National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin; NCD Celebrates 20 Years as Independent Federal Agency USNewsWire (USA) - Dec 28, 2004:
On December 9, NCD released its annual report, National Disability Policy: A Progress Report. The report covers the period from December 2002 through December 2003. It reviews federal policy activities by issue areas, notes input by other federal agencies on their progress where it has occurred, and makes further recommendations where necessary, primarily to the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government.
Dealing with a disability NWITimes (USA) - Dec 27, 2004:
Amanda Ewing, Ryan Peck, Jared Arambula and Gabrielle Wilson do not define their lives by their disabilities. Instead, they find the determination to uncover their talents. They don't let sadness get in the way of living.
Holiday Toy Guide Helps Shoppers Find the Best Gifts for Children with Disabilities American Foundation for the Blind (INTERNATIONAL - USA) - Dec 22, 2004:
Finding the perfect gift for a child who has a disability can be challenging, which is why the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) teamed up with the Toy Industry Foundation, Inc. and the Alliance for Technology Access to produce Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs.
Disability Lawsuit KAKE.com (USA) - Dec 21, 2004:
The city of Wichita will have to spend big bucks to make sure all of it's buildings are accessible to people with disabilities, after the city council settles a lawsuit brought by an advocacy group for the disabled.
Disability Advocates Say ADA Needs to Get Back on Track CivilRights.org (USA) - Dec 15, 2004:
A series of negative Supreme Court decisions has derailed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from its core objectives, according to a new report by the National Council on Disability (NCD), the organization that first proposed an ADA.
Editorial: 'Coming of age' The Journal News (USA) - Dec 15, 2004:
A job. A place to live. Fun. The Journal News' three-day series, "Coming of age: The new life of the developmentally disabled,'' which concluded yesterday, reveals the tenacity of developmentally disabled young adults, their families and advocates who fought on their behalf, and won. The result: rightful places in society where they can work, live comfortably and enjoy themselves. Simple goals not so simply achieved.
Developmentally disabled find fun outside the mainstream The Journal News (USA) - Dec 14, 2004:
Scarfone is one of a few who have been interested in mainstream recreational activities, though more are beginning to show interest, said Dawn Calle of South East Consortium For Special Services. "The most important thing is for them to have a successful experience."
JHA Announces the 12th Annual Dynamics of Disability Seminar MySan.de (USA) - Dec 13, 2004:
The seminar brings together disability experts and industry executives for an exploration of the opportunities and challenges facing the disability marketplace today.
Progress in
Disability Policy USNewsWire (USA) - Dec 9, 2004:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released its annual report, National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, noting progress has been made, but gaps remain.
The report covers the period from December 2002 through December 2003. It reviews federal policy activities by issue areas, notes input by other federal agencies on their progress where it has occurred, and makes further recommendations where necessary, primarily to the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government.
Top Ten Tips: Selecting Holiday Toys for a Child with a Disability Business Wire (USA) - Dec 6, 2004:
Help is available from Lekotek in the form of a special "Top Ten" list that serves as a primer on successful toy-buying. Here are the questions that Lekotek play experts ask when choosing developmentally appropriate toys.
National Council on Disability Calls for Changes to Americans with Disabilities Act USNewsWire (USA) - Dec 1, 2004:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today called on the Administration and Congress to support legislation that will "right" the course of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and protect the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Disability management: Helping people leave the sidelines Seattle Times (USA) - Oct 31, 2004:
Disability management is growing as employers look for ways to increase productivity. Direct and indirect absences add up to 15 percent of payroll costs, according to a study by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Disabled describe barriers to voting Register-Guard (USA) - Oct 30, 2004:
But not all people with disabilities are able to overcome the accessibility barriers that impede voters in almost every state. A recent poll by the National Organization on Disability found that 21 percent of adults with disabilities - more than 8 million potential voters - were unable to cast their ballots in past presidential and congressional elections because of barriers they faced at the polls or in getting there.
EEO hosts disability employment awareness observance Belvoir Eagle (USA) - Oct 28, 2004:
How do you properly accommodate a disabled employee? The Equal Employment Opportunity office answered that question in a workshop and disability employment awareness observance held at the Community Club Oct. 21.
