosts accessible family retreats throughout the United States. As stated on the Joni and Friends website, "Family Retreats provide dynamic five-day programs that refresh and strengthen the whole family. They offer a change of pace where families affected by disability can have fun together in a safe and accepting environment." This summer's retreats are taking place in California, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Fees are based upon number attending. For more information, visit the Family Retreat web section, e-mail familyretreats@joniandfriends.org or call (818) 707-2391.
Special Olympics recently commissioned a study measuring the world's view of people with developmental disabilities. The Multinational Study of Attitudes toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, conducted in 10 different countries, has found that negative stereotypical perceptions of those with developmental disabilities continue to permeate societies worldwide. Included in the findings:
Overall, the survey shows that the general population lacks an appreciation of the range of capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and therefore have low expectations of how much people with mental disabilities can achieve. The study also revealed that the world still believes individuals with intellectual disabilities should work and learn in separate settings, apart from people without disabilities. According to Timothy Shriver, President of the Special Olympics, "our greatest hope is that this study will serve as the catalyst for a real and lasting change in the public's attitudes toward the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in every aspect of society in every country on the planet."
TheDesk.info offers a comprehensive on-line resource on Medicaid to people with developmental disabilities and their families in 11 different states, including California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. This website features information on Medicaid as it relates to community services, health services, in-home services and employment services available in your communities. They also provide you with an opportunity to ask them Medicaid-related questions. If you have been wondering about the services available in your state under Medicaid, this is the site to visit.
National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks has launched its Emergency Preparedness Initiative. The initiative has two main objectives. The first is to make sure that the special needs of people with disabilities are adequately addressed prior to an emergency in order to minimize the adverse impact on them and their communities. The second is to ensure that people with disabilities are included in the emergency planning process at all levels of government and the private sector so they can offer their insights, knowledge, and resourcefulness. The Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide for Emergency Managers, Planners and Responders highlights key disability concerns to those officials and experts responsible for emergency planning in their communities, and assists them in developing plans that will take into account the needs and insights of people with disabilities before, during and after emergencies. The guide also offers steps that every emergency preparedness manager should consider in ensuring that the needs and situations of people with disabilities are taken into account in all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Emergency management professionals may receive up to three free copies. The guide is also available for download from the N.O.D. website. To order this guide e-mail epi@nod.org or fax (202) 530-0727.
Technical Assistance Collaborative has released the most recent edition of Priced Out, a document detailing the housing crisis that many people with disabilities face, often earning far less than the housing market demands. The latest edition, Priced Out in 2002 - Housing Crisis Worsens for People with Disabilities has found that there is not one single housing market in the United States where modestly priced efficiency and one bedroom apartments are affordable to people with disabilities receiving SSI. On average, an SSI beneficiary would have to pay 105% of their benefits to rent a one-bedroom apartment. The national housing wage, the hourly wage a family would have to earn to afford moderately priced housing, is $12.08, 352% of the national hourly SSI wage of $3.43. This most recent report demonstrates the immensity of this crisis. The TAC hopes that this report will serve as a wake-up call to all federal, state and local officials who, while acknowledging the nations housing and/or chronic homeless problem, fail to make the housing needs and housing affordability problems of people with disabilities a high priority. As citizens of America, it is up to us to see that this crisis is no longer ignored by government officials.
National Housing Trust Fund Campaign is working to address the immense housing crisis that many low income families are now facing. With the national housing wage at an all time high of $12.08, many families are far from obtaining safe, decent, affordable housing anywhere in the United States. In an effort to combat this crisis, the campaign has set out to create a National Housing Trust Fund that would build and preserve 1.5 million units of rental housing for the lowest income families over the next 10 years. Housing trust funds are distinct funds established by cities, counties and states that permanently dedicate a source of public revenue to support the production and preservation of affordable housing. Bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House calling for such a fund. Contact your representatives today. Let them know how the creation of a housing trust fund could benefit you or your loved ones. To learn how you can get involved in the campaign's movement, visit their website or call their Washington D.C. office at (202) 662-1530.
