THEN: ADA Signing Ceremony This video documents the speech given by President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. In the video, President Bush speaks to a huge audience of activists, Congressional supporters, people with disabilities, and their families and friends gathered on the south lawn of the White House.
NOW: Road To Freedom is "Keeping the Promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act." The Road to Freedom is a yearlong, 50-State bus tour and photographic exhibit chronicling the history of the grassroots "people's movement" leading to passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). "We are touring the United States to tell the story of the struggle for disability rights, past and present, and to promote educational and economic opportunity for children and adults with physical, mental, cognitive, sensory and developmental disabilities."
TODAY: ADA Anniversary Celebration and Reception
THE FUTURE: ADA Restoration Act 2007. AAPD has been working with a broad coalition of disability organizations who have helped Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) draft the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, which would enable Americans with disabilities utilizing the ADA to focus on the discrimination that they have experienced rather than having to first prove that they fall within the scope of the ADA's protection.
All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is Atlanta's preeminent resource on developmental disabilities, providing support services to families for more than 55 years. We are often the one place where people with developmental disabilities can go to achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation. AADD provides family support; public policy and advocacy; and community engagement.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Department of Justice Police Training Videos
Police Response to People with Disabilities, Eight-Part Series - Designed for use in roll-call training, this videotape addresses law enforcement situations involving people who have mobility disabilities, mental illnesses, mental retardation, epilepsy or seizure disorders, speech disabilities, deafness or hard of hearing, and blindness or low vision. The eight segments range from 5 ½ to 10 ½ minutes in length.
Ten Small Business Mistakes
This thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities. The video features statements by store owners expressing their doubts or misunderstandings about the ADA followed by responses from the Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights and other Department of Justice employees explaining the law in common sense terms.
ADA Signing Ceremony
This video documents the speech given by President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. In the video, President Bush speaks to a huge audience of activists, Congressional supporters, people with disabilities, and their families and friends gathered on the south lawn of the White House.
The 22-minute film, provided to the Department by the George Bush Presidential Library, is being re-released on the Internet to increase awareness of the ADA.
Your thoughts? Please feel free to provide comments.
Ten Small Business Mistakes
This thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities. The video features statements by store owners expressing their doubts or misunderstandings about the ADA followed by responses from the Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights and other Department of Justice employees explaining the law in common sense terms.
ADA Signing Ceremony
This video documents the speech given by President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. In the video, President Bush speaks to a huge audience of activists, Congressional supporters, people with disabilities, and their families and friends gathered on the south lawn of the White House.
The 22-minute film, provided to the Department by the George Bush Presidential Library, is being re-released on the Internet to increase awareness of the ADA.
Your thoughts? Please feel free to provide comments.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Working with NAMI to Educate Police Officers About Developmental Disabilities
In conjunction with the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI), AADD has been participating in training police officers regarding issues related to Developmental Disabilities. The CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training presents police officers with information about developmental disabilities and describes ways to effectively interact with people with varying exceptionalities.
The trainings describe the challenges that police officers often face and the challenges a person with a developmental disability could face.
We recently had some 'Partners in Policymaking' graduates join the team. We welcome our new trainers and look forward to working with them. (Pictured above: Dave Blanchard, AADD; Ann Coggins, Partner's Graduate; Rita Young, AADD; And Partner's Graduates: Stacey Ramirez, Dee Triemer, Karen Kolacinski, Vickie Martin, Susan Farner.)
If you would like more information regarding this program, email Emily.
Monday Blog Round up
Self-Determination: A Fundamental Ingredient of Employment Support Institute for Community InclusionTools for Inclusion - Issue #22
Lora Brugnaro & Jaimie Ciulla Timmons
Self-determination is the process of defining one's own direction. To achieve a successful employment outcome, it is important that the job seeker actively drives and controls his or her own job search. Job seekers should participate actively in all job search activities-from determining their interests and career goals to starting a new job. Moreover, job seeker self-determination should help drive the way that employment services are offered, coordinated, and funded. This brief examines self-determination in the employment process and suggests strategies for employment professionals to apply these principles in their work.
Click here for the entire article.
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Celebrates ADA Anniversary With Release of Social Security Beneficiary Recommendations on Employment
WHEN: Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time
WHERE: 902 Hart Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill
CONTACT: Jill Houghton, 202-358-6419/202-957-3268
On July, 26, 2007, the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel is holding a news conference to release a report, "Voices for Change: Beneficiaries Paving the Way to Work, A Roadmap to Program Improvement." The report documents recommendations it received from beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The recommendations were made at a beneficiary summit held earlier this year in Atlanta, Georgia.
The message from those beneficiaries: We want to work!
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are 13,779,000 working-age individuals with disabilities in the U.S. who are not employed, of whom 6,927,000 (or 50%) report receiving SSI and/or SSDI. Right now, these programs require people to prove they cannot work before they can receive assistance, and the rules set up an all-or-nothing scenario for some, where working at their full capacity would cause them to lose their health insurance and personal care assistance. At a time when the solvency of Social Security is in question, the recommendations focus on what steps, as seen through the eyes of beneficiaries, the nation could take to encourage people with disabilities to attempt work and to reduce their reliance on Social Security benefits.
Congress noted when it passed the 1999 Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, "[I]f only an additional one-half of one percent of the current [SSDI] and [SSI] recipients were to cease receiving benefits as a result of employment, the savings to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Treasury in cash assistance would total [$3.5 billion] over the work life of such individuals, far exceeding the cost of providing incentives and services needed to assist them in entering work and achieving financial independence to the best their abilities."
The summit brought together one beneficiary with a disability from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The news conference will be conducted with Panel members and summit attendees. There will be opportunities for photos and interviews after the event.
Employment News & Events Update: Funding to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities
DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced the availability of up to $2.35 million to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities. Application deadline is August 20, 2007. The full announcement may be downloaded. Click here.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Click here.
Lora Brugnaro & Jaimie Ciulla Timmons
Self-determination is the process of defining one's own direction. To achieve a successful employment outcome, it is important that the job seeker actively drives and controls his or her own job search. Job seekers should participate actively in all job search activities-from determining their interests and career goals to starting a new job. Moreover, job seeker self-determination should help drive the way that employment services are offered, coordinated, and funded. This brief examines self-determination in the employment process and suggests strategies for employment professionals to apply these principles in their work.
Click here for the entire article.
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Celebrates ADA Anniversary With Release of Social Security Beneficiary Recommendations on Employment
WHEN: Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 9:30 AM Eastern Time
WHERE: 902 Hart Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill
CONTACT: Jill Houghton, 202-358-6419/202-957-3268
On July, 26, 2007, the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel is holding a news conference to release a report, "Voices for Change: Beneficiaries Paving the Way to Work, A Roadmap to Program Improvement." The report documents recommendations it received from beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The recommendations were made at a beneficiary summit held earlier this year in Atlanta, Georgia.
The message from those beneficiaries: We want to work!
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are 13,779,000 working-age individuals with disabilities in the U.S. who are not employed, of whom 6,927,000 (or 50%) report receiving SSI and/or SSDI. Right now, these programs require people to prove they cannot work before they can receive assistance, and the rules set up an all-or-nothing scenario for some, where working at their full capacity would cause them to lose their health insurance and personal care assistance. At a time when the solvency of Social Security is in question, the recommendations focus on what steps, as seen through the eyes of beneficiaries, the nation could take to encourage people with disabilities to attempt work and to reduce their reliance on Social Security benefits.
Congress noted when it passed the 1999 Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, "[I]f only an additional one-half of one percent of the current [SSDI] and [SSI] recipients were to cease receiving benefits as a result of employment, the savings to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Treasury in cash assistance would total [$3.5 billion] over the work life of such individuals, far exceeding the cost of providing incentives and services needed to assist them in entering work and achieving financial independence to the best their abilities."
The summit brought together one beneficiary with a disability from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The news conference will be conducted with Panel members and summit attendees. There will be opportunities for photos and interviews after the event.
Employment News & Events Update: Funding to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities
DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced the availability of up to $2.35 million to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities. Application deadline is August 20, 2007. The full announcement may be downloaded. Click here.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Click here.
