News Archives

Conference took place May 4-5, 2009 in Winston-Salem, NC and included sessions on employment, leadership and independent living for people with disabilites.

The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai'i hosted this conference May 4-5, 2009 in Honolulu. The conference addressed topics including autism, disability rights and employment and explore new directions through scholarship, best practice and international networking.

The 2009 PacificRim International Forum focused on the convention on rights of persons with disabilities with special attention to eradicating poverty. Event took place May 2-3, 2009 in Honolulu, HI.

Newsletter from the U.S. Access Board provides information and resources related to accessibility.

On March 31, Special Olympics and other organizations hosted events throughout the United States and around the world will make people stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word "retard." Events included an online youth rally.

This conference was held March 2-4, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. Its theme was "Medicaid - New Opportunities for Community Living Community Inclusion and Integration." It featured presentations on topics such as community inclusion for persons living with a disability, innovative ways to increase housing capacity, Medicaid rebalancing, self direction and quality management systems.

The U.S. Department of Labor has joined with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to launch a Web-based directory to help wounded warriors identify resources available to assist them in transitioning back to civilian life. The "National Resource Directory" encompasses more than 10,000 services and resources. "This directory is valuable for our returning wounded warriors and their positive reintegration back into mainstream American life," said Neil Romano, assistant secretary for the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

The disability community commemorated the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama with the first-ever Disability Power & Pride Inaugural Ball was held in Washington, DC on January 18, 2009. The event's theme, Life Without Limits, reflected the growing strength and stature of the disability community.

Dignity and justice for all of us was the theme of this year's International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

On October 27, 2008, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) recognized the significant achievements of five leaders in science, education, business and entertainment during a ceremony celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Among the awardees, Mr. Kyle Maynard, born with congenital amputation of all four limbs, a champion wrestler, author, motivational speaker, advocate and role model, received the Persons with Disabilities Across the Lifespan Award.

The theme of the 2008 TASH conference was "Social Justice in the 21st Century" and it took place December 3-6 in Nashville, TN.

A guide for state, territorial, tribal and local emergency managers to use in the development of emergency operations plans (EOPs) that are inclusive of the entire population of a jurisdiction of any size. This guide specifically provides recommendations for planning for special needs populations. The entire document can be downloaded in text or .pdf formats.

Event took place November 21-22, 2008 in Jacksonville, FL. It featured the latest products and services for people with disabilities.

The theme of the 2008 convention was "Telling our Story - Weaving our Future" and it took place November 5-8 in Albuquerque, NM.

This conference was sponsored by the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP). Through training and technical assistance, NSIP works to ensure meaningful volunteer service experiences for all Americans, regardless of their abilities. This year's conference, Acting Today to Shape the Future, was held in Alexandria, VA from October 16-18.

The 14th Annual National Conference on Rural Independent Living took place October 11-13, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.

National Council on Disability's (NCD) last quarterly meeting of the year was held October 6-8 in Kansas City, MO. These meetings are open to the public and free of charge.

Conference took place October 1-3, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM and provided an opportunity for people with disabilities, service providers, disability organizations and representatives from government agencies to network and discuss best practices.

This conference, convened by the National Association of State Units on Aging and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, took place September 28 - October 1, 2008 in Boston, MA. It offered professional and network opportunities for professionals who administer and operate home and community based services programs throughout the country.

This conference took place September 24-25, 2008 in Kansas City, MO. Participants learned about systems change, customized employment and community based services and supports.

This teleconference and Webcast took place Monday, August 18, 2008 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT. It was designed to help new transition coordinators and service providers at centers for independent living (CILs) who have started new programs to help individuals plan their move back to the community.

Homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can apply for disaster relief assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To apply by phone call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)/1-800-462-7585 TTY for people who are speech- or hearing-impaired. The toll-free number is open 24 hours a day.

This conference took place August 11-13, 2008 in Honolulu, HI and was held for family members, friends, professionals and people who have been labeled, segregated or otherwise marginalized because their abilities were different than other people's.

A historic, nonpartisan forum on national disability policy was held on July 26, 2008 in Columbus, OH. Over a thousand Americans with disabilities and their friends and family attended the event to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The 2008 conference took place July 21-24 in Washington, DC and offered a chance for independent living advocates to network and organize grassroots and national plans of action.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) was gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. The Council was seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education.

Part 1: Assisting Individuals to Prepare for an Emergency took place on Monday, June 23, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT. Part II: Preparing Your Organization for an Emergency took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT.

March 17, 2008 report from the National Council on Disabilities (NCD) that looks at barriers and solutions relating to people with psychiatric disabilities fully participating in their communities.

Report issued on January 15, 2008 by the National Council on Disability (NCD) that examines employment, housing, education, transportation and other federal policies that affect people with disabilities.

Summarizes equal access requirements for people with disabilities as they relate to disaster care, housing and human services. This guide explains how applicable Federal laws relate to government entities and non-government, private sector and religious organizations. Read the complete guide by clicking here.

On March 31, 2009 NCD released its annual report to the President and Congress calling for a new integrated approach to disability policy within the federal government. The report looks at many issues including access to health care, housing and technology, and negative public attitudes and stereotypes about people with disabilities. The complete report can be downloaded in Word format.