January
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Disability Connection
| In This Issue: | January 2010 |
Last summer Disability.gov introduced several new features to better communicate with, and hear from, the nearly quarter million visitors who come to the site each month. Disability.gov's Twitter, Suggest a Resource and blog have become key tools in fulfilling its mission - to connect people with disabilities and others to the information and resources they need to fully participate in the workplace and in their communities.
In the coming weeks, Disability.gov will introduce more new ways to connect and share information on the site. Visitors will soon be able to create a personal account that allows them to save searches on the topics that interest them most. Once an account is created, visitors will also be able to vote and comment on information on the site. Disability.gov's How to Use this Site section will be updated soon with information about these new features designed to make Disability.gov an even more useful resource for the disability community.
News & Events
A Call to Action: Training Event for Federal Hiring Officials
On Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Washington, DC, a training event will be held for federal human resource officials, hiring managers and other federal personnel to develop an improved process for hiring and retaining people with disabilities. To register for this event, federal personnel should email Michael.Aguenza.Ctr@tma.osd.mil with each participant's full name, title, agency, email address and any accommodation requests. The registration deadline is February 3, 2010.
This training event is one of several actions being taken in response to President Obama's pledge during National Disability Employment Awareness Month last October to step up efforts to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the federal government. In addition to the training, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) are collaborating with 50 other federal agencies to hold a hiring event for people with disabilities this spring in Washington, DC. This event will bring together federal agencies that have immediate hiring needs and will hire "on-the-spot."
More resources on recruiting and hiring people with disabilities in federal jobs are available in Disability.gov's Employment section.
Relief Efforts in Haiti
Since the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the United States has mobilized resources and people across many federal agencies to aid in the relief effort. At the direction of President Obama, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has the lead in this swift, aggressive and coordinated response. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) medical teams have seen more than 8,000 patients since they began providing care in Haiti, and medical supplies, support equipment and several teams have been deployed.
In addition to the federal response to the aftermath of the earthquake, many disability organizations have mobilized to respond to the needs of people with disabilities in Haiti. The Haiti Disability Disaster Response Community has been formed to facilitate the much needed delivery of durable medical equipment and other supplies to Haiti. In addition, the U.S. International Council on Disabilities (USICD) and Mobility International USA (MIUSA) offer updates on relief efforts in Haiti, particularly related to organizations and resources addressing the disability community.
For more information about U.S. relief efforts in Haiti visit the White House Web site and the Web site of the National Library of Medicine.
The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report, The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective that provides a comprehensive overview of the state of housing for people with disabilities today, answers important questions about current housing needs and options, and provides recommendations for improving housing opportunities. NCD also recently released a report addressing the shortage of qualified workers to meet the health, education, social services and other workforce needs people with disabilities.
For more information about housing opportunities for people with disabilities visit Disability.gov's Housing section.
Social Security Letters & Notices Available in Alternative Formats
As a result of a decision issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, beginning April 15, 2010 the Social Security Administration (SSA) will offer the option of receiving notices in Braille by first class mail or a Microsoft Word compact disc (CD). The CD may be used on a computer that has the software needed to access Word, but not in an audio CD player. Read more about the choices people who are blind or visually impaired have in how they receive information from SSA.
FCC Enforcement Advisory: Wireless Service Providers & Handset Manufacturers Advised to Review Compliance
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Enforcement Bureau has taken action against several companies for failing to provide information that helps individuals with hearing disabilities fully utilize wireless phone services and communicate effectively without excessive feedback and noise.
FCC rules require most digital wireless handset manufacturers and wireless service providers to make available a minimum number of hearing aid compatible handsets and ensure that consumers have access to up-to-date information on the availability of those handsets. These rules also require manufacturers and service providers to make periodic status reports and to post specific information on their public Web sites. The Enforcement Bureau proposed forfeitures totaling $87,000 against seven companies, and issued citations to two additional companies, for violating these reporting and posting requirements.