Dear Parents,
As a parent, I want to make everyone aware of a recent bill that passed in the General Assembly this year. This bill, Senate Bill 72 is designed to increase parent participation and input at your child’s school.
• All Georgia public schools are required to have a local school council.
• The school council at your child’s school is an advisory body to the principal and where appropriate, to the local board of education and to the superintendent.
• Although an advisory only body, the local school board is charged with considering the council’s recommendations and with responding to the council’s written recommendations.
• The school council is charged to “act as a link between the school and the community and to encourage the participation of parents”.
• The council may provide advice on any matter relating to student achievement and school improvement including topics such as the school’s budget, school improvement plans, school board policies, facilities and on how to involve parents.
• Senate Bill 72 requires that the majority of the members of the school council be PARENTS.
• Senate Bill 72 requires that the chairperson of the school council be a PARENT.
• Senate Bill 72 assures that a majority of the council members are not employees of the school.
• Senate Bill 72 went into effect on July 1, 2007. Due to this new law, there will likely be an opening on many school councils.
It is so important that someone on the school council of every school be knowledgeable regarding the issues affecting special needs children attending that school. If you are interested in being part of your child’s school council, you can contact your child’s school council for information regarding how the members are chosen.
For more information, click here.
Please pass this information on to other families that may be interested in this new law. Thank you.
Karen Kolacinski
Partners in Policymaking
As a parent, I want to make everyone aware of a recent bill that passed in the General Assembly this year. This bill, Senate Bill 72 is designed to increase parent participation and input at your child’s school.
• All Georgia public schools are required to have a local school council.
• The school council at your child’s school is an advisory body to the principal and where appropriate, to the local board of education and to the superintendent.
• Although an advisory only body, the local school board is charged with considering the council’s recommendations and with responding to the council’s written recommendations.
• The school council is charged to “act as a link between the school and the community and to encourage the participation of parents”.
• The council may provide advice on any matter relating to student achievement and school improvement including topics such as the school’s budget, school improvement plans, school board policies, facilities and on how to involve parents.
• Senate Bill 72 requires that the majority of the members of the school council be PARENTS.
• Senate Bill 72 requires that the chairperson of the school council be a PARENT.
• Senate Bill 72 assures that a majority of the council members are not employees of the school.
• Senate Bill 72 went into effect on July 1, 2007. Due to this new law, there will likely be an opening on many school councils.
It is so important that someone on the school council of every school be knowledgeable regarding the issues affecting special needs children attending that school. If you are interested in being part of your child’s school council, you can contact your child’s school council for information regarding how the members are chosen.
For more information, click here.
Please pass this information on to other families that may be interested in this new law. Thank you.
Karen Kolacinski
Partners in Policymaking
Friday, July 20, 2007
Babies Can't Wait Early Intervention Public Hearing Announcement
The Babies Can't Wait (BCW) Program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. Babies Can't Wait provides a comprehensive, coordinated interagency system of early intervention services for children with developmental delays/disabilities ages birth to three years and their families.
The Georgia Department of Human Resource (DHR)Division of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency for administration of the BCW system. DHR has completed an examination of the Babies Can’t Wait system to make sure it is performing well and is sustainable. A Public Comment period will be held from June 18-August 20, 2007 in order to receive public input regarding proposed changes for the Georgia Babies Can't Wait system.
The proposed revisions to Babies Can't Wait Standards can be reviewed during the public comment period online and at a number of locations statewide. Comments may be made in writing, via email or facsimile, or at a Public Hearing. A schedule of public hearings is below or you may call 1-800-229-2038 to find out where you can review proposed revisions to Babies Can’t Wait Standards or to find the Public Hearing location nearest you.
Individuals requiring special accommodations in order to participate in a public hearing should contact Babies Can't Wait at 404-657-2721 or 1-888-651-8244 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing in which participation is desired.
Written, email, and facsimile comments will be received until August 20, 2007 and should be sent to:
Stephanie Moss, Part C Coordinator
2 Peachtree Street NW, #11-206
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
Email: skmoss@dhr.state.ga.us
Facsimile: (404) 657-2763
The Georgia Department of Human Resource (DHR)Division of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency for administration of the BCW system. DHR has completed an examination of the Babies Can’t Wait system to make sure it is performing well and is sustainable. A Public Comment period will be held from June 18-August 20, 2007 in order to receive public input regarding proposed changes for the Georgia Babies Can't Wait system.
The proposed revisions to Babies Can't Wait Standards can be reviewed during the public comment period online and at a number of locations statewide. Comments may be made in writing, via email or facsimile, or at a Public Hearing. A schedule of public hearings is below or you may call 1-800-229-2038 to find out where you can review proposed revisions to Babies Can’t Wait Standards or to find the Public Hearing location nearest you.
Individuals requiring special accommodations in order to participate in a public hearing should contact Babies Can't Wait at 404-657-2721 or 1-888-651-8244 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing in which participation is desired.
Written, email, and facsimile comments will be received until August 20, 2007 and should be sent to:
Stephanie Moss, Part C Coordinator
2 Peachtree Street NW, #11-206
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
Email: skmoss@dhr.state.ga.us
Facsimile: (404) 657-2763
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Participants needed: Kids ages 5 – 8 who like to draw!
Georgia Tech’s Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (CATEA) is looking for children ages 5 – 8 to participate in a research study on indoor play.
Play is an important part of growing, and necessary for physical and mental development in children. Some children with disabilities are not able to participate fully in play, and may, as a result, experience further developmental delay. This project focuses on indoor play by children and how environmental barriers may limit play and social interaction.
For this research, we are recruiting children with physical disabilities ages 5 to 8 years old. The research will take place for ½ hour to an hour. The children who participate in the study will be asked to draw pictures and describe how they like to play in indoors and choose pictures of favorite play activities from a larger group of pre-selected pictures.
All participants will be compensated for their participation.
For more information, please contact
Wooyoung Sung at 404-421-9322, or wsung3@mail.gatech.edu to schedule for participation.
Play is an important part of growing, and necessary for physical and mental development in children. Some children with disabilities are not able to participate fully in play, and may, as a result, experience further developmental delay. This project focuses on indoor play by children and how environmental barriers may limit play and social interaction.
For this research, we are recruiting children with physical disabilities ages 5 to 8 years old. The research will take place for ½ hour to an hour. The children who participate in the study will be asked to draw pictures and describe how they like to play in indoors and choose pictures of favorite play activities from a larger group of pre-selected pictures.
All participants will be compensated for their participation.
For more information, please contact
Wooyoung Sung at 404-421-9322, or wsung3@mail.gatech.edu to schedule for participation.
Participants Needed for Research Study at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (CATEA) is looking for people to participate in a computer workstation research study. This study will help researchers learn more about the performance, utility and comfort of fully-integrated, adjustable computer workstations. The goal of this study is to collect information that can be used in the design and development of a new computer workstation.
We are screening and recruiting up to 60 individuals, including individuals who experience chronic low back pain, to participate in this study. During the session, we will take some physical body measurements using standard measuring devices such as a measuring tape or caliper and ask participants to do typical computer-related tasks like typing, editing, data entry, reading and using a mouse. The activities will be recorded on video and audiotape for later analysis. After completing the tasks, we will ask participants their opinion of the experience.
Experience using computers and touch typing is necessary. Experience in heavy computer use environments including customer service, data entry, computer programming, media development, gaming, academic work and paralegal is desired. Both men and women are being recruited and minority participation is encouraged. Studies will take place at CATEA, on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The research session will last approximately 3 hours
• Participants will be compensated $50 per session
• Sessions scheduled for July 9th – August 3rd (excluding weekends)
If you are interested in this study and you fit the following characteristics, please contact us and refer to the Adjustable Supine Computer Workstation study:
• Have touch typing skills
• Average at least 10 hours of computer use per week
• Weigh less than 250 lbs
• Are between 18 – 65 years old
In addition, we are recruiting individuals with low back pain to participate in the study that fit the following criteria:
• Have chronic, recurring episodes of low-back pain or discomfort
• Experience low-back pain after 1 hour or less of sitting
• Do not have difficulty walking
For more information about the study please email:
Mr. Charlie Drummond at CATEA, or call:
(404) 894-4960 or (800) 726-9119 for voice/TTY
We are screening and recruiting up to 60 individuals, including individuals who experience chronic low back pain, to participate in this study. During the session, we will take some physical body measurements using standard measuring devices such as a measuring tape or caliper and ask participants to do typical computer-related tasks like typing, editing, data entry, reading and using a mouse. The activities will be recorded on video and audiotape for later analysis. After completing the tasks, we will ask participants their opinion of the experience.
