April 24, 2008
www.nationnews.com
BARBADOS COUNCIL FOR THE DISABLED: Historic Treaty on Rights of Disabled
A HISTORIC MILESTONE was recently achieved for people with disabilities.
The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) entered another phase of human rights security when it was adopted on December 13, 2006 by the UN. The CRPD touches the lives of over ten per cent of the world's population and countless others whose lives are in any way impacted on by disabilities.
On March 30, 2007, the convention was open to signatories and Jamaica became the first country in our region not only to sign but to ratify both the convention and its optional protocol. Barbados signed the convention towards the end of July, but is yet to sign the optional protocol or ratify the CRPD.
The optional protocol relates to how individuals or groups can seek redress for violations of the CRPD once national remedies are exhausted. To date, 126 countries have signed the convention, 71 have signed the Optional Protocol, 20 states have ratified the treaty and 13 states have ratified the protocol.
In almost record breaking time, the convention reached the requisite number of ratifications to bring it to global effect. With the ratification of Ecuador on the April 3, the convention will enter into force in 30 days on May 3.
A worldwide feeling of great triumph touched all persons and organization who work in the field of disabilities.
April 1, 2008
www.azcentral.com
FEMA Grant Would Register Disabled Residents
In the event of a disaster, Surprise city and fire officials want the city's most at-risk population well cared for.
That part of the community includes the mentally and physically disabled. The city hopes to achieve its goal with a $25,000 grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The city accepted an Assistance to Firefighters grant at last week's City Council meeting.The money will be used to "identify home hazards that may delay the evacuation process for families with special-needs members and provide home-safety inspections," city documents say.
According to Surprise Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Pool, about 30 percent of the city's population has a type of disability. The national average is 20 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.Pool said the grant will go mainly to creating a registry of disabled residents so emergency responders can readily locate them during an evacuation.
October 10, 2007
www.cnnmoney.com
World Institute on Disability and American Red Cross Partner to Provide Innovative Training to Better Assist Those With Disabilities
The World Institute on Disability and the American Red Cross announced Wednesday (Oct. 10) the creation of an innovative national training, awareness and action program to help Red Cross staff and volunteers better serve people with disabilities during disasters.
The program will be funded through a $300,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation.
"The American Red Cross is committed to providing the best service possible by constantly learning and building on its over 100 years of providing disaster relief," said Harold Brooks, chief executive officer of the organization's Bay Area Chapter.
"The American Red Cross trains staff and volunteers to respond to almost 75,000 disasters annually. This grant from Verizon is much appreciated and will help people with disabilities through this collaboration with the World Institute on Disability," Brooks said.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross saw a need to improve outreach and response to vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, children and low-income communities.
October 1, 2007
www.nod.org
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is the foundation for continued efforts to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment as well as to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Enacted by Congress in 1945 as National “Employ the Physically Handicapped Week”, this name and the duration of observation were later changed, and we now recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month during October of each year.
September 26, 2007
www.nod.org
Sen. Bingaman Introduces Three Bills to Strengthen Medicare
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced three separate measures aimed at strengthening Medicare - the health care program that serves older Americans and those with significant disabilities.
The first bill, called "Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Act of 2007," would phase out the two-year period that disabled people currently must wait before they receive Medicare benefits. Currently, a person who is eligible for Medicare because of a disability must wait 24-month before receiving Medicare benefits.
Bingaman's legislation phases the 24-month waiting period out over 10 years. As it is phased out, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be able to waive the waiting period for people with life-threatening illnesses.
According to an April 2007 report from the Commonwealth Fund, it is estimated that over 1.5 million disabled beneficiaries are in the Medicare waiting period at any given time, "all of whom are unable to work because of their disability and most of whom have serious health problems, low incomes, and limited access to health insurance." Nearly 39 percent of these individuals do not have health insurance coverage for some point during the waiting period and 26 percent have no health insurance during this period.
"Of the estimated 400,000 uninsured disabled Americans in the waiting period at any given time, 16,000 of them will die awaiting Medicare coverage. Why are we denying Medicare coverage to those who need it most? It just doesn't make sense," Bingaman said.
September 13, 2007
www.fema.gov
Accommodating People With Disabilities In Disasters: A Reference Guide To Federal Law
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a new reference guide that outlines existing legal requirements and standards relating to access for people with disabilities. A Reference Guide for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing and Human Services is the first of a series of disability-related guidelines to be produced by FEMA for disaster preparedness and response planners and service providers at all levels.
"Federal law is very clear about accommodating people with disabilities in emergencies and disasters. Everyone involved in emergency management needs to understand and know what their responsibilities are in preparedness, response and recovery operations," FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said. "This Reference Guide is an important tool for emergency planners, responders and government agencies as they work toward meeting the needs of people affected by emergencies and disasters. FEMA is committed to ensuring that its programs and emergency operations meet the needs of people with disabilities."
September 12, 2007
www.ready.gov
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. National Preparedness Month 2007 is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.
