News & Events

Fact sheet from the Job Accommodation Network provides tips and resources on how to make sure the needs of employees with disabilities are met during a pandemic flu outbreak. This link opens a Word document.

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health & Human Services have published a request for information (RFI) soliciting public comments before developing rulemakings on group health plans. The public may submit comments electronically by email to E-OHPSCA.EBSA@dol.gov or through Regulations.gov. Comments are due by May 28, 2009.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a nationwide public health emergency in response to recent human infections with the newly discovered swine influenza A (swH1N1) virus. The formal declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) facilitates HHS' preparation and mobilization for disasters and emergencies.

President Obama has reauthorized the Children's Health Insurance Program, expanding access to an additional 4 million children. Learn more about health insurance for infants, children and teens in your state.

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.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the selection of Henry Claypool as director of the HHS Office on Disability. Mr. Claypool has 25 years of experience developing and implementing disability policy at the federal, state, and local levels, and he has personal experience with the nation's health care system from the perspective of an individual with a disability.

Americans expressed serious concerns regarding health care in a new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services. The report, Americans Speak on Health Reform: Report on Health Care Community Discussions, summarizes comments from the thousands of Americans who hosted and participated in Health Care Community Discussions across the country and highlights the need for immediate action to reform health care.

American Psychological Association's (APA) Task Force on Guidelines for Assessment and Treatment of Persons with Disabilities is seeking comment on proposed guidelines. This 90-day period for receipt of comments will end on July 31, 2009.

The Institute's goal is to provide strength-based perspectives about students with Autism Spectrum Differences to improve the quality of education in inclusive settings. Conference will be held August 10-13, 2009 at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. This link opens a PDF document.

Disability in America: Inalienable Rights for All conference to be held September 30-October 2, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM. To address the long-term challenges faced by Wounded Warriors and how to improve quality of life of people with disabilities through evaluating disability programs, policies and services. Call for proposals deadline is May 15, 2009. Conference registration deadline is September 1, 2009.

The 2009 Voice Awards ceremony will take place at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA, on October 14, 2009. The event will bring together people from the entertainment industry and mental health consumer and advocacy communities for a night that celebrates increased awareness of mental health issues and the power of recovery. The Voice Awards honor writers and producers who incorporate dignified, respectful and accurate portrayals of individuals with mental health problems into film and television productions.

President Obama has announced the expedited release of Recovery Act funds to help pay for health care for families hit hard by the economic crisis and for some of the nation's most vulnerable citizens. HHS will begin distributing more than $15 billion in federal assistance to help states cover the costs of Medicaid programs. Find out how much funding your state is receiving.

This report from the National Council on Disability describes the less visible psychological and neurological injuries associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The report includes recommendations on improving the treatment and rehabilitation of service members and veterans living with PTSD and/or TBI. This link opens a Word document.

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.

March 24, 2009 news story about innovative therapies that have helped previously comatose patients regain consciousness and that may be incorporated on a greater scale to treat troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

On March 9, 2009 President Obama signed an Executive Order removing barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells and a Presidential memo on scientific integrity. Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells may lead to a better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions.