A scene of people with various disabilities gathered around a blue lake, enjoying their home, community, the out-of-doors, health, recreation, housing, transportation and education with an accessible path for them to a high mountain and large yellow sun on the horizon.  New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.


What's New?


Legislation: National


We encourage you to contact your Representatives and Senators to let them know how you feel about the legislation listed here. To locate your elected officials, visit the House of Representatives online at www.house.gov/ and the United States Senate at www.senate.gov/.

To learn more about the specific measures and bills outlined here, visit The Library of Congress' Thomas Online.

April 2009 - ACTION ALERT - Join the discussion on Health Reform

People with disabilities have a higher stake than any other single population in the United States when in comes to health reform. Make sure the needs of people with disabilities are considered as this administration works to reform our health care system. Visit www.healthreform.gov to read reports, watch videos of the regional health reform forums held this past March, and check out other American's points of view.

From the White House: Accomplishments for people with disabilities in first 75 days

A great deal has been accomplished by the Obama Administration thus far for Americans with disabilities...

As reported by the American Association of People with Disabilities

SIGNINGS

  • Signed SCHIP, which will provide insurance to millions of children, including children with disabilities
  • Signed stem cell Executive Order, which will open the door to potential cures for many disabilities
  • Signed Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which will, for the first time in history, bring together the best minds across the country to collaborate on research, rehabilitation and improvement of quality of life for people living with paralysis

    RECOVERY ACT

  • People with disabilities were included as never before in the recovery plan
  • Provided a one-time additional payment of $250 to people who receive Social Supplemental Income
  • Provided $500 million to the Social Security Administration to help reduce backlogs
  • Provided $87 billion in Medicaid funding for states
  • Provided $140 million in funding for independent living centers
  • Provided over $500 million in funding for vocational rehabilitation services to help with job training, education and placement
  • Provided $12 billion in funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    APPOINTMENTS

  • Appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy with responsibilities in the Domestic Policy Council and Office of Public Liaison for the first time in history
  • Appointed a Special Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Personnel to focus on disability appointments for the first time in history
  • Appointed a Senior Advisor on Disability Policy in the Domestic Policy Council for the first time in history.
  • Nominated a person with a disability, Kathy Martinez, to be Director of ODEP
  • Nominated Seth Harris, a long time disability advocate, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor
  • Nominated Tom Perez, a long-time supporter of the disability community, to head the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice

    For more on the topic of Legislation:

    Editorials / FAQ / Guides / Legislation and Rights / Court Decisions / News

    If you have questions or ideas, information and solutions that you would like to share with us, we can be reached on the Net at: horizons@new-horizons.org or to use our NHU E-Mail Form or NHU Community Discussion Board, click on the links below.
    Home  /  Disability News  /  NHU Quarterly Newsletter
    Share Your Knowledge!  /  NHU Community Discussion Board  /  E-mail Us
    About NHU  /  Announcements and Features  /  Contribute
    ©  Copyright 2009, New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.  
    [Updated May 31, 2009]
    NHU has no liability for content or goods on the Internet.