August 29, 2007
www.nod.org
Sayville Complex Hit with Fair Housing Lawsuit
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Sayville Commons adult housing complex is violating the Fair Housing Act by not providing proper accessibility to those with disabilities, government officials said yesterday.
Areas of Sayville Commons have doors on ground floor units that are not wide enough to allow passage by wheelchair users, and have ground floor units with kitchens and bathrooms that are not usable by people in wheelchairs, according to the government.
"Persons with disabilities and those who are confined to wheelchairs are entitled to the protections of the Fair Housing Act, including readily accessible common and public area, access into and through their units and usable facilities," U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf said in a statement.
July 25, 2007
www.nod.org
Chicago Accepts National Organization on Disability's $10,000 Accessible America Award
On July 25, 2007, Chicago, Illinois was honored as the runner up in the National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) Accessible America Competition. All U.S. counties, cities and towns were eligible to enter the Competition. In a noon ceremony at Chicago’s Navy Pier, as part of the city’s Access Chicago ADA Anniversary Celebration, Karen Tamley, the Commissioner of Mayor Daley’s Office for People with Disabilities, accepted the $10,000 Accessible America prize from NOD President Michael Deland. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. sponsored the Award.
May 9, 2007
www.nod.org
Homeland Security Act Authorizes NOD's Emergency Preparedness Initiative
The House of Representatives today voted to include an amendment, offered by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), in H.R. 1684—Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The Langevin Amendment directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Disability Coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security to enter a cooperative agreement with the National Organization on Disability (NOD) to carry out its Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI).
"As we take steps to make our nation a safer place, it is critical to keep in mind that if we neglect issues of accessibility and inclusion in our planning, the problems that surface later will be more complicated, more expensive, and in some cases will cost people their lives," said Langevin, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and member of the Homeland Security Committee. "After the September 11 attacks, NOD showed tremendous leadership by launching the Emergency Preparedness Initiative, and passage of this amendment will ensure this critical program continues. This is an excellent example of private industry and the federal government working together."
April 6, 2007
www.ncd.gov
National Council on Disability Explores Emerging Technology Trends and Provides Strategies for Change
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released Over the Horizon: Potential Impact of Emerging Trends in Information and Communication Technology on Disability Policy and Practice, a policy paper that explores key trends in information and communication technology, highlights the potential opportunities and problems these trends present for people with disabilities, and suggests some strategies to maximize opportunities and avoid potential problems and barriers.
The technologies used in information and communication products are advancing at an ever increasing rate. Devices are getting smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more capable. Electronics are being incorporated into practically everything, making a wide variety of products programmable, and thus more flexible. Computing power is increasing exponentially.
March 22, 2007
www.ncd.gov
National Council on Disability: The Current State of Health Care for Americans with Disabilities
Prerelease Notice:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency charged with making recommendations to Congress and the Administration on issues, policies, and laws affecting people with disabilities. It is NCD's mission to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. NCD is responsible for gathering information about the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In the course of monitoring the impact of the ADA, NCD has learned that Americans with disabilities do not have equal access to quality health care and health promotion services, due in part to a lack of ADA implementation and enforcement in health care facilities, as well as to inadequate access to health insurance, deficiencies in health care coverage, and inadequate training of health care professionals.
February 26, 2007
www.ncd.gov
National Council on Disability Speaks Out on Supreme Court Winkleman v. Parma City School District Case
National Council on Disability (NCD) chairperson John R. Vaughn today released the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court oral argument, which will be heard on February 27, on whether parents may, without a lawyer (pro se), file a lawsuit to enforce their child’s rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The case of Winkleman v. Parma City School District (No. 05-983) addresses a split among circuit courts, one circuit deciding that there are no limitations on the parents’ ability to prosecute pro se an IDEA case in federal court, several circuits ruling that under IDEA parents can only represent pro se their own interests and not those of their child, and the Sixth Circuit said in Winkleman that parents cannot represent themselves or their kids in court under IDEA.
December 29, 2006
www.ncd.gov
National Council on Disability Calls for Federal Legislation to Prohibit Telecommunications Discrimination for People with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a policy paper calling on Congress and the Administration to end telecommunications and information services discrimination for people with disabilities.
The Need for Federal Legislation and Regulation Prohibiting Telecommunications and Information Services Discrimination (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2006/discrimination.htm) explores the need to adopt legislative and regulatory safeguards to guarantee equal access by people with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and Internet-based technologies. Experience shows that as these technological innovations stake their claim in American society, market forces will not be sufficient to ensure such access. Rather, Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and other federal agencies will need to step up to ensure that these communications technologies remain accessible to and usable by all Americans with disabilities.
August 3, 2006
www.usnewswire.com
National Council on Disability Makes Recommendations to Improve Emergency Preparedness, Response Plans for People With Disabilities
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," a guide for the President, Congress and other emergency planners to develop inclusive emergency preparedness and response plans.
