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Hot Off the Press! Archives
The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information is a new web site developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs. While the website is aimed at the senior community, it is also helpful for families of younger people with disabilities. The website offers three sections including: Understanding Long Term Care, Planning for Long Term Care and Paying for Long Term Care. The site also offers a planning guide for download. This site can be visited at http://www.longtermcare.gov/.
Eleven states, including Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina and Virginia have been granted funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to design innovative new programs that will provide children with Mental Illness and their families community-based support services. These new programs will allow children to remain in their homes, rather than in residential facilities. Programs approved for funding under this demonstration include 24-hour support and crisis intervention in a community setting, training for families, respite care for those families, and after-school support programs. It is anticipated that by 2011, 11,000 children with serious mental illnesses will benefit from the new programs these grants will fund.
In 2002 the American Council of the Blind filed suit against the Department of the Treasury alleging that the Department violates section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by its repeated failures to design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired people. U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled in support of this suit stating that "It can no longer be successfully argued that a blind person has 'meaningful access' to currency if he/she cannot accurately identify paper money without assistance." The United States is one of few countries that does not differentiate denominations by size and/or textures. While it is not clean as to when any changes will occur, this ruling is a clear victory for all those with with low or no vision. The complete text of the order is available in PDF format by visiting www.dcd.uscourts.gov/opinions/2006/2002-CV-0864~12:56:1~11-28-2006-a.pdf.
Social Security officials recently issued a warning about a new email scam that has surfaced recently.
The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated with the subject "Cost-of- Living for 2007 update". The email appears to be from the Social Security Administration, but is not. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following "NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information." It then gives a deadline by which this information must be updated or else "we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely." The reader is then directed to a website designed to look like Social Security's Internet website.
Once directed to the phony website, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual's Social Security number, bank account information, and credit card information.
Inspector General Patrick O'Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. "You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information," O'Carroll said.
To report receipt of this email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG), please call the OIG Toll-Free Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the OIG TTY number at 1-866-501-2101). A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at OIG's website.
The U.S. Department of Energy claims that weatherization works! "In the 3 decades since its founding in 1976, U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Weatherization Assistance Program has provided weatherization services to more than 5.5 million low-income families. It is a record of service to some of society's neediest citizens that also benefits our nation by reducing our energy dependency, improving the environment, and stimulating economic development in low-income communities."
"Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. These are not expensive upgrades — the average expenditure limit is $2,826 per home — but they are effective, and energy savings pay for the upgrades within a few years. DOE documents the savings and compares them against costs, so that over the years they can determine the efficacy of these measures."
Homeowners who meet the guidelines can sign up for a free home weatherization program that can save them money on their utility bills by reducing the amount of energy they use. Instead of providing aid to people, this program offers people a way to make the home modifications necessary to reduce their energy use, thus reducing their energy costs. People with low-income, or households with a member receiving Supplemental Security Income, Aid to Dependent Children or Energy Assistance payments can qualify for the free project, however homes may be disqualified if there are structural damage or other problems. For more information, see our article on the Weather Assistance Program on our Housing:FAQ page or to apply for assistance, contact your state's Weatherization Assistance Program.
November 15 - December 31, 2006 - Medicare Open Enrollment
Is your Medicare Health Plan meeting your needs? There are a number of different plans available. Now is the time to investigate whether another plan may better meet your needs in 2007. Open enrollment for Medicare health and drug plans starts on November 15th and runs through December 31st. To learn more about the plans that are available in your state, either visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (Voice), (877) 486-2048 (TTY). More specifically, the Medicare website offers a tool called Landscape of Local Plans - State-by-State Breakdown - www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/local-plans-2007.asp.
If your insurance plan does not fully cover your prescription medications, a new brochure offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may be able to help. Bridging the Coverage Gap offers six suggestions on how you can lower your out of pocket medication expense:
Check out this September 12, 2006 article written by Nancy Christy at The Progressive Media Project. Nancy Christy commends the United Nations on the Treaty to Ban Discriminatiion Against People Who Have Disabilities, but responds with similar concerns that Polish President Kaczynski states in his acceptance speech for the International Disability Award. Both commend the United Nations in their recent effort to protect the rights of people with disabilities around the world, but feel that equal participation in our communities also requires creating opportunities. Poland has made a commitment for equal participation especially in the area of employment. Nancy Christy's article describes her and her partners practical experience with hiring the disabled for their Wilson Street Grill, a neighborhood restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin in 1987. "What we found was that our employees with disabilities were among our greatest assets." To learn more about this experience, please visit the above link to her article.
