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Provides information and referral services for visually impaired students of all ages, their parents and teachers, learning opportunities for blind students headed to college, and maintains a network of visually impaired musicians willing to share their expertise in Braille music, technology and coping strategies. The Resource Center is best known for its Summer Institute for Blind College-bound Musicians, a residential program which brings together students from several states, who are studying music at the college level.

Watch a captioned Webcast from the TARGET Center's Discovery Series about accessible eLearning. Learn how to use CourseAvenue software to provide Section 508 compliant accessible training to learners of all abilities.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Through these programs trained community volunteers help with special credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most TCE locations also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.

In 2011 Congress will consider reauthorization and amendments to the OAA. In preparation for this process, the Administration on Aging (AoA) is asking for input on the reauthorization through Listening Forums that will be held in Dallas, TX, Alexandria, VA and San Francisco, CA; OAA Reauthorization input events; and direct input through AoA's Web site or by mail.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced changes to certain benefits and programs that take effect in 2010. These changes include a delay until June 30, 2010 in out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals. This means the department will delay a scheduled $1.00 increase to $9.00, in the co-payments for each 30-day supply of medicine for the treatment of conditions not related to military service. During this period, VA will also keep $960 as the maximum, annual out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals for non-service-related conditions. For more information visit the VA's Compensation & Pension Services Web site.

This International Exchange program will bring together women leaders with disabilities to strengthen leadership skills, create new visions and build international networks of support. Program activities will focus on priority issues for women with disabilities, including career planning and higher education; employment strategies; and health and family issues. The event will be held from August 7 - 29, 2010 in Eugene, OR. Application deadline is March 1, 2010.

The Middle Class Task Force, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, has unveiled a series of initiatives in the President's FY 11 budget to help families with soaring child care costs, balancing work with caring for elderly relatives or people with disabilities, paying for college, and saving for retirement. The nearly $103 million investment proposed by the Task Force will support more respite care, counseling, training, referrals and adult day care.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has scheduled its 2010 Examining Conflicts in Employment Laws (EXCEL) conference from July 12-15, 2010 in Orlando, FL. The EXCEL conference, considered the conference to attend for senior federal agency leaders, federal EEO and HR practitioners, and attorneys in the federal government, provides training on the laws and issues within the EEOC's purview. Proposals for the conference may be submitted until January 28, 2010.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report entitled The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective. The report provides recommendations to improve housing opportunities for people with disabilities. The research contained in this report presents a comprehensive overview of the state of housing in the twenty-first century, and answers important questions about the current housing needs and options for people with disabilities living in the United States. The complete report can be downloaded in PDF format.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it has reached agreements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Pace University in New York City and Reed College in Portland, OR, regarding the use in a classroom setting of the electronic book reader, the Kindle DX, a hand-held technological device that simulates the experience of reading a book. Under the agreements the universities generally will not purchase, recommend or promote use of the Kindle DX, or any other dedicated electronic book reader, unless the devices are fully accessible to students who are blind and have low vision.

From January through March the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its federal partners will hold a series of six Listening Sessions in DOL regions across the country. These sessions will provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide input to senior federal officials on their ideas for more effective ways to employ women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities, and what is currently working in their communities to increase employment among people with disabilities. Register online to find the location of a session in your region. Learn more about ODEP's mission and vision.

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have announced the adoption of the design specifications for the development of a gateway interface that will enable wireless carriers to provide customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices. To ensure that persons with disabilities who subscribe to wireless services receive these emergency alerts, the FCC adopted rules in 2008 that will require participating wireless carriers to transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched the Choose Work web site for people receiving Social Security disability benefits. View short, informative videos; hear powerful stories told by people whose circumstances have led them to explore the Ticket and other Work Incentives; experience a Work Incentive Seminar Event and find local resources and other helpful information for Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to return to work.

American Sign Language (ASL) videos and captions about the H1N1 (swine) flu, including public service announcements and information on symptoms and prevention. Includes videos provided by Health Information Translations and DeafMD.org.

The Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are currently working or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. Application deadline is March 5, 2010. This link opens a PDF document.

