John R. Vaughn, Chairperson
August 2007

The Bulletin, which is free of charge and at NCD’s award-winning Web site (www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on Online mailing list archives, select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or leave the list, then complete the short subscription form. Please send your editorial comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

NCD to Release Employment Report
Each October is designated by Congress as National Disability Employment Awareness month. This October, NCD will highlight employment by releasing its latest report, Empowerment for Americans with Disabilities: Breaking Barriers to Careers and Full Employment, at a news conference and panel discussion on October 1 to 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the House Committee on Administration Hearing Room, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Independence and New Jersey Avenues, SE, Washington, DC.

This report comprehensively reviews the issues integral to the employment of people with disabilities. It has two broad aims: (1) to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the employment of people with disabilities in a series of short issue briefs; and (2) to present new information on the perspectives of employers, people with disabilities, and disability specialists on the key barriers and facilitators of employment.

Research Opportunity Awarded
NCD is pleased to announce that it has awarded its one-year study The Vocational Rehabilitation Act: Transition Outcomes and Effects to the Virginia Commonwealth University. NCD will assess the impact of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically related to transition from school to work and/or post-secondary education, as well as collaboration with post-secondary educational systems. NCD expects that the resulting report will be used by policymakers and the public to refine and strengthen the ongoing implementation of the Rehabilitation Act.

FEMA Releases Disability Disaster Reference Guide
On August 21, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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.

The document summarizes equal access requirements for people with disabilities within disaster mass care, housing, and human services functions. The Guide explains how applicable federal laws relate to government entities, the private sector, and religious organizations. A full copy of the Guide may be accessed at www.fema.gov/oer/reference.

Under the Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 5441) signed by President Bush on October 4, 2006, NCD has been assigned key responsibilities for disability-related issues in homeland security. These responsibilities involve the administrator of FEMA working, in conjunction with other FEMA staff, with NCD and others (e.g., a national advisory council, organizations representing people with disabilities) on at least nine major tasks including the following:

• Appointing a disability coordinator;

• Interacting regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

• Completing, revising, and updating, as necessary, guidelines to define risk-based target capabilities for Federal, State, local, and tribal government preparedness that will enable the Nation to prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and others;

• Carrying out a national training program to implement the national preparedness goal, National Incident Management System, National Response Plan, and other related plans and strategies;

• Carrying out a national exercise program to test and evaluate the national preparedness goal, National Incident Management System, National Response Plan, and other related plans and strategies;

• Establishing a comprehensive system to assess, on an ongoing basis, the Nation's prevention capabilities and overall preparedness, including operational readiness;

• Establishing a remedial action management program to (1) analyze training, exercises, and real-world events to identify and disseminate lessons learned and best practices; (2) generate and disseminate, as appropriate, after-action reports to participants in exercises and real-world events; and (3) conduct remedial action tracking and long-term trend analysis;

• Developing, coordinating, and maintaining a national disaster housing strategy; and

• Developing guidelines to accommodate individuals with disabilities, which shall include guidelines for (1) the accessibility of, and communications and programs in, shelters, recovery centers, and other facilities; and (2) devices used in connection with disaster operations, including first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable payphone stations, portable toilets, and temporary housing.

NCD continues to meet with key FEMA and DHS staff, as well as with national organizations representing people with disabilities, about these key responsibilities and the direction FEMA is taking to fulfill its new disability mandates under H.R. 5441.

To read NCD’s latest document on emergency preparedness, please go to The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on People with Disabilities: A Look Back and Remaining Challenges at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2006/hurricanes_impact.htm.

Youth Advisory Committee Recruitment Announcement
NCD’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is a 12-member advisory committee that provides advice to NCD on disability-related issues affecting youth.

Electronic application documents will be accepted from people between the ages of 16 and 25 year-old age range at the time of application. Youth with a variety of disabilities, underrepresented diverse racial and ethnic groups, and representatives from around the country are encouraged to apply.

E-mail is necessary as an accommodation. Three application documents must be received through e-mail by 5:00 p.m. EDT on September 27, 2007.

The three application documents e-mailed to youth@ncd.gov must include:

1. Your cover letter pointing out what makes you the best candidate for a position of national-level leadership as a representative of youth with disabilities;

2. Your resume outlining your experiences; and

3. One letter of recommendation from an adult who is familiar with your leadership, disability experiences, and potential. (This written recommendation must be e-mailed by someone other than your parent or legal guardian. Documents attached as Word files or accessible PDF files will be acceptable.)

A brief daytime telephone interview will be conducted for the top finalists to fill five YAC positions.

Please send only electronic documents (use email only) to be considered as a YAC applicant during this recruitment period. Address the letter of recommendation and your cover letter to:

Dr. Gerrie Hawkins
Designated Federal Official
Youth Advisory Committee
National Council on Disability
youth@ncd.gov

YAC Members Highlighted
Two YAC members completed summer internships in Washington, DC. Gary Goosman from Michigan/Illinois (YAC Vice Chair) worked with the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor (DOL). Michael Murray from North Carolina (YAC Outreach and Networking Leader) worked for the Institute of Educational Leadership. Gary and Michael also served on the planning group for the DOL-sponsored Blazing the Trail: Youth Development and Leadership National Conference, to which YAC members Amy Doherty (MA), Daman Wandke (WA), Carly Fahey (FL), and YAC Chair Stephanie Orlando (NY) were invited participants in Crystal City (Arlington, VA).

Legislative Update
The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R.1424) requires equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans. It was introduced on March 9, 2007, by Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI). It passed the House Education and Labor Committee on July 18, 2007, and remains in the House Energy and Commerce and House Ways and Means Committees.

The bill prohibits treatment limits or the imposition of financial requirements on mental health and substance-related disorder benefits in group health plans, which are not similarly imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits in any category of items or services under such plans.

The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S. 558) would provide parity between health insurance coverage of mental health benefits and benefits for medical and surgical services. It was introduced on February 12, 2007, by Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-NM), the bill passed the Senate HELP Committee on March 27, 2007, with a Committee Report on April 11, 2007.

The bill requires a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those of substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including deductibles and co-payments; and (2) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including limits on the frequency of treatments or similar limits on the scope or duration of treatment. It prohibits a plan from establishing separate cost-sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health benefits.

Quarterly Meetings
NCD’s fall quarterly meeting will be held November 29  December 1, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Boston, One Avenue De LaFayette, Boston, MA.

NCD’s winter quarterly meeting will be held January 28  January 30, 2008, at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA.

These meetings are open to the public. People with disabilities are encouraged to attend and participate in the daily public comment segments of the meeting. The agendas will be posted at www.ncd.gov prior to each meeting.

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Mark S. Quigley
Director of Communications
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004