Has your state applied for federal Money Follows the Person funds? If your state officials have yet to grasp the urgency of this movement, they need only review the personal, if not heart-wrenching, testimony from the just-released transcript of the National Hearing on Ending Institutional Bias in Long-Term Services and Supports. During the March 2006 hearing, 70 people shared their experiences of "living" in a nursing home. As one previous nursing home resident put it, "the prevailing atmosphere in nursing homes is that we now own you. You become a non-person. Your rights, human rights, and civil rights are routinely violated...there was no dignity." Encourage your state officials to review the transcript.
States have until November 1, 2006 to submit applications for the additional federal funds to help them rebalance their long-term services and supports funding away from institutions and toward community-based alternatives. The full transcript from the National Hearing on Ending Institutional Bias in Long-Term Services and Supports, held in Nashville, Tennessee, March 19, 2006 can be found at www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/aar/nash06/transcript.htm.
On Friday, September 15, 2006, National Public Radio featured a broadcast that chronicled the struggle disability advocates faced in securing independent, community care for people with disabilities. Earlier this summer federal officials announced the Money Follows the Person Grant program, through which the federal government will provide states as much as $2 million dollars to move people out of nursing homes. This victory was years in the making, spawned from an unlikely alliance that was formed when advocates met with Mark McClellan during a peaceful demonstration in Washington DC.
Change does not just happen, we must make it happen! The story and audio clip is available on the NPR website at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6076125.
In an effort to modernize the Social Security Disability Benefits program while also aligning it with the vision of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Social Security Advisory Board has spent the last several years developing a plan for the future. The report, entitled A Disability System for the 21st Century proclaims that "the Nation's proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals..." To read the preliminary electronic version, visit the Administration's website at: www.ssab.gov/documents/disability-system-21st.pdf.
A newly formed coalition of mental health consumers will bring a political voice to the vast population of Americans experiencing mental illness. The National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations (NCMHCSO) will ensure that those impacted by mental illness play a major role in the development and implementation of health and mental health care and social policies at the state and national levels. The coalition currently consists of organizations run by consumers representing 28 states and the District of Columbia. To learn how you can become involved, visit the Coalition website - www.NCMHCSO.org.
Do you have heart-warming, insightful and powerfully moving stories about what life has taught you and how to live life to its fullest? The authors of the New York Times Best-selling book series Chicken Soup for the Soul are currently seeking stories to be included in a new book tentatively titled Chicken Soup for the Special Needs Community: 101 heartwarming, helpful, healing stories that offer inspiration and promise surrounding the lives of special needs individuals. Through these stories, the readers learn how others facing similar challenges can learn to overcome the many obstacles they have. They do this by connecting with emotions in the real life experience by learning they can choose peace and happiness in each situation regardless of how challenging it appears from the outside.
Now you have an opportunity to contribute to this new series by sharing your strength, insights, knowledge and wisdom. What makes a good Chicken Soup story?
A Chicken Soup story is an inspirational, true story that opens the heart and re-kindles the spirit. It is the personal account of an event, an obstacle overcome, a lesson learned or a dream fulfilled that helps the reader discover basic principles they can use in their own lives. If you have a story you would like to submit, please email your stories to hmcnamara@verizon.net.
At a ceremony at the United Nations, New York City, Poland's President, Lech Kaczyński, accepted the presentation of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, an honor bestowed on a country that has promoted and protected the rights of their disabled population. The award was presented by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of the late president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland has made phenomenal progress in disability inclusion amid their remarkable political, economic and social change. Their constitution, drawn in 1997, guarantees the full participation of people with disabilities in all facets of life, particularly in employment. This constitutional commitment has been translated into reality in the daily lives of people with disabilities. The FDR Award, includes a $50,000 cash prize which will be given to The Association for the Welfare of the Deaf and Blind, a Polish non-government organization that specializes in providing assistance to persons with hearing and vision impairments. This month countries can begin signing this important resolution that will extend discrimination protections and the rights to education, health services and transportation for an estimated 650 people million people with disabilities around the world.