United States Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the availability of $13 million in grants for states and territories to establish, expand and improve access to voting areas and increase voter participation by individuals with disabilities. The grants will be used by states in collaboration with local governments to enhance accessibility to polling places for individuals with disabilities; provide outreach to the disability community about polling accessibility; and to train poll workers, elections officials and volunteers on methods to promote access and increase voter participation for individuals with disabilities. With voting accessibility initiatives rolling forward throughout the United States, soon there will be no reason for people with disabilities to avoid the polling places on election day.
According to an article written by Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, "for years, advocates have talked about the more than 30 million voting age adults with disabilities and the millions of parents and grand-parents of disabled children as a force to be reckoned with politically. Some have called the disability vote the "sleeping giant" of American politics." Your time for awakening should arrive in time for the next presidential election - do not let this opportunity to vote pass you by.
Cafe Signes, unlike the many bistros sprinkling the streets of Paris, France, is strangely quiet. The conversations, though jubilant, are silent, conveyed mostly through sign language rather than spoken word. Set up with government backing, the cafe is designed to train people with hearing impediments for full-time jobs. Nearly all of the 45 staff are deaf. Patrons who are unable to read or understand sign language are given a quick tutorial: the menu contains pictures of all the main signs needed to communicate an order. While most enjoy the challenge of signing their orders, customers may also wish to write their orders down. In addition to offering job training, the cafe, serves an even greater purpose, and that is to bring about a better understanding of those with disabilities. Francine Daude, a staff trainer at the cafe, has said "most deaf people and hearing people are actually afraid of each other, and suddenly the non-deaf who come here find themselves a little in the same situation as a deaf person. They have to learn a whole new way to communicate. It's good to have a link between the two, and the link is this cafe - a place where you can drink, eat and have a good time together and begin to discover that the person on the other side is not so different after all."
U.S. Department of Transportation, since August 2002 has offered a helpful Toll Free Hotline for air travelers with disabilities. The Hotline serves two main purposes: (1) education and (2) assistance in resolving disability-related air travel problems. Recognizing that many air travelers with disabilities are unaware of their rights, the hotline offers information on the Air Carrier Access Act and the DOT's implementing regulations 14 CFR Part 382 (Part 382). The hotline also offers "real time" assistance in resolving issues in accordance with the ACAA and Part 382. If an air traveler has a current or foresees an upcoming issue with an air carrier, a Hotline Duty Officer will immediately contact that air carrier and attempt to resolve the issue. For example, there have been a number of incidents in which Hotline Duty Officers have contacted air carriers and resolved issues concerning the acceptance of service animals and electric wheelchairs on board flights. The hotline is available from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. (Eastern Time), seven days a week. To access the hotline call (800) 778-4838 (Voice) or (800) 455-9880 (TTY).
Social Security Administration (SSA) plans to revise SSI and SSDI rules relating to the evaluation of mental disorders in children and adults who apply for Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income due to their disability. Before this revision, SSA is asking for comments and suggestions from interested individuals and organizations. In addition to comments about its rules, SSA is also seeking ideas on how to improve their programs for people who have mental disorders, especially for those who would like to work full-time or part-time with supports from SSA and the Federal Government. Comments will be accepted until Monday, June 16, 2003. You may give your comments on SSA's Program Policy Information Site, by e-mail to regulations@ssa.gov, by fax to (410) 966-2830; or, by letter to the Commissioner of Social Security, P.O. Box 17703, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7703.
Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc. (ELA) is now accepting applications for their 2003 Scholarship Program for women with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a college or university graduate program in the United States. Scholarships range up to a maximum of $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
ELA will award scholarships depending on academic and leadership merit. Applications must be received in the ELA office no later than 5:00 PM on June 1, 2003. To learn of the application procedures, visit the ELA Scholarship web section or call (626) 398-8840.
Federal Communications Commission on May 15, 2003, announced changes that will allow people with disabilities better access to the broad range of telecommunications and information services now available. Visit the FCC website to learn how these changes may benefit you.
