Lex Frieden, Chairperson
January 2005

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. Please send your editorial comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov)

NCD Celebrating 20 Years as an Independent Federal Agency, 1984-2004

NCD Holds Social Security Consensus Meeting

On January 26, Virginia Commonwealth University organized an NCD Consensus Building Conference on Social Security at the National Press Club. The meeting brought together approximately 100 stakeholders to review seven topic papers examining the evidence-based practices that support the return (and transition) to work for social security beneficiaries. Specifically, the papers cover 1) public and private health coverage for social security disability beneficiaries who work; 2) post-eligibility policies and procedures: eliminating disincentives to employment in the Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits programs; 3) SSA’s efforts to implement the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act; 4) lessons from the foreign experience: how some other countries deal with barriers to employment of people with disabilities; 5) beneficiary experiences, entitlement, and return to work for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries; 6) early intervention and diversion strategies for stemming the growth in social security disability programs; and 7) evidence-based practices that promote employment of people with disabilities.

The conference was aimed at achieving consensus on a prioritized list of recommendations for social security policy change.

Employment Study RFP

On January 10, NCD published a presolicitation notice on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site (http://www.fedbizopps.gov/) for an employment study.

NCD has begun an assertive and systematic review of both public and private policies and initiatives aimed at improving the employment of people with disabilities. A primary building block in the sequential but complementary studies on employment is NCD’s Social Security/Transitioning to Work Study, which is examining the evidence-based practices that promote the return to work (and transition to work) of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income program beneficiaries.

The next building block will be this employment study, which will include the following major components: a) a thorough, systematic examination or environmental scan of the nexus between employment and the following areas: transportation; housing; reasonable accommodations; education; health care; assistive technology; telecommunications; long-term services and supports; and telecommuting, among other topics; b) a business advisory committee and public forums to solicit information and input on employment issues and practices; c) informational issue briefs that examine the status and impact of existing employment strategies at the federal, state, and local levels, such as customized employment, entrepreneurship, telework, supported employment, microbusiness, e-commerce, and competitive employment; and d) a cohesive final report with information drawn from the first three components along with recommendations aimed at improving the employment status of people with disabilities. Concurrent with the employment study, NCD will undertake a complementary research initiative on financial incentives available to enhance the ability of people with disabilities to live and work independently and in the community of their choice. The estimated contract period is 12 months. NCD will distribute its Employment Study Request for Proposals (RFP) on February 4, 2005. Interested parties must submit their responses by March 22, 2005. Copies of the RFP may be requested by mail or picked up on or after the issue date. All requests must reference the RFP number and title. For more information, contact Joan Durocher, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004, jdurocher@ncd.gov.

NCD Provides Disaster Guidance to State Department

On January 11, NCD provided guidance to the Secretary of State on U.S. assistance with the relief and reconstruction efforts in the wake of the tsunami devastation in Asia. The United States has an opportunity to improve the lives of the many citizens with disabilities in the affected countries, and those who acquire a disability as a result of the disaster.

It is hard to imagine how anything positive can come out of a tragedy of this magnitude, but in rebuilding homes, businesses, and public facilities, there will be an unprecedented opportunity to make them accessible to people with disabilities, thus empowering many people to improve their lives by gaining access to schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

This is not just a laudable goal. The United States has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are addressed in its foreign assistance efforts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Part D (Foreign Operations), Sec. 579 (d) specifies that, “The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator shall seek to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are addressed, where appropriate, in democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs, projects and activities supported by the Department of State, Department of the Treasury, and USAID.” Furthermore, Section 579 (e), specifies that USAID “shall implement procedures to require that prospective grantees seeking funding from USAID specify, when relevant, how the proposed program, project or activity for which funding is being requested will include protecting the rights and addressing the needs of persons with disabilities.”

With its inclusive foreign assistance laws, the United States is well positioned to lead the world in rebuilding the tsunami-affected countries and demonstrate how to build on the tremendous human potential of the more than 600 million people worldwide who have disabilities.

International Watch

On January 6, NCD’s International Watch Federal Advisory Committee met by conference call to discuss the recent foreign policy legislation adopted by Congress; an update on the Center for International Rehabilitation’s Disability Rights Monitoring Project; and an update from InterAction on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s compact submissions and civil society participation. Minutes are linked at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/advisory/international/2005/interwatch_01-06-05.htm.

On January 31, NCD staff met with a delegation from Australia to discuss NCD’s foreign policy work. The United Nations Ad Hoc Committee meeting is taking place January 24 through February 4, and NCD contractors developed three draft topic papers for use by delegates. The papers address transportation, independent living, and political participation.

Legislative Update

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

On January 4, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2005 (H.R. 240) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. It would reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and also referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and the Workforce, Agriculture, and Financial Services.

On January 14, NCD published an update on the reauthorization of TANF (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/reauthorizations/tanf/factsummary.htm).

In 1996, the TANF block grant was created to replace Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Although TANF is not specifically for persons with disabilities, research indicates that over 40 percent of TANF recipients have a physical or mental disability or have a child with a disability.

In its reauthorization of TANF, Congress should recognize that people with disabilities want to work and should provide specific supports and services for physical, mental or health conditions that could enable people to participate more fully in employment opportunities. People with disabilities who are on TANF face multiple barriers to employment, including inadequate transportation and few opportunities to improve educational and employment skills. In addition to these barriers, families who have a child with a disability face multiple challenges in leaving TANF, such as sanctions that do not take into account the disability and the lack of flexibility in their jobs to meet their children’s needs. NCD’s 2003 TANF report, TANF and Disability-Importance of Supports for Families with Disabilities in Welfare Reform is available at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2003/familysupports.htm.

The Family Opportunities Act of 2005

On January 26, the Family Opportunities Act of 2005 (S. 183) was introduced in the U.S. Senate This bill amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to create options for families who have children with disabilities to buy into Medicaid and pay on a sliding scale while continuing to work. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

The Lifetime of Education Opportunities Act of 2005

On January 24, the Lifetime of Education Opportunities Act of 2005 (S. 9) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The bill would improve American competitiveness in the global economy by improving and strengthening federal education and training programs. Among other things, this bill reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which contains NCD’s authorizing statute. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

Job Training Improvement Act of 2005

On January 4, the Job Training Improvement Act of 2005 (H.R. 27) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would enhance the workforce investment system of the nation by strengthening one-stop career centers; providing for more effective governance arrangements; promoting access to a more comprehensive array of employment, training, and related services; establishing a targeted approach to serving youth; and improving performance accountability. Among other things, this bill also reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which contains NCD’s authorizing statute. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

NCD Quarterly Meeting

NCD’s next quarterly meeting will take place from 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m., March 9–11, 2005, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaii. This meeting will be open to the public.

The agenda includes Reports from the Chairperson and the Executive Director; Team Reports; Panel Discussion on Natural Disasters and Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities; Panel Discussion on Outdoor Activities for People with Disabilities; and a Joint Session with the Hawaii Disability and Communications Board with a Briefing on Consumer-Directed Health Care and Olmstead Implementation. For more information, contact Mark S. Quigley at mquigley@ncd.gov.