President Kaczyński, in his address at receiving the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, said, "For many years, their (650 million people with disabilities around the world) needs and rights tended to be overlooked. Thankfully, that has been changing, but much more must be done. Let us remember that equal participation requires not only dismantling barriers, but creating opportunities. Let us stress that societies that neglect the integration of persons with disabilities deprive themselves of the valuable contributions such individuals make. And let us, finally, reaffirm our commitment to the full participation of disabled people in the economic, social and political lives of their societies."
This article includes excerpts from an August 27th article published on the United Nations website.
This August, after five years of negotiations, member countries of the United Nations have agreed on a new international treaty to protect the rights of persons with disabilities throughout the world. Delegates from more than 100 countries worked with hundreds of representatives from non-governmental disability organizations in drafting the treaty. The message of the treaty, according to UN General Assembly President Jan Eliasson is that "we want to have a life with dignity for all and that all human beings are all equal."
It is no secret that in many countries, including here in the United States, people with disabilities continue to be treated as inferior, as incapable of leading full, productive lives. This mentality has bred insurmountable barriers that continue to limit those with disabilities. Proponents of the convention maintained that the treaty was necessary because persons with disabilities represented one of the most marginalized groups and that their rights had been routinely ignored or denied throughout much of the world.
While the convention does not create new rights, it specifically prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all areas of life, including civil rights, access to justice and the right to education, health services and access to transportation. The convention was largely approved by consensus.
The convention will be formally sent to the General Assembly for adoption at its next session, which begins in September. It will then be open for signing and ratification by all countries.
To review the Draft Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities visit the UN website at www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc8adart.htm.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is seeking four talented youth (ages 16-25) with disabilities to fill four vacant positions on their national Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). One of the positions is reserved specifically for a high school student. NCD is an independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting all Americans with disabilities. The YAC, a 12 member advisory committee encourages youth across disability sectors, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and under-represented areas of the country to apply. Application documents must be received through E-mail by September 14, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
The application consists of:
A brief daytime telephone interview with you may also be needed for a selected list of finalists among the top applicants.
Your application must be e-mailed to YOUTH@ncd.gov, Attn: Dr. Gerrie Hawkins, Designated Federal Official, Youth Advisory Committee, National Council on Disability. Applications received after September 14, 2006 will not be considered.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on People with Disabilities: A Look Back and Remaining Challenges, as a guide for the President, Congress, and other emergency planners to develop inclusive emergency preparedness and response plans. Last year's hurricane's brought to light just how underprepared our local and national governments were when it comes to the evacuation of people with disabilities. People with disabilities were often unable to evacuate because transportation was inaccessible. Furthermore those with visual or hearing disabilities did not receive the pertinent evacuation information because the emergency announcements did not comply with federal accessibility laws. This report encourages immediate change and offers concrete, feasible suggestions to make the necessary changes. The paper is available on the NCD website at www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2006/hurricanes_impact.htm.
States have the power to end the institutional bias in Medicaid - but your state officials must act now. On July 26, 2006 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2007 Money Follows the Person demonstration grants to states. There will be $250 million available beginning January 1, 2007 and a total $1.75 billion over five years for states to offer greater choice in long term care. These are competitive grants. Your State must develop and submit a plan to receive a grant. Recognizing that "the advancement of home and community-based long term care services requires increased community housing options," CMS will give special consideration to grants that demonstrate plans to work with Housing Finance Agencies to solve community housing shortages. The full CMS Program Announcement is available at www.cms.hhs.gov/NewFreedomInitiative/downloads/MFP_2007_Announcement.pdf.
Contact your state's Medicaid Office and encourage them to work with local disability agencies in developing a plan that will end unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities.