For more information about technology-related laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities visit Disability.gov's Technology section.
December Showed Decline in Unemployment among People with Disabilities
From November to December 2009 the unemployment rate among people with disabilities dropped from 14.1 percent to 13.8 percent. Beginning with the release of the January 2010 monthly data on February 5, 2010, information on the employment of persons by disability status will be included as part of the employment situation news release in Table A-6.
For more research and data relating to the employment of people with disabilities visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Research Web page or visit Disability.gov's Employment section.
2009-2010 ADA Audio Conference Series
The National Network of ADA Centers is holding a series of audio conference calls on a variety of topics including service animals, aging workers with disabilities, accessibility surveys and access for customers with disabilities. All sessions are scheduled from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) and are presented in three formats: teleconference, streaming audio via the Internet and real-time captioning via the Internet.
Another opportunity to learn more about the ADA is this year's National ADA Symposium which will take place from June 20-23, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Symposium will feature sessions on a variety of issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and includes a pre-conference designed for newcomers. The Symposium provides a unique opportunity to network with people directly involved in ADA implementation throughout the United States.
For more information about the ADA and other laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities visit Disability.gov's Civil Rights section.
Federal Agency in Focus
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Under the leadership of John Berry, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), this federal agency is responsible for recruiting, hiring and setting benefits policies for 1.9 million federal civilian employees. OPM is also committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities in federal government service. Earlier this month, Christine Griffin was appointed as OPM¿s Deputy Director. Ms. Griffin, who has been a strong advocate for the rights of women and individuals with disabilities, launched the LEAD Initiative - Leadership for the Employment of Americans with Disabilities - to address the significant under-employment of individuals with severe disabilities in the federal government.
OPM has special hiring rules that can speed up the hiring of qualified job applicants with disabilities. The Schedule A appointing authority allows qualified job candidates who meet OPM's guidelines to be hired non-competitively, without the typical recruitment headaches; without posting and publicizing the position; and without going through the certificate process. In addition, OPM recently released a new Veterans Employment Web site that includes information about hiring Veterans with a 30 percent or more service-connected disability though non-competitive appointments.
For more information about federal employment opportunities and Schedule A visit Disability.gov's Employment section or read The ABCs of Schedule A.
State Program in Focus
Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education
Alaska's unique geographical area with a relatively small population requires a unique approach to meet the needs of its citizens with disabilities. The Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education was created to meet those diverse needs. The Council's guiding principles are that people with disabilities should have control over their lives and be able to make their own choices and have equal opportunities in learning, transportation, jobs, home ownership, health care and community participation. The Council runs several programs including the Alaska Works Initiative and Start-Up/Alaska, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) START-UP USA project. Follow the Council's activities on Twitter and Facebook.
Hot Topics in Emergency Preparedness
Special Needs Planning Considerations for Service & Support Providers
This online course from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute provides basic information and tools to help design emergency plans that meet the needs of people with disabilities. The course addresses emergency planning that supports individuals with cognitive, sensory, physical, psychiatric and other disabilities who may require assistance before, during or after an emergency.
Accessible emergency communication is a critical piece of any emergency preparedness plan. The first response to an emergency is to warn citizens and take action to protect life and property. Emergency communication transmitted by television, radio and sirens is not accessible to everyone, and emergency plans need to include steps to ensure that emergency communication is accessible to all citizens. Ready.gov and the Department of Homeland Security also have resources available for people with disabilities and emergency management planners.
For more information about planning for emergencies and disasters visit Disability.gov's Emergency Preparedness section.
Emergency Planning for Special Needs Communities: Answering the Call for Help
The January 2010 edition of the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute's (NTPI) Live Response features information from the experts at West Virginia University's Homeland Security Programs who are currently offering a course titled Emergency Planning for Special Needs Communities. The broadcast will identify the significance of a functional approach in emergency planning for special needs communities; identify key issues in developing and disseminating procedures for delivering public information; describe inclusive mass sheltering and mass care provisions for special needs populations; and determine effective measures to assist special needs communities during the recovery phase to restore and resume everyday activities. Archived, captioned broadcasts can be viewed on the NTPI Live Response Web site.