Experience using computers and touch typing is necessary. Experience in heavy computer use environments including customer service, data entry, computer programming, media development, gaming, academic work and paralegal is desired. Both men and women are being recruited and minority participation is encouraged. Studies will take place at CATEA, on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The research session will last approximately 3 hours
• Participants will be compensated $50 per session
• Sessions scheduled for July 9th – August 3rd (excluding weekends)
If you are interested in this study and you fit the following characteristics, please contact us and refer to the Adjustable Supine Computer Workstation study:
• Have touch typing skills
• Average at least 10 hours of computer use per week
• Weigh less than 250 lbs
• Are between 18 – 65 years old
In addition, we are recruiting individuals with low back pain to participate in the study that fit the following criteria:
• Have chronic, recurring episodes of low-back pain or discomfort
• Experience low-back pain after 1 hour or less of sitting
• Do not have difficulty walking
For more information about the study please email:
Mr. Charlie Drummond at CATEA, or call:
(404) 894-4960 or (800) 726-9119 for voice/TTY
Press Release: Governor Perdue Announces June Revenue Figures
Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of June 2007 (FY07) totaled $1,681,040,000 compared to $ 1,570,584,000 for June 2006 (FY06), an increase of $ 110,456,000 or 7.0 percent.
The percentage increase for FY07 compared to FY06 is 7.5 percent.
Click to see the details:
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Comparative Net Revenue Collections
The percentage increase for FY07 compared to FY06 is 7.5 percent.
Click to see the details:
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Comparative Net Revenue Collections
Monday, July 09, 2007
Babies Can't Wait needs your input regarding Revisions of Program Standards
Babies Can't Wait (BCW) is Georgia's statewide interagency service delivery system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. BCW is established by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which guarantees all eligible children, regardless of their disability, access to services that will enhance their development. Additional information about IDEA and national efforts supporting the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the law is available through the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
You are invited to participate in the public comment process regarding proposed system changes. This will be a 60-day public comment period that will run from June 19, 2007 - August 20, 2007. The public may review the documents linked above or at locations throughout the state. You may provide comment by contacting:
Stephanie Moss, Part C Coordinator
2 Peachtree Street NW, #11-206
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
Email: skmoss@dhr.state.ga.us
Facsimile: (404) 657-2763
Written, email, and facsimile comments will be received until August 20
The schedule for In-Person verbal comments at a Public Hearing is to be announced.
You are invited to participate in the public comment process regarding proposed system changes. This will be a 60-day public comment period that will run from June 19, 2007 - August 20, 2007. The public may review the documents linked above or at locations throughout the state. You may provide comment by contacting:
Stephanie Moss, Part C Coordinator
2 Peachtree Street NW, #11-206
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3186
Email: skmoss@dhr.state.ga.us
Facsimile: (404) 657-2763
Written, email, and facsimile comments will be received until August 20
The schedule for In-Person verbal comments at a Public Hearing is to be announced.
A mother's view of a word that wounds: 'Retard'
- Opinion - USATODAY By Theresa Howard
Click here to read the entire article.
You are such a retard.
You've heard the expression. Sometimes it's preceded by an expletive, as in "you're such a f—-ing retard." Either way, with or without the curse word, it's a harsh statement. But one, it seems, that's become increasingly acceptable. So much so that in one recent week I kept track of how many times I heard it and who said it. I heard it daily — whether it was a colleague, a neighbor talking to his dog, an actor from a hit TV show during an interview with me, a top level advertising executive, young men playfully swapping insults or Tony Soprano to his son after a botched suicide attempt...
What's my fascination with the r-word? I take it very personally. And I'm not a person who is easily offended...