United Spinal, a non-profit organization serving people with spinal cord injuries, is embarking on a major legislative campaign to ensure that every Medicare recipient with a disability has access to the "Right Wheelchair." Outdated policies prevent many Medicare recipients from getting the wheelchair they need to live independent and productive lives. Currently, Medicare will only pay for a wheelchair if you need it for use in your home. If you can function at home with a manual chair, but need a power chair to go to work, your doctor, or the local grocery store, Medicare will only pay for a manual chair. If you don't have the right wheelchair because Medicare refuses to pay for it, they need to hear from you. Personal stories from people affected by this rule are the most powerful tool to make Congress understand why updated legislation is urgently needed. To share your story, please contact Dan Anderson, legislative analyst, Public Policy, at (800) 404-2898, extension 294, or e-mail him at danderson@unitedspinal.org.
Advocates rejoice! While there is much more advocacy needed, your hard work, thus far, has in deed created a shift in the Medicaid budget. More and more budget dollars are being directed towards long term care in the community rather than in nursing homes. Nationally, in 1993, just 16% of the Medicaid budget went towards community care. In 2005, that percentage nearly doubled, with 31.5% of the budget going to community-based services. Steve Gold, a leading disability advocate, believes without a doubt that "these changes are the direct result of local advocates pressuring their Governors, Legislatures and Medicaid officials to "Free Our People." We must not sit back, but increase our efforts. Take a look at your own State's Medicaid budget data and determine how much progress your State has made. How does your State measure up to the national data. If your state is not up to snuff, contact your local legislators and ask them why. Data has been made available on the Clearinghouse for the Community Living Exchange Collaborative website at http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1636.
Disability Nation is a is an Internet based audio magazine/podcast by and for people with disabilities. A podcast is an audio file in MP3 format that can be subscribed to and is automatically delivered to your computer. The Disability Nation podcast is available free of charge and is published every two weeks with the goal of educating and informing the public about disability issues. Visit www.disabilitynation.net.
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars will once again offer internships to eligible students with disabilities interested in working in the executive, judicial or legislative branches of the federal government during the spring 2007 semester. The internship will help students develop leadership skills and gain valuable work experience in public service. The Washington Center will complement students' professional experience with solid academic training for credit from highly qualified instructors. In addition, students will be exposed to community, national and international leaders through workshops, seminars, lectures, embassy visits and networking events held throughout the course of each semester. Up to 50 students will receive a competitive scholarship award in the amount of $8,500.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Eligible Applicants Will:
Application Materials Include:
Applications are available online at www.twc.edu/students/how_to_apply.shtml. Please contact The Washington Center if you require the application in an alternate format. The application for the scholarship is the same as the regular application. Applications must be received by November 15, 2006. The semester will begin on January 18, 2007 and conclude on May 5, 2007. For more information, visit the Center's website or call (800) 486-8921.
VSA Arts and Volkswagen of America is hosting an art competition, "Destination Anywhere", for young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, living within the U.S. Fifteen finalists will be awarded a total of $60,000 during an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill and artwork will be displayed in a nation-wide touring exhibit that will debut at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Artwork may illustrate a destination, a place where the viewer might take a trip they never expected. Abstract work that relates to feelings or emotions, or an experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming the destination is also encouraged. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last 3 years. Eligible media includes: paintings, drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer generated prints, and mixed media. Artwork must be presented in two dimensions and should not exceed 60 inches in either direction. There is no fee to apply.
For additional information and entry instructions, visit the VSA website at www.vsarts.org/VWcall or contact Jennifer Colaguori, Visual Arts Coordinator, at jenniferc@vsarts.org or (800) 933-8721 ext. 3885.
Through the Looking Glass (TLG) has developed a 2006 College Scholarship Fund specifically for graduating high school seniors who have parents with disabilities. Up to ten $1,000 awards will be given out in Summer 2006 to students pursuing a post-secondary college or university degree program in the U.S. More specifically, scholarship funds are available to graduating high school students who:
To apply, students must return, no later than May 1, 2006:
A panel of parents with disabilities, advocates and professionals will evaluate these applications and determine the award winners. Awards will be announced August 2006 and will be published on the TLG website. To learn more, visit the TLG website at http://lookingglass.org/scholarships/ or call (800) 644-2666 (Voice).
Work Smarter Now, in collaboration with KindTree Productions, is extending an invitation to individuals in the Autism Community to submit their works of art to be displayed on a dedicated web page. KindTree Productions is dedicated to serving and celebrating the Autism Community through art, education, and recreation.
Autistic artists may contribute a digital image of their artwork and send it by email to Art@KindTree.org. Be certain to include the artist's name, age, address, a short biography (no more than 200 words), the title of the piece submitted, and a two sentence description (optional). Please include parent's name and contact information for younger artists. Works may include paintings, photography, poetry, sculpture, weaving, or any other artistic renderings that can be photographed and sent in a digital format.
As part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act Of 2003, the U.S. Congress created the Citizens' Health Care Working Group. The sole purpose of the group is to provide a means for a nationwide public debate about improving the health care system to provide every American with the ability to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts on the issue of health care. Community meetings are being held across America throughout the spring. Your opinions will help form a citizens’ action plan for the President and Congress to consider as they work to make health care work for all Americans. To learn of the meetings scheduled for your area, visit www.citizenshealthcare.gov/. If you are unable to attend the meetings you can also share your thoughts via their online polls. The polls are available on their website at www.citizenshealthcare.gov/speak_out/comment.php.
Right now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering whether Medicare should create a new coverage category for the "Interactive Balancing Mobility Systems," commonly known as the "iBOT 4000." Unlike standard power wheelchairs, the iBOT® 4000 Mobility System can power across sand, gravel, grass and other uneven terrain, climb stairs with or without assistance, go up or down curbs as high as 5”, or easily rise to an “eye-level” position. The manufacturer of the iBOT 4000 is hosting Demo events throughout the United States in March and April. If you would like to attend the Demo in your area, visit the Independence Now website at www.independencenow.com/ibot/testdrive.html.
UPDATE: In early May, Medicare denied coverage of the iBOT Mobility System
People with Disabilities across the Nation will now have greater choice when it comes to their long term care needs. After lingering for some time, Money Follows the Person was finally passed. This legislation will help the several hundred thousand people who want to move out of nursing homes and other institutions instead receive services in the community. States can apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) for a federal match to offer payment for community services rather than institutional care. Be certain to encourage your Governor and state legislature to take full advantage of this initiative and to apply with CMS as soon as possible!
As part of their new "12 Months of Preparedness Outreach, Awareness, and Education Series," The N.O.D.'s Emergency Preparedness Initiative has released an "Interactive Map of Disability & Emergency Preparedness Resources." This unique tool provides an accessible, interactive clearinghouse directory of regional, state, and local disability-related emergency management resources. More specifically, the map contains information on regional branches of FEMA and ADA&IT Technical Assistance Centers, Governor's websites and state disability resource agencies, a directory of ILCs and SILCs by state, state Citizen Corps and American Red Cross Chapters, as well as links to State and local Emergency Management Agencies. To access this resource, visit www.nod.org/EPIResources/interactive_map.html.
Since the launch of the new prescription drug plan provided under Medicare Part D on January 1, 2006 it has been discovered that many people who used to receive drugs and medical supplies under both Medicare and Medicaid are having trouble getting their drugs under the new Part D plan. Some of the issues that have been discovered are that drugs are not covered under Part D, people are over paying for their drugs, and that people don't know which plan they are in. If you have run into difficulty with the new plan, help is available. If you are having trouble getting prescriptions covered, you can call the Disability Drug Benefit Helpline at (800) 926-4862. If you do not know what plan you have or wish to learn what plan should cover your prescriptions, contact your Local Medicare Office.
The Medicare Rights Center is working to eliminate the Medicare coverage waiting period and has recently embarked on a national media project to bring the issue to light. Their goal is to raise awareness of the lasting damage caused by the 24-month waiting period by recording the personal experiences of individuals who:
The General Services Administration (GSA), in accordance with the revised Accessibiltiy Guidelines issued by the United State Access Board, has adopted new accessibility standards for federally funded facilities. The adopted standards will apply to a wide range of new or altered buildings under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) (http://www.access-board.gov/about/laws/ABA.htm), which ensures access to facilities designed, built, altered or leased with Federal money. The new standards will take effect after May 8, 2006, replacing the existing standards, known as the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). To learn more about these new standards, visit the Accessibility Guidelines Homepage at www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/index.htm.