For more information about emergency management planning visit Disability.gov's Emergency Preparedness section.
Inclusive Hurricane Preparedness Conference
This conference, which will take place April 28-29, 2010 in Biloxi, Mississippi, will bring together emergency management and disability stakeholders from states throughout the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard to discuss the latest issues in preparing for and responding to people with disabilities and other populations during hurricanes. The two-day conference, hosted by enableUS and the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN), will examine some of the greatest challenges that emergency managers face when responding to people with disabilities during hurricanes.
For more information about emergency management planning visit Disability.gov's Emergency Preparedness section.
Featured Tools & Resources
Census 2010: Toolkit for Reaching People with Disabilities
This toolkit contains a variety of resources to support outreach efforts to promote the participation of people with disabilities in the 2010 Census. An accurate Census count is especially important to people with disabilities because the funding of many vital government, community and social services, such as health care, transportation and other assistance programs is tied to the Census. In the past, some of individuals did not participate in the census because of misinformation or reasons related to their disability or personal circumstances. Organizations can use this toolkit to reach out to people with disabilities and offer accurate information and assistance so that they will be represented in our nation's capital, as well as in their own communities.
2010 Edition of Social Security's Red Book
The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. While the Red Book is primarily for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals and counselors who serve people with disabilities, it can also serve as a self-help guide for Social Security applicants and beneficiaries. The 2010 Red Book is available in English and Spanish.
For more information about going back to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits visit Disability.gov's Employment section.
National Legal Resource Center Web Site
Health & Human Services Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee has launched a new Web site for the National Legal Resource Center (NLRC). The new site provides professionals and advocates in aging and law with streamlined access to important resources including case consultation and training on the most difficult legal issues facing older persons. The NLRC was created in 2008 by the Administration on Aging (AoA) to give legal and aging services advocates the resources necessary to provide high-quality legal help to seniors who are facing direct threats to their ability to live independently in their homes and communities.
For more information about laws that protect the rights and independence of people with disabilities and others visit Disability.gov's Civil Rights section.
OSU's Fast Facts for Faculty
The Ohio State University's (OSU) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator's Office offers a series of fact sheets designed to help college and university instructors improve the climate and quality of education for students with disabilities. The information briefs provide information about coordinating internships for students with disabilities; sign language interpreting in the classroom; teaching students with different kinds of disabilities and other topics.
For more information about accommodations for students with disabilities visit Disability.gov's Education section.
2009 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - Should I Claim It?
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day is on January 29, 2010, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants you to know about this potentially life-changing tax credit. The EITC is for people who do not earn high incomes; it can reduce their taxes and result in a refund. In simple terms, workers keep more of what they earn. To find out if you may be eligible for the EITC take the eligibility test, which is also available in Spanish.
The IRS has alternate formats available for many of its tax forms, including "speech friendly" or talking tax forms. Businesses interested in hiring people with disabilities should check out the Mid-Atlantic ADA & IT Information Center's fact sheet Tax Credits and Deductions for Barrier Removal Hiring, and Accommodations.
For more tax-related information visit Disability.gov's Employment section.
Assistive Technology (AT) for Kids with Learning Disabilities
This article from LD OnLine introduces parents to the role of Assistive Technology (AT) in helping children with learning disabilities experience success in school, in recreation and, eventually, at work. It includes information about how to select AT tools that are reliable and tailored to children's individual needs, abilities and experience.
For more information about AT visit Disability.gov's Technology section.
2009 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
The 2009 Disability Statistics Compendium is the first of what is intended to be an annual publication of statistics on people with disabilities and government programs that serve the population with disabilities. Data include statistics from federal sources and surveys on disability prevalence and population size, including break-downs by state and disability type, employment and earnings, education, health and health care coverage, rehabilitation, and participation in benefit programs. The entire Compendium is also available in PDF format. The Compendium is a product of the Hunter College Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
For more statistics relating to people with disabilities visit the Research & Statistics section in any of Disability.gov's ten main subject areas.
In Your Community
ODEP Listening Sessions
In early 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its federal partners are holding a series of Listening Sessions across the country on disability employment. Upcoming sessions will soon be held in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Boston. Each Listening Session is an opportunity for members of the public to provide input to senior federal officials on their ideas for more effective ways to employ all people with disabilities, including women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities and best practices from their regions. Visit ODEP's Web site to learn more about its mission and work.
EEOC Outreach Program Coordinators
Preventing employment discrimination from occurring in the workplace in the first place is preferable to remedying the consequences of discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers training, outreach and education programs to help employers, employees and others understand and prevent discrimination. The EEOC believes that discrimination can be averted if companies, federal agencies and individuals know and understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
EEOC representatives are available on a limited basis at no cost to make presentations and participate in meetings with employees and employers, and their representative groups, as well as community organizations and other members of the general public.
For more information about employment-related laws visit Disability.gov's Civil Rights section.
Special Education Scorecards
This scorecard from the National Center for Learning Disabilities includes information on state special education enrollment, including students with learning disabilities, student performance on key indicators, federal funding provided to states in support of special education and the state's latest rating. More in-depth statistics are available through the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.
For more education-related research and statistics visit Disability.gov's Education section.
Patterns in the Identification of & Outcomes for Children & Youth with Disabilities
This new study reports that the percentage of children in different age groups who were newly identified or continuing to receive early intervention and special education services increased from 1997 to 2005. Patterns in the Identification of and Outcomes for Children and Youth with Disabilities uses data collected by the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies to present information on infants and toddlers (birth through age 2), preschool-age children (ages 3 through 5) and school-age children and youth (ages 6 through 21) served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Released by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, the report provides background for studies of program implementation and effectiveness under the National Assessment of IDEA. Upon request, this report is available in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, audiotape or compact disc (CD). For more information, call the Alternate Format Center at 202-205-8113.
For more education-related research and statistics visit Disability.gov's Education section.
Grants & Financial Assistance
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs
Under a new law, more Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for extra help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and resources. Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited income and resources are eligible for extra help to pay for costs such as monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.
Beginning January 1, 2010, when determining your eligibility for extra help, SSA will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy, or count as income the help you receive regularly from someone else to pay your household expenses - food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water and property taxes. Information about these changes is also available in Spanish.
For more information about help paying for medical expenses read Programs that Can Help You Pay Your Medical Expenses and Medicare & You 2010.
Home Modifications
Home modifications or adaptations can make performing certain tasks easier, reduce accidents and support independent living. Examples of home modification include: lever door handles that operate easily with a push; handrails on both sides of staircase and outside steps; and ramps for accessible entry and exit. The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification maintains a directory of state resources on home modification to find help in your state. The Center for Independent Living in your community can also answer questions and make referrals relating to home modifications. Veterans with disabilities can also apply for help through Rebuilding Together and the Veterans Administration's (VA) Specially Adapted Housing Program. Some of the expenses related to modifying a home may be tax deductible.
Home Heating Help
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the release of an additional $490 million in funding to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet home energy costs. These Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds will provide states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia with additional assistance to pay heating and electricity costs. Contact the LIHEAP program in your state to find out if you are eligible for help.
Education, Training & Enhanced Services to End Violence Against & Abuse of Women with Disabilities Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is seeking applications for the Education, Training and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities Grant Program. This program furthers the Department's mission by providing training, consultation and information on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking against individuals with disabilities to improve the response to such crimes and enhance direct services to such individuals. Letters of intent to apply should be submitted by February 22, 2010 and the application deadline is March 9, 2010.
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