The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) National Technical Assistance Center is hosting a series of conference calls on Job Development in Tough Times, Substance Abuse and Employment of Homeless Veterans and Green Jobs. Questions about these upcoming conference calls should be directed to jltodd@vcu.edu.

The next Community Living Program (CLP) and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) meeting will take place from February 22-24, 2010 in Alexandria, VA. The meeting objectives include increasing grantees' knowledge of successful strategies in establishing partnerships for achieving reform of the long-term services and supports system. Presentation proposals are due December 15, 2009.

On November 21, 2009 Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) took effect. GINA prohibits discrimination by health insurers and employers based on individuals' genetic information. Genetic information includes the results of genetic tests to determine whether someone is at increased risk of acquiring a condition (such as some forms of breast cancer) in the future, as well as a person's family medical history. For more information about Title I provisions of the law relating to health coverage visit The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008: Information for Researchers and Health Care Professionals.

This official federal government handbook on Medicare contains important information about Medicare costs; What Medicare covers; Health and prescription drug plans; Your Medicare rights; and Health information technology. This link opens a PDF document.

The Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters (CRSCAD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston is hosting this July 12-15, 2010 conference to bring together stakeholders from around the world to share information and develop strategies around some of the core issues concerning the place of the elderly and people with disabilities in local, regional, national and international post-disaster reconstruction policies, plans and programs. CRSCAD is also sponsoring an international student essay competition on the topic of the conference. The deadline for submitting materials for presentation and the Student Competition is January 30, 2010.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has withdrawn a proposed rule entitled Medicaid Program; Coverage for Rehabilitative Services (72 FR 45201) that was published in the Federal Register on August 13, 2007. This rule proposed to amend the definition of Medicaid rehabilitative services to include a requirement for a person-centered written rehabilitation plan and maintenance of case records. The notice of withdrawal of this proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 23, 2009. Questions about the withdrawal notice should be directed to the CMS Office of Legislation.

Characteristics of travelers today include people with disabilities as well as low-income individuals. These groups are interested in using more independent modes of transportation services as well as improving the current system. This 2-day course looks at ways to improve these fragmented systems to a more seamless network that is customer-friendly. Download the registration form as a PDF document.

The California State University at Northridge is offering assistive technology (AT) training programs to help participants understand all kinds of AT and their potential areas of application. FastTrax Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Programs (ATACPs) are scheduled as follows: December 2-3, 2009 - Fresno, CA, January 18-19, 2010 - Washington, DC and March 22-23, 2010 - San Diego, CA.

Remarks by President Barack Obama after signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This law closes the current gaps in federal law to also provide federal assistance in the cases of a hate crime committed against persons because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. In his remarks the President stated that "No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are, or because they live with a disability."

Archived recording of October 28, 2009 Discovery Series. Learn how to create tagged PDF files directly from InDesign and speed up your digital publication process while meeting accessibility guidelines. Find out about elements of design that will make your professional print layout more effective to all readers.

The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced the release of more than $2.6 billion to states to help low income citizens with their heating bills this year. These funds are grants to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Energy assistance is important to all that receive it, but especially for the elderly, children and people with disabilities. For information about applying for LIHEAP assistance, please contact your local office.

This brochure describes flu symptoms, emergency warning signs and provides information for people with chronic health conditions or disabilities including cancer, blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), chronic lung disease, neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) and weakened immune systems (including people with HIV/AIDS). This link opens a PDF document.

This Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program facilitates the movement of severely injured Service Members through the security screening process at the nation's airports. Persons eligible for this program include Service Members from all branches of the armed services who have special travel needs and their accompanying family members. To request assistance through the program, injured service men or women, or their designee(s) should call TSA toll-free at 1-888-262-2396, email or fax no later than 24 hours prior to flying.

President Obama has announced that his Administration is taking several steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. These actions include collaboration between the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to sponsor a day long Federal Government-wide job fair for people with disabilities.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reported that for the first time since 1999 SSA has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared to 760,813 hearings pending at the start of the year, a reduction of more than 37,000 cases. Over the same period, the average processing time for these cases improved from 514 days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009. Read more about SSA's hearings and appeals process.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has awarded a cooperative agreement to Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute, School of Industrial and Labor Relations in Ithaca, N.Y., to establish a national technical assistance center for employers on employment of people with disabilities. The the center will conduct innovative research, assist ODEP in developing demand-side policy, and share best practices with employers on the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities.

The 25th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (2010 CSUN Conference) will take place March 22-27, 2010 in San Diego, CA. This conference will focus on assistive technology and its positive impact on persons with disabilities. The conference's Call for Papers closes on October 16, 2009.

To celebrate the launch of the What Can YOU Do? outreach effort, the Campaign for Disability Employment asked aspiring filmmakers to produce their own 60-second video in support of this effort. Watch these award-winning videos that illustrate positive images of people with disabilities at work and help viewers re-think their assumptions about people with disabilities and employment.

This conference is organized into three thematic areas--Foundation, Exploration and Innovation, and will address many issue areas including employment, hidden disabilities, transition to post-secondary education, disability rights, assistive technology and more. The conference will be held April 12-13, 2010 in Honolulu, HI and online registration is available.

AHEAD is a professional membership organization for individuals involved in the development of policy and in the provision of quality services to meet the needs of persons with disabilities involved in all areas of higher education. This conference will take place from July 12-17, 2010 in Denver, CO.

Provides information on disability laws and other subjects available to download and listen to, as well as podcast transcripts to read. Information covered includes the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Ticket to Work program, the Fair Housing Act and other laws and programs that support the rights and independence of people with disabilities. This information is also available in Spanish. Disability Law Lowdown ASL videos are on YouTube.

The Pass It On Center is developing an emergency response system based on an existing network of Assistive Technology (AT) Centers. At the foundation of this project is a national survey designed to develop an understanding of the current involvement of a variety of programs in efforts related to assistive technology reuse and emergency planning, management and response. Information obtained will be vital to developing effective emergency response systems for all populations.

The U.S. Department of Education has made available ahead of schedule $11.37 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. To assist states and districts with effective use of this unprecedented increase in funding, the Department has released additional guidance on using Recovery Act funds under Title I, IDEA Part B and Part C.

The annual conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging will take place March 15-19, 2010 in Chicago, IL. This conference brings together professionals from the fields of aging, health care and education. Request a conference brochure for more information.

In a major class lawsuit filed in federal court, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged that Atlanta-based United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), the world's largest package delivery company, violated federal law by rejecting an extension of medical leave as a reasonable accommodation for its employees with disabilities.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a discrimination lawsuit against national retailer Target Stores, Inc. for unlawfully denying a reasonable accommodation to an employee with multiple disability-based impairments and substantially reducing his work hours due to the medical conditions. The worker could not effectively communicate with others without the assistance of a job coach because of his cerebral palsy and intellectual disability.

Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced more than $25.7 million in grants to increase and improve health and support services at the nation's health centers. Patients receive care at health centers regardless of their ability to pay. The centers offer many forms of medical care including checkups, immunizations for children, dental care and prescription drugs, and mental health and substance abuse services.

If you have a sensory and/or mobility impairment you may be eligible to participate in a new research project of the Washington University School of Medicine's Program in Occupational Therapy. This research aims to understand what people with sensory and/or mobility impairments do in their daily lives, how their environments affect their community participation and what, if any, help they need to complete activities.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that grants totaling $1.2 billion in Recovery Act funds will go to improve state and local transit systems in the United States while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed transportation options for millions. Many of these grants will pay for paratransit services and accessible public transportation in communities around the country.

The International Brain Injury Association's World Congress is the largest gathering of international professionals working in the field of brain injury. Delegates include physicians, psychologists and neuropsychologists, therapists, social workers, nurses, case managers, legal professionals, advocates and all others working in the field of brain injury. The conference will take place in Washington, DC from March 10-14, 2010.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) heard testimony from some of the nation's leading experts on early-onset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias about possible methods for identifying and implementing Compassionate Allowances for people living with early-onset Alzheimer's.

Temple University is offering online classes to help the public health workforce and emergency managers to address the needs of special populations, including people with disabilities and older Americans.