American Foundation for the Blind, this April, awarded the 2003 AFB Most Livable Community Award to Charlotte, North Carolina. According to AFB, Charlotte was selected mainly because it is affordable, walkable, and has a temperate climate; the community also has a cooperative city government that works with blindness advocates. Additional awards were given to Berkeley, California, Kalamazoo, Michigan New York, New York, La Crosse, Wisconsin and Louisville, Kentucky. The nominations came directly from over 200 blind or visually impaired participants in a national research project. An accessible Public Transportation System was the key in determining the "livability" of cities and towns. Other Criteria included community integration and a general sense of acceptance, ease of travel throughout the area, safety, availability of employment, access to education, arts and recreation, affordability of housing, as well as access to services and necessities of daily living.
University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study in which they will seek information and experiences from wheelchair users who do not transfer to a vehicle seat while riding public buses. Based on the results of this research study, they hope to develop a wheelchair securement system and an occupant restraint system that better meet your needs and are more compatible with the fast-paced, unaccommodating nature of bus travel. In order to take part in the study you must be a wheelchair user or caregiver for someone who uses a wheelchair for daily mobility. You must also be at least 18 years of age, be a resident of the United States of America and have ridden fixed route (public) transportation. To take part in this 15 to 20 minute voluntary study, visit Wheelchair Transportation Survey: A Study of Wheelchair User Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior When Riding Buses.
Hamilton Internet Relay is revolutionizing the way in which people who are deaf and hard of hearing have phone conversations. The HIP Relay Internet site is up and running and ready to relay your conversation. HIP Relay is fast, FREE and an easy way to access Relay, providing reliable service from experienced, professional Communication Assistants (CA). If you have Internet Access, you can log onto the HIP Website, as linked above and communicate through relay with anyone, anywhere. With HIP Relay, you communicate using your computer keyboard. You may send a conversation by striking the enter key on your keyboard, giving you an opportunity to edit your remarks before your conversation is voiced. You can also type while the Communication Assistant is typing, which makes for a quicker conversation. Using HIP Relay will allow you to quickly connect to the relay from anywhere in the country with no additional charges. You will even save on long distance charges. To learn more, or to place your call, visit the HIP Relay Website.
Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao and her Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is reminding businesses "that there are large numbers of skilled people with disabilities who have the qualifications they seek." Aside from benefiting from the skill employees with disabilities bring to the company, businesses can also enjoy a variety of tax benefits offered by the federal government. These tax benefits include:
Further explanation of these, and other tax benefits, can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section on the ODEP Website. If you are a small business owner and would like to offer work opportunities to people with disabilities, there are a variety of resources available. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an information and referral service on job accommodations for people with disabilities which can be reached toll free at (800) 526-7234 or on the web. The Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN), a nationwide cost-free referral and technical assistance service for employers, can assist you in locating and recruiting qualified workers with disabilities. EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now ((866) 327-6669) or on the web.
Mattie Stepanek, the 13-year old bestselling poet with dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a rare neuromuscular disease, has been writing since he was just 5. He is now teaming up with another young sensation, Billy Gillman, to release his poems in music form. Gilman's new album "Heartsongs," based upon Stepanek's poetic lines, will be available for purchase April 15 of this year.
Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) has unveiled a new website designed to gather comments and recommendations on research needs for persons with disabilities. ICDR, a group promoting coordination and cooperation among Federal agencies conducting rehabilitation research programs, has developed the site to help ensure that federal research efforts address the needs of the disability community. Of course the only way to ensure that your needs are addressed is for you to share your concerns. The new website provides an easy to use form for submitting recommendations on research concerning access to technology, education, employment, community life, health care, and other needs. The comments shared by you and other members of the disability community will be used by ICDR in developing recommendations to the President and Congress on priorities related to disability and rehabilitation research. This research will in turn, undoubtedly lead to better programs and greater opportunities for you. Here is your chance, make your voice heard. Visit the ICDR website today and share your concerns.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched a new education and outreach program on the Fair Housing Act and accessible housing. The Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST program, designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements, provides guidance and training on the act. In support of this program, a new website has been launched, providing Fair Housing Act education materials, training sessions, frequently asked questions, and links to other resources. A team of architects and housing accessibility experts have also developed a training curriculum including information on the requirements of the act and other disability rights laws, enforcement, common design violations and solutions, and access to kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces. Technical assistance is available by calling (888) 341-7781 (Voice / TTY), Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 (ET) or by sending an e-mail to contact@fairhousingfirst.org.