HHS Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month Yahoo! News (USA) - Oct 25, 2004:
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Margaret Giannini, M.D., Director, Office on Disability, will host a celebration to commemorate October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
SPEAKER UPDATE: Government, Industry, and Consumers to Address Universal Design at National Council on Disability News Conference USNewsWire (USA) - Oct 25, 2004:
Through its report, Design for Inclusion: Creating a New Marketplace, NCD aims to educate designers and manufacturers of ATM machines, cell phones, distance learning software, personal digital assistants, televisions, and voice recognition software about how electronic and information technology intersects with the needs of people with disabilities.
Speakers include:.....
Christopher Reeve and disability rights Workers.org (USA) - Oct 28, 2004:
Film star and disabled-rights activist Christopher Reeve died Oct. 11 at age 52. His death highlighted not only his substantial contributions to the cause of disability rights, but the plight of disabled people generally. It also underlined the distorted priorities and policies of the U.S. government and the health-care system here.
Ms. Wheelchair New York named TroyRecord (USA) - Oct 24, 2004:
Is it reasonable behavior to pat a stranger on the head just because, from their position seated in a wheelchair, the top of their head is at waist level?
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2004 Whitehouse.gov (USA) - Oct 21, 2004:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 2004 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Kicks Off 6th Annual Disability Mentoring Day USNewsWire (USA) - Oct 20, 2004:
Disability Mentoring Day is held on the third Wednesday of Oct., during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Secretary Chao selected "You're Hired! Success Knows No Limitations!" as the official theme for 2004 to focus on the full inclusion of people with disabilities into the 21st Century workforce.
Social Security overpaid $1b on disability, GAO says Boston.com (USA) - Oct 19, 2004:
The Social Security Administration overpaid nearly $1 billion in disability payments last year, frequently sending checks to people who had returned to work, investigators said yesterday.
Sprint Employee Honored by National Business & Disability Council PRNewsWire (USA) - Oct 18, 2004:
Sprint Relay agent George Littlejohn, a 10-year employee of the
company, was honored with the prestigious Employee of the Year award.
Littlejohn is totally blind and works out of the Sprint Relay call center in
Independence, Mo.
SunTrust Commemorates National Disability Mentoring Day Yahoo! News (USA) - Oct 18, 2004:
On Wednesday, October 20, 2004, students and job seekers with disabilities are expected to commemorate National Disability Mentoring Day by participating in mentoring and recruiting activities at 12 SunTrust facilities in Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states as well as Washington, DC.
National Council on Disability to Release Universal Design Report USNewsWire (USA) - Oct 14, 2004:
Through its report, Design for Inclusion: Creating a New Marketplace, NCD aims to educate designers and manufacturers about how electronic and information technology intersects with the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Christopher Reeve's Legacy CBSNews (USA) - Oct 12, 2004:
Reeve championed breakthrough research into spinal cord injury, offering himself as a guinea pig for new therapies and vowing he would one day walk again.
Kerry Addressing Disability Issues Better than Bush, National Organization on Disability/Harris Survey Finds USNewsWire (USA) - Oct 8, 2004:
Asked which presidential candidate they believe is addressing the needs of people with disabilities as part of their campaign, 39 percent of all respondents to a recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) gave Senator John F. Kerry credit, compared to 22 percent for President George W. Bush. Ralph Nader was selected by five percent.
Court to Decide Disability Law on Cruise Ships Reuters (USA) - Sep 28, 2004:
The U.S. Supreme Court said on Tuesday it would decide whether the landmark federal civil rights law protecting people with disabilities from discrimination applied to companies that operate foreign cruise ships in U.S. waters.
Boy with disability banned from playground SeattlePI.com (USA) - Sept 22, 2004:
What started as a playground spat between school officials and the parents of a child with autistic-like behavior could end up having repercussions for the way school districts treat children with neurological disorders.
Support for disability lawsuit bill is limited The Tribune (USA) - Sept 15, 2004:
Rep. Lois Capps expresses reservations about the bill that would give businesses time before they're sued; Rep. Bill Thomas avoids backing it but generally welcomes fewer frivolous suits
Learning disabilities Arizona Central (USA) - Sept 13, 2004:
Detecting them key to success
Disability law center to re-open in Cedar The Spectrum (USA) - Sept 11, 2004:
Within a month, the Disability Law Center, with an expanded vision of creating a civil rights movement for those with disabilities, will re-open in Cedar City.
