News & Events

President Obama Signs Independent Living Centers Technical Adjustment Act into Law

H.R.5610, the Independent Living Centers Technical Adjustment Act, makes a technical adjustment to funding for independent living centers under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure stability and funding for independent living centers.  This law will ensure that independent living centers have enough funding to continue to provide services to people with disabilities. 

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Library of Congress Announces Renewal of Exemptions of Copyright Law for Types of Work That Would Allow Accessibility

The Library of Congress has renewed its exemption ruling of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. There are categories of exemptions that allow digital rights management technology to access copyright works. This renewal directly affects access to written and visual content in all types of copyright material for the blind and those with visual impairments. Most e-books devices are still not accessible with screen readers or other assistive technology.

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Sign the Spirit of the ADA Pledge!

The American Association of People with Disabilities is asking individuals and organizations to sign the Spirit of the ADA Pledge and promise to work in communities, workplaces, schools and places of worship to make a commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities and make the necessary accommodations and improvements to ensure accessibility for all. 

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Contest to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The National Disability Institute (NDI) has launched a nationwide video contest encouraging persons with disabilities and their families to capture their American Dream and how they are working to achieve it on video. One grand prize winner of the Defining the New American Dream video contest will receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, DC. Entries must be received by August 13, 2010. For more information read the contest guidelines.

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U.S. Department of Education (ED) Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for International Exchange of Knowledge & Experts in Disability & Rehabilitation Research

This notice provides information about ED's 2010 funding to improve services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that advance living independently and finding jobs for people with disabilities, especially minoritities who have severe disabilities. The Disability Rehabilitation Research Project is the priority for this funding. Application deadline is August 23, 2010.

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On 11th Anniversary of Olmstead, President Obama Highlights Administration's Actions to Promote Independence & Community Integration of Americans with Disabilities

Last year, on the 10th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Olmstead v. L.C., President Obama launched The Year of Community Living. As part of this initiative, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius created the Community Living Initiative to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies and support the Administration's commitment to addressing isolation and discrimination against people with disabilities. HHS awarded a $3.2 million contract to establish a Housing Capacity Building Initiative for Community Living to connect persons with disabilities to affordable housing in their communities. Also, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to state Medicaid directors about the extension of the Money Follows the Person Demonstration under the Affordable Care Act. For information about enforcement actions taken by the U.S. Department of Justice, read Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez' recent testimony.

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Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) & the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act

The IMLS is the primary federal source of support to over 140,000 museums and libraries nationwide. Learn how the IMLS is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ADA by increasing its efforts to use best practices information services for persons with disabilities. One example is the recent update to language accessibility in their 2011 Guide to Programs and Opportunities. This change resulted in more applications being received for accessibility-oriented applications for IMLS grants. Find out about the many new projects underway to improve accessibility and inclusion for all in library and museum services.

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White House Launches Celebration of 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, kicked off the President's and the White House's celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act while delivering remarks to over 2,000 people from around the world at the VSA International Festival at the Kennedy Center. In her remarks Ms. Jarrett noted the significance of this historic landmark civil rights legislation and highlighted some of the President's initiatives related to people with disabilities.

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Reinventing Quality 2010 - Doing Right by People in Challenging Times

This conference, to be held in Baltimore, Maryland from August 8-10, 2010, will provide information, new ideas and active discussions about person-centered planning, employment innovations, self advocacy and more for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Register for the conference online. A description of conference sessions can be downloaded in PDF format.

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2010 Webinar & Audio Conference Series on Accessibility

AccessibilityOnline, in collaboration with the ADA National Network (DBTACs) and the U.S. Access Board, is offering a series of free webinars and audio conferences on different accessibility topics. Sessions are held on a monthly basis and cover accessibility to the built environment, information and communication technologies and transportation. Check the schedule of upcoming trainings.

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Census 2010 - Toolkit for Reaching People with Disabilities

Accurate representation and funding are especially important to people with disabilities. Wthout an accurate count, important community services such as health care and transportation may not be adequately funded. This toolkit is intended as a resource for organizations that serve people with disabilities. It contains resources to support efforts in raising awareness of, and encouraging participation in, the 2010 Census.

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26th National Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference

The 2010 HCBS conference will take place from September 26-29, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. The conference will showcase innovative national, federal, state and local delivery and policy developments for assuring Americans of all ages and abilities receive the highest quality community living supports, care and services possible. Representatives from national, federal, state and local governments, as well as advocates for children, older adults and individuals with disabilities are expected to attend.

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