Accessibility

On January 19, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced today that its Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of the Treasury, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) will jointly issue a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting public input as the federal government reviews the effectiveness of existing reporting and disclosure requirements for retirement plans, as required by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code include requirements on the information about retirement plan benefits and features that must be reported to the agencies and provided to plan participants and beneficiaries. In the SECURE 2.0 Act, Congress directed the age

USAging recently released an action guide designed to provide approaches for aging, disability, and health organizations to build partnerships with the housing sector for home modifications, repairs, and weatherization services. These partnerships aim to improve the accessibility and safety of existing housing and support community living for older adults and people with disabilities. The report highlights housing organizations that currently promote home modifications, outlines essential steps to foster successful partnerships, and provides practical strategies to identify common ground with the housing sector...

A new set of resources from the ODEP-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) explores disability in the context of broader diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. These resources discuss the critical role accommodations play in fostering a disability-inclusive workplace culture and centralize information available to help employers create a more equitable and accessible work environment. They also provide real-life examples of accommodations that were made by JAN customers...

In a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2023, President Biden acknowledged the significant contributions of disabled Americans to the nation's economy and emphasized the country's commitment to equal dignity, respect, and opportunities for all citizens. The proclamation highlights legislative milestones, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and addresses ongoing challenges, including lower employment rates and wage disparities for individuals with disabilities. President Biden outlines efforts to promote job opportunities, accessibility, and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of diversity and equity in the workforce while urging all Americans to support equal employment opportunities...

On July 20th, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled "Laying the Foundation: Housing Accessibility and Affordability for Older Adults and People with Disabilities." Led by Committee Chair Bob Casey (D-PA) and Ranking Member Mike Braun (R-IN), the committee was joined by four disability rights and housing experts to discuss the current state of affordable and accessible housing, regulatory and systemic barriers, and potential solutions, including: ...

This week CMS issued a final rule for the Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule which includes updates and policy changes for Medicare payments and other Part B issues. Some of the changes include expanding access to behavioral health services by allowing certain health practitioners to provide and manage a beneficiary’s behavioral health needs; extending several telehealth services that are temporarily available for the COVID-19 public health emergency at least through calendar year 2023; and clarifying payment for dental examinations and treatments in more circumstances, such as prior to organ transplants and certain cardiac procedures beginning in calendar year 2023.

NCOA's free BenefitsCheckUp tool, used to connect aging professionals and their community to benefits programs, has been updated to be more accessible. The new version of the tool includes details on 2,000 benefits in English and Spanish, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicare Savings Programs, Affordable Connectivity Program; free, confidential eligibility checks by program or category; and Personalized support via a call center, chat, email, and connections to local centers.

NCLER has released a Tip Sheet providing information about federal utility assistance programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, and others that can help keep older adults and individuals with serious illnesses safe and healthy.

CMS announced the 2022 Medicare & You Handbook will be available in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, as well as English and Spanish. Medicare & You is a resource designed to help Medicare enrollees make decisions about their coverage. The new Chinese version, along with Spanish, large print, audio book, and braille versions of Medicare & You are available on Medicare.gov.

NVISION Eye Centers have created a resource page designed to increase access to information on various methods, features, and tools that can be used to improve internet accessibility for the visually impaired. The webpage provides a practical, clear overview of assistive technology options including built-in computer tools, internet browser extensions, and phone apps. There is also a list of references provided on the webpage for independent research.