UPS hit with disability suit CNN (USA) - Sept 10, 2004:
United Parcel Service Inc. was hit with a lawsuit that claims the world's biggest package carrier violates U.S. disability laws in ways that leave some employees out of work, lawyers for the plaintiffs said Friday.
Disabled making gains in jobs Salt Lake Tribune (USA) - Sept 4, 2004:
Changing times: Overall employment for people with disabilities is unchanged, but young adults are climbing steadily in the workforce
Keep on keeping on: Disability community winning victories by fighting the good fight ABQTrib.com (USA) - Aug 31, 2004:
For more than two years, the disability community has been working toward the passage of "MiCASSA" - the Medicaid Community Attendant Services Act - which shifts Medicaid funding for nursing-home services to home-based community services.
Courthouses given disability warning Billings Gazette (USA) - Aug 14, 2004:
The Montana Advocacy Program, a nonprofit group that advocates for citizens with disabilities, is threatening to sue all counties that fail to make their courthouses accessible to people with disabilities.
Thirty counties across the state have already received letters from MAP detailing their courthouses' alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Acts.
Website chronicles history of disability rights and independent living movement UC Berkeley News (USA) - Aug 10, 2004:
Nearly 100 in-depth oral histories and a collection of unique archival materials documenting the disability rights and independent living movement are now available online through a new website hosted by the University of California, Berkeley.
Understanding the special-ed system Boston Globe (USA) - Aug 1, 2004:
If a child is diagnosed with a learning disability, his family has entered a branch of education that can bolster the child's abilities and launch him on a path to achieving -- but can also disintegrate into a fractious process that drives a wedge between educators and parents, even when everyone believes they're doing what's best for the child.
Disability law group targets Riverside, San Diego counties NCTimes.com (USA) - July 26, 2004:
Eve Hill, executive director for the Western Law Center for Disability Rights, said the group's presence will mean local efforts to fight discrimination against disabled children in schools, retrofit freeway call boxes so they are useful to the deaf and prevent cancer patients from losing jobs.
Presidential Order Establishes Interagency Coordinating Council for Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities USNewsWire (USA) - July 23, 2004:
"This is a significant accomplishment for Americans with disabilities and meets a critical need in the area of homeland security," said N.O.D. President Alan Reich. "To see this effort grow from an N.O.D.-led brainstorming meeting held in the wake of September 11, to this sweeping Executive Order three years later is a reflection of cooperation and of a commitment to ensure the safety of people with disabilities," Reich added.
Disability Rights Advocates Criticize Program WBAL TV News (USA) - July 19, 2004:
It is designed to help prepare students in foster care and group homes to enter public schools. But the group says it's illegal because it isolates them unnecessarily.
Horse show features riders who have overcome disability Chicago Daily Herald (USA) - July 19, 2004:
The Maple Park group provides therapy to children with physical, mental and developmental disabilities. Its various offerings, like horse riding and butterfly gardens, are structured to stimulate the senses.
17 National Disability Groups File Briefs in Case to Back Florida Law Protecting Terri Schiavo LifeSite (USA) - July 16, 2004:
On Monday July 12, disability advocates filed a friend of the court brief in a case that affects the rights of people with cognitive disabilities across Florida and, potentially, nationwide. The Disability Brief urges the state Supreme Court to reverse the lower court and uphold Terri Schiavo's right to food, water and rehabilitation.
Disability just another word to young athletes AZCentral.com (USA) - July 16, 2004:
Lucy Morgan describes herself as a normal teenage girl who likes to swim. In fact, you can speak with her for hours without hearing mention of her battle with cerebral palsy and the corresponding physical constraints.
National Council on Disability Celebrating Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary and Agency Independence USNewsWire (USA) - July 14, 2004:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) will highlight the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 20th anniversary of NCD as an independent federal agency at an invitation-only event on Saturday, July 24, 2004, from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Hilbert plans center for disability studies Buffalo Business First (USA) - Jul 9, 2004:
The program will be offered through the new human services and rehabilitation studies department, formerly the human services department.
