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October
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October 2008
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this marks the 61st year that our country celebrates employment opportunities for people with disabilities. However, it was not until 2001, when President George W. Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative, that a President focused on full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society, including the workplace. Every single person in this country has skills and talents and has an inherent right to work. Our country now has the technology and methodologies to make it possible for every American, including every American with a disability, to engage in jobs that pay a competitive wage. During this year's NDEAM celebrations, I urge business, government, service providers and individuals to take on the challenge of moving people with disabilities from unemployment to employment, from segregated employment to integrated employment, from the cubicle to the corporate suite, from the mailroom to the boardroom. Through our collaborative efforts, let us end 2008 by fully embracing the principles of the New Freedom Initiative and providing all Americans with disabilities with a pathway to a better life. — Neil Romano, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy |
News & Events |
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2008On October 1st President George W. Bush issued a proclamation announcing National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2008. This year's theme, America's People...America's Talent...America's Strength, "conveys the tremendous contributions that people with disabilities can make in the workplace," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. As part of this effort, on October 8th Secretary Chao and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Neil Romano recognized the winners of the 7th annual Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award and Spirit Award for outstanding efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. A recipient of this year's SPIRIT award is Jim Abbott, a former major league baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. The highlight of his career was pitching a no-hitter for the Yankees in 1993. But he is also remembered for excelling at the game despite being born with only one hand. Today Abbott is using his experience on the field to help increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in all fields. To learn more about his efforts, visit the ODEP and Baseball Web site. ADA Amendments Act of 2008In September, President George W. Bush signed into law S.3406, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). This new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2009, keeps the definition of "disability" as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity but it changes the way that several statutory terms should be interpreted. A new workshop on the ADAAA has been added to the schedule of the upcoming 27th Annual Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference. For more information and resources on the ADA contact your regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) or visit the Civil Rights section of DisabilityInfo.gov or ADA.gov. Ensuring Better Access to Treatment for People with Mental Illness & AddictionThe Paul Wellstone & Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 was signed into law on October 3, 2008. The law does not require businesses to cover mental health and addiction services; however, in most cases if a plan does offer it, then it must do so on equal footing with coverage for medical or physical conditions (unless a state parity law requires even broader coverage) in several areas, including co-payments, deductibles and caps on the frequency or number of visits. The complete text of the law is in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. For information on other health insurance laws, visit the Web sites of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). HUD Charges Apartment Building with Discriminating Against Family of Child with a DisabilityThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged a private cooperative with housing discrimination for refusing to allow a family to obtain an animal that provides emotional support for their autistic child. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services, when such accommodation may be necessary to afford a person with disabilities equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. Read about more enforcement actions taken by HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. For more information on housing rights for people with disabilities, visit the Housing section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
Federal Agency in Focus |
U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment PolicyThe Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing policies and partnerships that support its vision - a world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities. Led by Assistant Secretary Neil Romano, ODEP runs several programs and initiatives designed to promote the employment of people with disabilities and respond to the needs of employers seeking to hire them. ODEP's Web site features a wide range of educational tools and resources, including fact sheets on disability employment issues and profiles of several individuals with disabilities who are contributing to workplaces across America. The site also links to America's Heroes at Work, a new initiative managed by ODEP in collaboration with the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) to help returning service members affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) succeed in the workplace. |
State Program in Focus |
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental DisabilitiesThe Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities offers education and training to build knowledge, develop skills and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Learn more about the Council and its members. Visit Parallels In Time II for an extensive history of disability issues and perspectives, and Partners in Policymaking, which offers free online training courses for self-advocates, parents, college students, and many others. For information on disability-related programs and services in other states, click on the map in any of DisabilityInfo.gov's nine main subject areas: employment, education, housing, transportation, health, benefits, technology, community life and civil rights. |
Hot Topics in Technology |
IDEAS 2008The Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase (IDEAS) is GSA's premier event focused on partnering industry and education with government to meet the requirements under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This year's conference will be held on November 14th in Arlington, VA. Register for this event to experience the latest assistive technology solutions and products from leading exhibitors in the field. Registration is complimentary for government and industry. TARGET Web ConnectTARGET Web Connect is the U.S. Department of Agriculture TARGET Center's new way of providing services to customers regardless of their location. Customers can schedule an appointment or register for an educational program and receive a custom link to be accessed at the time of the event. There is no cost to use this service. TARGET works with USDA employees, managers, IT professionals and procurement officials to find appropriate, cost-effective solutions for USDA employees with disabilities and ergonomic-related needs. CAP's Wounded Service Member InitiativeThrough its Wounded Service Member Initiative, the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) works closely with service members across the nation to ensure they receive appropriate assistive technology (AT) for their needs. Accommodations are available for service members with vision or hearing loss, dexterity impairments, including upper-extremity amputees, and communication and cognitive difficulties, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). CAP provides support and accommodations throughout all phases of recovery and the transition to civilian employment. For more information, read the Wounded Service Member Initiative brochure. For more AT resources, visit the Assistive and Information Technology section of DisabilityInfo.gov. ABLEDATAABLEDATA provides information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment for people with mobility impairments and those who are deaf or blind or have low vision. These products can assist people with disabilities in many areas of life, including recreational and sports activities, with everything from camera mounts for wheelchairs to adjustable basketball backstops. ABLEDATA does not sell any products; rather, it helps people locate companies that do. ABLEDATA is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), part of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) of the U.S. Department of Education. |
Featured Tools & Resources |