An Oregon Health and Science University doctoral student, studying family nursing, is conducting a study of family caregivers that use the Internet to support their caregiving. The purpose of the study is to learn how caregivers use the Internet and how the Internet has or has not benefited them. This student is now looking for participants. Participating Caregivers will complete a 15 to 20 minute online questionnaire. Upon completing the questionnaire, participants can then decide if they would be interested in participating in the second aspect of the study, which would involve telephone interviews with select participants. The information gathered from this study will be used to design more user friendly web sites for caregivers. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please visit the Family Caregiver Internet Experiences Study HomePage to learn more.
In recent months, Nick Dupree, a 20 year old Alabama man, made national headlines with his battle to change Alabama Medicaid policy. Under the previous Alabama Medicaid policy, Nick would have lost his eligibility for home care services when he turned 21. On Monday, February 10, 2003 the US Department of Health and Human Services responded to the outcry from Nick and thousands of advocates by approving a Medicaid Waiver that would provide home care services to people with disabilities beyond the age of 21. While this waiver does not affect those that have already reached the age of 21, it will be welcomed by the nearly 30 Alabamans who will turn 21 this year. The waiver will be available to an additional 35 young men and woman next year. Even with this victory in hand, Nick contends that he will continue to fight for the thousands of others throughout the United States that are in danger of losing their home care services. Please continue to join in the advocacy effort. Without your voice, very little will be done to affect positive change in your life. Visit Nick's Website today.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a fact sheet for employers who are considering allowing an individual with a disability to work from home as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The fact sheet provides a guided approach for employers and employees to explore telework and to determine if it would be a workable solution for both parties. If you are an employee with a disability interested in exploring the option of working from home or if you are an employer interested in offering this option as a reasonable accommodation, the Telework Fact Sheet is a must read.
Low-income households may be eligible to receive monthly discounts on their telephone bills through their local Lifeline program. This program gives a monthly discount of $7.00 or more on local telephone service. Additionally, if you have recently moved and wish to have your phone service connected, you may also be eligible for Link-Up. This program covers the costs of local telephone service connection fees. For more information on either of these programs, contact your local telephone company.
Fishing Has No Boundaries, a non-profit organization based in Hayward, Wisconsin has planned a number of exciting fishing adventures in locations throughout the United States. The adventures begin in May in Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio and continue throughout the summer and fall in Minnesota, Wyoming, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. All are welcome! Regardless of disability, mental or physical, Fishing Has No Boundaries can get you on the water and fishing in no time. These events provide a great opportunity to meet new friends while enjoying the beauty of nature. To learn more about the event nearest you, visit their website or call (800) 243-3462.
In just a few short weeks, Nick Dupree, an Alabama resident will turn 21. An eager turning point for many, a potential disaster for Nick. You see, at the stroke of Midnight on February 23, 2003, at the age of 21, Nick will lose his eligibility for home care services under Alabama's Medicaid program. Without this care, his family will be faced with an unfortunate choice: either move Nick to a nursing home in Louisiana hundreds of miles away, or take full responsibility for the 24-hour home care he requires. His family is determined to keep Nick out of a nursing home.
This choice is forced by a policy included in the original 1965 Medicaid language, stating that home care services will be covered by Medicaid only until the age of 21. While some states, such as Massachusetts, Maine and Pennsylvania, have developed Medicaid plans that allow for adult home care, many others, like Alabama, are simply meeting the bare minimum required by law.
In an effort to change the Alabama Medicaid policy, On March 13, 2001, Nick launched Nick's Crusade. Nick's website is just one aspect of his crusade to change the state of Alabama's Medicaid law. Chances are you or someone you know will benefit from a revised Medicaid policy. For the sake of Nick and all the others like him, please join other advocates in urging the president to take immediate action on this issue. Please write today!
George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Public Comment Line: (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-6213 (TYD/TDD)
E mail address: president@whitehouse.gov
To learn more about this issue, please read a letter written by Bob Williams and Henry Claypool of Advancing Independence: Modernizing Medicare and Medicaid (AIMMM For a Better Tomorrow).