On February 1, 2006. The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Budget Reconciliation Conference Report, which includes almost $40 billion in cuts over five years in entitlement programs and services, such as Medicaid, TANF, SSI and others. The time is NOW to contact your house representatives to request a meeting.
Many Members are now back in their Congressional Districts meeting with constituents and others on a range of issues. Contact the Member's district office scheduler and request an immediate meeting with the Member. If that is not possible, meet with the District Office Chief of Staff. The subject of this meeting should be the Budget Reconciliation Conference Report and its impact on people with disabilities. Attached is a list of the Members of the House of Representatives.
What should I say? Suggested Talking Points
Attached is a detailed outline and talking points about why this conference report is truly harmful for people with disabilities. These talking points should guide you and other advocates in your community through in-person meetings and discussions, phone conversations, questions, etc. about the impact the Budget Reconciliation Conference Report on our constituencies.
Home and Community Services
Section 6086 of the conference report sets back efforts to provide community services to people with disabilities. The conference report would give states unprecedented leeway in limiting services to people in community-based settings.
Section 6086 has some provisions of a good bill, S. 1602, introduced by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) with the support of the disability community.
Overall, the good provisions are far outweighed by the new state flexibility provisions included in Section 6086 of the conference report. In fact, it will undermine the home and community services program as well as other services in Medicaid.
Cost Sharing
The Budget Reconciliation Conference Report contains new Medicaid beneficiary cost sharing provisions that will likely result in many beneficiaries forgoing health care, because they have no money to pay for their share of the cost.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Title VII Subtitle A
The Budget Reconciliation Conference Report reauthorizes TANF with onerous work requirements that make it almost impossible for TANF recipients with disabilities or those caring for family members with disabilities to meet these requirements.
Budget Reconciliation House Targets
ARKANSAS - Boozman; NEW JERSEY - Smith, LoBiondo, Saxton; CALIFORNIA - Bono; CONNECTICUT - Johnson, Shays, Simmons; DELAWARE - Castle; FLORIDA - L. Diaz-Balart, Foley, Ros-Lehtinen, Brown-Waite; GEORGIA - Gingrey; IDAHO - Otter, Simpson; ILLINOIS - Johnson, Shimkus; INDIANA - Buyer; IOWA - Leach; MARYLAND - Gilchrest; MICHIGAN - Ehlers, McCotter, Miller, Schwarz, Upton; MINNESOTA - Ramstad, Gutknect; MISSOURI - Emerson; MONTANA - Rehberg; NEW MEXICO - Wilson; NEW YORK - McHugh Sweeney, Boelhert, Fossella, Kelly, Kuhl, Walsh; NORTH CAROLINA - Jones, Hayes, Coble; OHIO - LaTourette, Ney, Gillmor, Regula; PENNSYLVANIA - Gerlach, Dent, Pitzpatrick (2), Platts, Weldon; TEXAS - Paul; VIRGINIA - J.A. Davis, T. Davis; WASHINGTON - Reichert; WEST VIRGINIA - Capito; WISCONSIN - Green
For the fourth consecutive summer, Microsoft Corporation and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is offering a summer internship program to college and university students with disabilities interested in careers in information technology. Ten students with disabilities will be selected for this exclusive opportunity to participate in an eleven week I.T. internship at a federal agency in Washington, D.C. Selected participants will receive a $2,500 stipend to be disbursed in three installments throughout the internship period. Transportation expenses to and from Washington, D.C. will be reimbursed by AAPD. Accessible housing will also be provided, free-of-charge, to each intern. Academic credit may be arranged; students must initiate this process. To apply, you must submit an application, including the following items:
Completed applications must be received by January 13, 2006. For more information, visit the AAPD website at www.aapd.com/internships/federal/federal06/MS-AAPDinternInfo06.htm or contact AAPD at (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY).
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