First International Disability Pride Parade: Chicago, July 18 Yahoo! News (USA) - Jul 2, 2004:
How do you define "disability?" Some of those who see it as a natural part of human diversity, will be taking to the streets of Chicago this summer to drive home their point.
Survey finds the ADA hasn't improved lives USA Today (USA) - June 27, 2004:
Despite the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was designed to make their lives easier, there is growing pessimism among the disabled, suggests a new survey by an advocacy group.
The Disability Lobby and Voting New York Times (USA) - June 11, 2004:
Two obvious requirements for a fair election are that voters should have complete confidence about their ballots' being counted accurately and that everyone, including the disabled, should have access to the polls. It is hard to imagine advocates for those two goals fighting, but lately that seems to be what's happening.
Joint framework for partnership action on disability News-Medical.Net (USA) - June 10, 2004:
wo obvious requirements for a fair election are that voters should have complete confidence about their ballots' being counted accurately and that everyone, including the disabled, should have access to the polls. It is hard to imagine advocates for those two goals fighting, but lately that seems to be what's happening.
WAVE enriches lives of developmentally disabled Tallahassee Democrat (USA) - June 8, 2004:
Upon request of a friend, I attended a banquet one Thursday for a program called WAVE. Before that night, I had never heard of the program, and I am sure I was not alone. "WAVE" stands for "Workshop for Adult Vocational Enrichment." According to the slogan, it is a nonprofit organization that "proudly serves adults with developmental disabilities."
Disability dances to brothers' tune Salt Lake Tribune (USA) - June 6, 2004:
The piece is called "I've Had It Up to Here," and Graham, a junior in the University of Utah Department of Modern Dance, is the choreographer. The brothers first performed the dance at the department's spring concert.
NDSA National Sports Festival for Athletes with Disability Returns Town Times (USA) - June 4, 2004:
The NDSA National Sports Festival will bring hundreds of athletes with disabilities from across the United States to Connecticut College in New London to compete in national championships, as well as junior and open competitions, June 21through June 26.
Frank sexuality, creativity are exposed in disability films SFGate.com (USA) - June 4, 2004:
Every year, the Superfest disability film festival gets a few entries from well-meaning filmmakers that are filled with dry statistics, patronizing case studies or clinical interviews with experts.
Advocates for the disabled investigate abuse allegations AZCentral (USA) - May 29, 2004:
The Arizona Center for Disability is investigating sexual abuse allegations involving aides who worked with special education students.
The Supreme Court Hands Down a Key Federalism/Disability Law Decision FindLaw's Writ (USA) - May 27, 2004:
The alleged facts of the case are rather compelling: George Lane, a paraplegic, was charged in Tennessee with a crime. As a result, he was required to appear in a courtroom on the second floor of a county courthouse that had no elevator.
The first time he appeared, Lane had to literally crawl up two flights of stairs to reach the courtroom. At a later hearing, he refused to crawl again, and refused also to permit court officers to carry him up the stairs - expressing concern for his physical well-being should he be dropped or mishandled. As a result, he missed this second hearing, and was arrested for failure to appear.
Film festival highlights people with disabilities News8Austin (USA) - May 24, 2004:
The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities is ready to get the projector rolling for its first Cinema disABILITY Film Festival. Event organizers hope the festival will challenge and dispel long-held beliefs about disability.
National Organization on Disability Launches Benchmark Quadrennial Survey USNewsWire (USA) - May 21, 2004:
The survey also looks at issues of specific concern to people with disabilities, such as the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on their lives, and issues concerning access. This year's survey will be expanded to include questions regarding health care, finance and asset issues, and assistive technology.
Justices Find States Can Be Liable for Not Making Courthouses Accessible to Disabled New York Times (USA) - May 17, 2004:
States that fail to make their courthouses accessible to people with disabilities can be sued for damages under federal disability law, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday in a significant break from recent decisions that gave the states broad immunity from suit under various federal laws.
The Disability Movement Turns to Brains New York Times (USA) - May 9, 2004:
As the number of Americans with brain disorders grows, so has skepticism toward the grab bag of syndromes they are being tagged with, from A.D.D. to Asperger's to bipolar I, II or III.
Inclusive designs benefit everybody The Arizona Republic (USA) - May 9, 2004:
Throughout the nation, homes are being built according to a new set of standards designed to make them more accessible to all Americans. The per-square-foot costs for these innovations are trivial to both builder and buyer. Yet the benefits flow to many.