HalfthePlanet Foundation President and CEO Stan Klein and John D. Kemp, are co-editing a new book. For this book, adults who have grown up with disabilities and/or health care needs are invited to write short essays for parents of children with disabilities and/or health care needs. In their essays, authors are asked to write what they wish their own parents had read or been told while they were growing up. The authors of accepted essays will receive $125 in compensation. All essays must be received by February 15, 2003.
Following are the guidelines for essays: 1) Write an essay of 1500 words, with a biography of 150 words or less, that includes your mailing address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. 2) Submit your essay as an e-mail attachment in Microsoft Word or paste your essay into the body of your email to stan@disabilitiesbooks.com. Or send by mail on a disk to Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D., DisABILITIESBOOKS, Inc., P.O. Box 470715, Brookline, MA 02447-0715.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that President Bush will propose a new $1.75 billion dollar five-year program to assist people with disabilities living in institutions to transition back into their communities. This proposal is one of several new efforts to be included in the fiscal year (FY) 2004 budget for the President's New Freedom Initiative, a nationwide effort to integrate people with disabilities more fully into society. According to a press release issued by HHS, main proposals in the FY 2004 budget will include:
For information on how this new proposal may benefit you, call HHS toll-free at (877) 696-6775.
Hamilton Internet Relay (HIP Relay) will soon change the way in which those who are deaf or hard of hearing access relay services. In the coming year, Hamilton will launch their new website, allowing those with Internet access to use the relay through a web page. With HIP Relay, you may send a conversation by striking the enter key on your keyboard, giving you an opportunity to edit your remarks before your conversation is voiced. You can also type while the Communication Assistant is typing, which makes for a quicker conversation. Using HIP Relay will allow you to quickly connect to the relay from anywhere in the country with no additional charges. You will even save on long distance charges. If you would like to be notified when HIP Relay is available or would like to arrange for training, call (800) 618-4781, e-mail hiprelay@hamilton.net, or write to Hamilton Internet Relay, 1006 Twelfth Street, Aurora, Nebraska 68818.
University of Sussex Psychologists have found that people who are involved in advocacy campaigns or political demonstrations experience an improved psychological state that can assist them in overcoming stress in their lives. The study's findings support prior findings that suggest feeling part of a group has positive effects on an individual's health. This is yet another reason why any person with a disability who has experienced injustice become part of the social movement to remove the daily physical and perceptual barriers faced by the millions of people affected by disability. It is time that you become involved in positive social movements that can improve your quality of life. There are hundreds of advocacy campaigns underway throughout the United States. If you would like to become involved, a great organization to contact here in the United States is American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT). ADAPT offers numerous opportunities for individuals to voice their feelings and to take part in advocacy events and demonstrations.
Global Handicarts has developed a new product aimed at assisting people who use wheelchairs with the task of shopping. The Handicart's unique design eliminates many existing problems not addressed by current shopping carts for people with disabilities. The Handicart is an easily operated, wheelchair accessible shopping cart with ample space, unmatched stability, and a universal connection. The basket is designed to attach to any wheelchair, allowing the user to have free use of their hands. This feature eliminates the struggle many wheelchair users face in steering the cart and operating their wheelchair at the same time. The universal connection and lightweight design make the Handicart one of a kind. If you use a wheelchair and have found the use of a traditional shopping cart cumbersome, make your local grocer aware of the Handicart. Likewise, if you own or operate a store that utilizes shopping carts, make sure you check out the Handicart. To learn more, or to see the design of the Handicart, visit Global Handicarts online.
Are you a college student with a disability looking for a great way to gain work experience? If so, the Booz Allen Hamilton Emerging Leaders 2003 Internship Program may be just what you've been looking for. This program chooses eligible applicants and introduces them to corporations offering experience in their field of study. The program pairs paid summer internships with career and leadership development activities. To be considered for an internship through the Emerging Leaders program, applicants must submit the three following required elements, due by February 1, 2003:
(1) Completed Application
(2) Current Resume
(3) At least one, and up to three, letters of recommendation with original signatures. These must be mailed (no fax or email).
You may submit your application and resume via email, fax or regular mail.
Applications are not considered complete until all three required elements are on file. To obtain a program application, visit the Emerging Leaders website.
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