New Web Site for CaregiversMore than 44 million Americans, or more than one in five adults, provide care to an older loved one, friend or neighbor. This care is valued in economic terms at $350 billion annually. In response to the important contributions that these caregivers provide across the country, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created Ask Medicare, an initiative to help family caregivers access needed health care information, services and resources. This Web site helps individuals understand what's covered by Medicare, locate support in local communities and learn about home health services for a loved one. More resources for caregivers are available in DisabilityInfo.gov's Caregiver Resources section. Social Security - What You Can Do OnlineYou may think that the only thing you can do online relating to Social Security is apply for benefits. However, there are many other online services available from the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, you can find out if you qualify for benefits, estimate your future benefits and get extra help with your Medicare prescription drug costs. SSA has announced a 5.8% benefit increase for 2009. For more information about Social Security and other benefits programs, visit the Benefits section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Tool Kit on Universal Design for LearningThe Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning is an addition to the original Tool Kit, and offers a summary of current information on universal design for learning (UDL). Building accessibility into lesson planning and curricula design ensures that features meeting the needs of the widest range of students, including students with disabilities, become a part of the learning process. Providing adaptable materials and media allows students to choose and customize formats suited to their learning needs. For example, using digitized text, students can change text to speech, speech to text, font size, colors and highlighting. There also are non-digitized materials, such as highlighted passages or overheads, that can provide support to students. Read Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning to learn more about how using multiple media, such as video and audio formats, provides a variety of ways to represent a concept and allows students to access the materials through different senses. More information for educators is available in the Special Education section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Webcasts with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)JAN has several valuable Webcasts scheduled through the end of this year and into 2009. So gather employees together in a room for live, in-service training on topics such as disability etiquette, assistive technologies, management techniques and the latest on accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Register today; the Webcasts are free of charge. For examples of job accommodations as they relate to specific disabilities or conditions, visit JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) system. Additional information is also available in DisabilityInfo.gov's Workplace Accommodations section. |
In Your Community |
Mental Health Services LocatorThe Mental Health Services Locator identifies mental health services and counselors in individual states, including places where individuals can obtain treatment for drug addiction, alcoholism or depression and connect with local advocacy organizations and self-help groups. For young people living with mental illness, the What a Difference a Friend Makes Web site offers tools to help in the recovery process, including information about the different kinds of mental illnesses, real-life stories about support and recovery, and an interactive video program that shows how friends can make all the difference. For more mental health information read the recently released report Self-Disclosure & Its Impact on Individuals Who Receive Mental Health Services, or visit the Mental Health section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Call 2-1-1Calling 2-1-1 is an easy way for everyone to access programs and services in their community. This universal number connects individuals and families with community resources offering help relating to health care, employment, legal issues, housing, counseling, transportation needs and more. Check the 2-1-1 map to see if this call center is operating in your state. One-Stop Career CentersThere are nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers around the country that offer career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses and workforce professionals to foster talent development in today's global economy. If you are looking for a job, the Career One Stop Web site has information on job listings in every state. Most states also have a designated Disability Program Navigator whose job is to help people with disabilities "navigate through the challenges of seeking work without losing their benefits. More help for job seekers is available in the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov. National Accessible Travelers Database SearchThe National Accessible Travelers Database, sponsored by Easter Seals Project ACTION, assists travelers with disabilities seeking accessibility in transportation at destinations across the U.S. Just enter your city and state or zip code to find listings of public and private accessible transportation services in your community. For additional transportation resources, visit the the Web site of United We RIDE and the Transportation section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities ProgramsThe Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Programs (HCFP) provide a number of homeownership opportunities to rural Americans, as well as programs for home renovation and repair. HCFP also makes financing available to elderly, low-income and rural residents with disabilities who live in multi-unit housing buildings, to ensure they are able to make rent payments. Loans are available for low- and very low-income households to buy a home. Applicants may obtain 100 percent financing to purchase an existing dwelling, purchase a site and construct a dwelling, or purchase a new home located in a rural area. Mortgage payments are based on the household's adjusted income. These loans are commonly referred to as Section 502 Direct Loans. Contact your local Rural Development Area Office for more information. For more housing resources, visit the Housing Assistance section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced funding to help eligible low-income households meet home energy costs. LIHEAP funds provide states with heating assistance for the winter months ahead. Energy assistance is important to all that receive it, but even more so if someone in a home is elderly, has a disability or is a young child under six years old. These persons are especially at risk for life-threatening illnesses if their home is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer. The LIHEAP program in your community decides if your household qualifies for the program based on income level. For more information read the brochure about the program or contact your state program office to apply. |
Grants & Funding |
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program - Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT)The purpose of this grant program is to provide research training and experience at an advanced level to individuals with doctorates or similar advanced degrees who have clinical or other relevant experience. ARRT projects train rehabilitation researchers, including researchers with disabilities, with particular attention to research areas that support the implementation and objectives of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and that improve the effectiveness of services authorized under it. The deadline for transmittal of an application is November 10, 2008. The entire grant announcement may be downloaded from the Federal Register. Access for Athletes GrantsThe Access for Athletes program, sponsored by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, provides equipment, training and competition grants so that athletes with physical challenges can participate in sports. The 2009 grant application is now available, and the due date is December 1, 2008. Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Returning Combat Veterans in the CommunityThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is soliciting applications to study the impact of national, state and/or local community-based programs addressing the adjustment and mental health needs of recent combat veterans. Research projects supported through this grant will produce new information concerning effective strategies for fostering successful transition from combat to civilian roles for returning service members. Letters of intent must be received by April 1, 2009. View the entire announcement and apply online. RESNA Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project (AFTAP)The RESNA Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project (AFTAP) provides technical assistance to state financial loan programs. This includes Alternative Financing Programs funded under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394) and Access to Telework Loan programs. AFTAP also assists states seeking to establish an alternative financing program. Contact your state's program to learn about options for borrowing or financing assistive technology that can help you live and work independently. |
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