Computer, gifts help make teen's wait bearable Kansas.com (USA) - May 7, 2004:
Dominique, 16, is disabled and mostly homebound by neurofibromatosis, a form of nerve tumor that causes disfigurement and damage to her spine. Because of her frail condition, she can't attend school and has little contact with others her own age.
Learning Disability May Actually Be A Vision Problem NBC10.com (USA) - May 5, 2004:
Many children who seem to be learning-disabled may actually have a correctable vision problem. The problem is that a regular eye test can't catch it, but there are some clues if you know what to look for.
Disability group sues cab companies over accessibility Salt Lake Tribune (USA) - May 4, 2004:
The group -- the Disabled Rights Action Committee -- contends that Salt Lake City companies City Cab, Ute Cab and Yellow Cab have failed to update their fleet of taxis with "paratransit" vehicles, capable of transporting passengers in motorized wheelchairs and scooters.
Non-citizen refugees face loss of disability aid Mercury News (USA) - April 27, 2004:
The refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Bosnia were given seven years by the federal government to get their citizenship or be cut off from Supplemental Security Income, a federal assistance program for the disabled and sick.
Disability center celebrates opening Arizona Daily Wildcat (USA) - April 27, 2004:
The Disability Resource Center in the Highland Commons building celebrated its grand opening yesterday, and officials at the ceremony said they hope the new center will improve the quality of academic life for UA students with disabilities.
Aiding assistive technology (University of Buffalo Reporter (USA) - April 22, 2004):
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T_RERC) at UB has received a $4.75 million, five-year grant from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to research, evaluate, transfer and commercialize assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
Bill to change disability law (News First (USA) - April 20, 2004):
A Pueblo man, who lost both of his arms in an accident at the Rocky Mountain Steel Mills, could get some help from state lawmakers.
Disability Week Hosts Lectures, Wheelchair Fun (Daily Nexus (USA) - April 19, 2004):
The Associated Students Commission on Disability Access (CODA) has organized a series of events this week to inform the general public about everyday physical and social barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
Disability no bar to activist's work (Express-Times (USA) - April 18, 2004):
Nadine Loane doesn't let her disability or the possibility her job may run out of funding prevent her from working to improve her community.
DAVID P. RUNDLE: TIME PASSES, BUT LITTLE CHANGES FOR DISABLED (Wichita Eagle (USA) - April 18, 2004):
...A key event was my involvement with a task force charged with helping write a plan to make the city of Wichita's mass transit system accessible to the disabled.
Brain Research Pioneer's Long-lost Letters Provide Hope for the Learning Disabled (PRWeb (USA) - April 17, 2004):
In the midst of her most productive decade of work, the 1970s, Dr. Ayres found time to write letters to her learning-disabled nephew, Philip Erwin, describing why his brain functioned as it did and how he was benefiting from therapy.
U.S. sues N.Y. over disability voting (Washington Times (USA) - April 15, 2004):
The U.S. Justice Department has filed suit against the New York university system for allegedly violating the voting rights of disabled students.
New study looks for ways to delay disability in older adults (EurekAlert (USA) - April 14, 2004):
People over age 70 represent the fastest growing segment of the United States population. Learning how to prevent or delay age-related disability in this age group is the focus of a National Institute on Aging study being led by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Blind Parents Accuse Alabama of Discrimination (Fox News (USA) - April 12, 2004):
DHR officials say social workers examine behavior — not disability — when determining whether a child should be removed from the home.
Disability doesn't stop wrestler from excelling (Salt Lake Tribune (USA) - April 1, 2004):
When Kyle Maynard started wrestling in the sixth grade, he just wanted to win one match. He wasn't daunted by his limitations: He was born with stumps for arms and legs.
Phoenix Accepts National Organization on Disability's $25,000 Accessible America Award Today; Tops in Disability Friendliness (USNewsWire (USA) - March 30, 2004):
The state capital and largest city in Arizona is being heralded as a model for its focus on disability issues and its successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for citizens and visitors who have disabilities. According to the Census, more than 17 percent of the city's 1.3 million residents have physical, mental, sensory or psychiatric disabilities.