For as long as I can remember, I corrected people when they said the r-word. I flashed dirty looks to people who stared. I told parents to tell their child that it's not polite. Ever gregarious, Catherine [sister with down syndrome] would smile at strangers, many of whom would be so uncomfortable that they didn't know what to do. Even after Catherine passed away, I continued to correct people for a few years. Then I got tired. I no longer felt it was my battle.
Until...
Click here to read the entire article.
Monday Blog.
Unspent HOME Funds Returned to HUD:
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Click here for back issues of other Information Bulletins.
Resources for People with Disabilities Update: ABILITY House Program
NEW REPORT DOCUMENTS THE SEVERE HOUSING CRISIS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER LONG-TERM DISABILITIES IN AMERICA
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
In the past seven years, nearly $17 million dollars from the HOME Investment Partnership program was returned to HUD for failure of a participating jurisdiction to meet the statutory two-year commitment requirement. That is, each year HUD allocates HOME funds. Recipients, state and local participating jurisdictions, must commit how these funds will be actually spent within two years. If this requirement is not satisfied, the uncommitted HOME funds must be returned to HUD as and they are lost by the participating jurisdiction.Click here to read the jurisdictions and the amount of HOME funds lost.
As was explained in recent Information Bulletins, HOME funds can be used as Tenant Based Rental Assistance grants for low income persons. These are like housing vouchers. Given the desperate need for housing vouchers, it is quite amazing and depressing that the following jurisdictions, rather than allocate the funds as Tenant Based Rental Assistance, returned these HOME funds because the jurisdiction did not commit them to TBRA grants.
Click here for back issues of other Information Bulletins.
Resources for People with Disabilities Update: ABILITY House Program
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates, each ABILITY House is an accessible home built for a family where one or more members have health conditions or disabilities. The project also reaches out to volunteers, including veterans and students with disabilities, to help in building the homes.This information has recently been updated, and is now available - Click here.
NEW REPORT DOCUMENTS THE SEVERE HOUSING CRISIS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER LONG-TERM DISABILITIES IN AMERICA
The report is published by the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities, and is available to read and download. Click here.
Priced Out in 2006 documents the continued lack of affordable and accessible housing for people with long-term disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic illness, and mental illness. The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is at $715 and a studio/efficiency is at $633, and both are higher than the entire monthly income of people with disabilities who rely on the Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) program.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Information Sharing:
Click for a wide array of Recommended Books About the Disability Experience
Building Relationships: Parallels Between Infant-Toddler Development and the Public Policy Process
This article from the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center explores relationship-building in early childhood and in the world of policy and advocacy.
Rebalancing Long-Term Care: The Role of the Medicaid HCBS Waiver Program
The Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program is the major public financing mechanism for providing long-term care services in community settings. Authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, states have used HCBS waiver programs to serve a wide variety of populations, including seniors; people with physical disabilities, HIV/AIDS, mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI); and children who are medically fragile and/or technology-dependent (such as ventilator dependent due to paralysis). Under the waiver program, states are permitted to provide HCBS to individuals who require the level of care provided in institutional settings [that is, hospitals, nursing homes, or intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation (ICFs/MR)]. Because of the diversity of the populations served, as well as other factors such as unique state delivery systems, payment structures, and service models, it is difficult to generalize about the programs that have been implemented under the authority of section 1915(c).
Building Relationships: Parallels Between Infant-Toddler Development and the Public Policy Process
This article from the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center explores relationship-building in early childhood and in the world of policy and advocacy.
Rebalancing Long-Term Care: The Role of the Medicaid HCBS Waiver Program
The Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program is the major public financing mechanism for providing long-term care services in community settings. Authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, states have used HCBS waiver programs to serve a wide variety of populations, including seniors; people with physical disabilities, HIV/AIDS, mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI); and children who are medically fragile and/or technology-dependent (such as ventilator dependent due to paralysis). Under the waiver program, states are permitted to provide HCBS to individuals who require the level of care provided in institutional settings [that is, hospitals, nursing homes, or intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation (ICFs/MR)]. Because of the diversity of the populations served, as well as other factors such as unique state delivery systems, payment structures, and service models, it is difficult to generalize about the programs that have been implemented under the authority of section 1915(c).
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