According to NCD Chairperson Lex Frieden, "Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the lives of many people who lived in the Gulf Coast region. Fortunately, millions of Americans opened their homes and their hearts to hurricane survivors while local, state, and federal government employees worked around the clock to evacuate and rescue people. With almost a year since the Hurricanes made landfall and wreaked havoc on the lives of many, we now have a clearer understanding of what went right, as well as what went wrong, with the response and recovery efforts."
June 8, 2006
www.todaysthv.com
Study: Schools Not Prepared Enough For Emergencies
A new study shows when it comes to emergencies, a large number of schools across the country, including Arkansas schools, are unprepared. The study by UAMS and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute says many public school districts fall short in their emergency response plans.
Researchers talked to more than 3,600 school superintendents across the country and found that about 86 percent of the school districts surveyed do have a mass casualty response plan. However, researchers also wanted to know what schools are doing to prevent disaster, and only 57.2 percent have a written plan for that. An estimated 53 million children in the U.S. are in schools each weekday. Dr. James Graham says they aren't as safe as they could be.
May 23, 2006
www.usnewswire.com
AARP Report Highlights Ways to Protect Older Americans in Disasters; 13 Million Americans Over 50 Anticipate Needing Evacuation Assistance
About 18 percent of Americans in 2002 said they had a disability, and 12 percent had a severe disability, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Among people with disabilities, more than half of those 21 to 64 years old had a job, more than 4-in-10 of those ages 15 to 64 used a computer at home and a quarter of those age 25 to 64 had a college degree.
"The demographic snapshots contained in this report help planners and decision-makers assess the needs of this important segment of our population," said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. Americans with Disabilities: 2002 was compiled from the Survey of Income and Program Participation.
Approximately 51.2 million people said they had a disability; for 32.5 million of them, the disability was severe.
May 12, 2006
www.usnewswire.com
Census Bureau Report: More Than 50 Million Americans Report Some Level of Disability
About 18 percent of Americans in 2002 said they had a disability, and 12 percent had a severe disability, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Among people with disabilities, more than half of those 21 to 64 years old had a job, more than 4-in-10 of those ages 15 to 64 used a computer at home and a quarter of those age 25 to 64 had a college degree.
"The demographic snapshots contained in this report help planners and decision-makers assess the needs of this important segment of our population," said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. Americans with Disabilities: 2002 was compiled from the Survey of Income and Program Participation.
Approximately 51.2 million people said they had a disability; for 32.5 million of them, the disability was severe.
March 14, 2006
www.jfanow.org
Kmart Settles Suit Over Access
Kmart Corp. agreed Monday to pay $13 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the retailer of ignoring federal regulations that govern access for disabled customers.The settlement, if it wins a judge's approval, would be the largest ever under terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Kmart also agreed to spend as much as $70 million in the next eight years to bring stores around the country into compliance with federal standards for merchandise placement, counters, restrooms, fitting rooms and parking lots.
February 5, 2006
www.cnn.com
Supreme Court rules disabled prisoners can sue under ADA
In a major victory for disabled Americans, the Supreme Court Monday ruled they deserve equal access and accommodation at government buildings, such as courthouses and schools, in all states.
February 04, 2006
The Seattle Post Intelligencer
Critics balk at bills for troubled adults developmentally disabled's rights neglected
Advocates are pressing to toughen proposed legislation safeguarding the civil rights of troubled developmentally disabled adults in the state-funded Community Protection Program. Support for the bill eroded when a second draft failed to include a state ombudsman for developmentally disabled citizens, dropped fines for private contractors that provide substandard care and did not provide legal or other expert help for clients who want to fight placement in the restrictive program. "We're very disappointed," said David Carlson, an attorney with the federally funded Washington Protection and Advocacy System in Seattle.
January 11, 2006
United States Department of Justice
Federal court orders AMC movie theater chain to improve wheelchair seating at AMC Theaters nationwide
The Department of Justice announced today that it will require the holding companies for AMC Entertainment and Loews Cineplex Entertainment Marquee Holdings Inc. and LCE Holdings Inc., respectively-- to divest certain movie theater assets in order to proceed with their proposed multi-billion dollar merger. The Department said that the transaction, as originally proposed, would have eliminated head-to-head competition between AMC and Loews and likely would have resulted in higher prices for tickets to first-run, commercial movies in sections of five major American cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and Seattle.
December 29 , 2005
National Organization on Disability Survey
Workplace Preparedness of People with Disabilities Down - Personal Preparedness on the Rise
This new survey goes on to report a marked decrease in workplace preparedness for people with disabilities. Survey results reveal that 57% of people with disabilities indicate that they have a workplace plan, a figure that is down from 68% in 2003. “This may not be as bad as it appears” stated Hilary Styron, Director of N.O.D.’s EPI, “Immediately after 9/11 there was a major focus on development of workplace emergency plans for all employees. The decrease we see now may be attributed to fewer training opportunities provided in the workplace, limited-focus planning or lack of communication among emergency planners or task forces within a facility. Workplace emergency planning, just like community emergency planning is an on-going process that must include the active participation of people with disabilities.”
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