Physical Disabilities

Four new guidance documents were released interpreting the DOT Americans with Disabilities Act Regulations. The documents carry out the ADA intent and its regulation to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities. The documents are titled: Origin to Destination Service; Full-Length, Level-Boarding Platforms in New Commuter and Intercity Rail Stations; Paratransit Requirements for §5311-Funded Fixed-Route Service Operated by Private Entities; Use of \"Segways\" on Transportation Vehicles.

This online publication was developed for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who direct their personal assistance services. The resource provides information on how to recruit and interview, how to check a candidate's background and references, and how to train new attendants. It outlines the rights of both caregivers and care recipients and covers topics like problem solving, conflict resolution, setting boundaries, and working with a PCA who may also be a friend or a relative.

The goal of the West Virginia Real Choice project is to create enduring improvements in community long-term support systems so that individuals of any age who have a disability or long-term illness have the choice and necessary supports to live and participate in their communities. The have created three position papers to present arguments for expanding the horizons of employment options, personal assistance programs, and waiting lists protocols.

The WV Real Choice program is providing incentive funding to parent/family based organizations. The funds will be awarded to organizations such as Parent Educator Resource Centers, WV Parent Training and Information, Family Resource Networks and other family-based organizations to implement best practices in middle and secondary education regarding youth transition that use a person-centered approach. This RFP is an great example for other states structuring similar requests.

This video was produced & directed by the Connecticut C-PASS grantee, UCONN Center on Disabilities, with assistance from consumers & PCAs participating in various HCBS waiver programs. Included are perspectives from individuals & family members representing various disabilities & ages, explaining why personal assistants are important parts of their daily lives, & why being a personal assistant can be a challenging and rewarding career. The recruitment tool will be available in various formats.

This newly released biennial study verifies that low-income people with disabilities are experiencing a national housing affordability crisis. The Priced Out in 2004 study compares the monthly SSI income of more than 4 million Americans with disabilities to the fair market rental rates for efficiencies and modest one-bedroom apartments in every housing market in the country. Review more facts, figures and examples about housing and the national rent increases which greatly exceed SSI Benefits.

This study describes the experiences of workers hired under consumer direction. The Cash and Counseling model does not appear to cause adverse consequences for the hired workers. Directly hired workers report high levels of job satisfaction and do not suffer physical or emotional hardship beyond what might be expected for individuals providing care to relatives. This report offers other information implications about consumers, their families and workers’ well-being.

This web site will help individuals who receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits, known as dual eligibles, their families and caregivers, and advocates for people with disabilities understand the new Medicare prescription drug coverage, called Part D. Part of the Medicaid Reference Desk, this web-tool also offers a timeline of key dates, a glossary of terms, information for making coverage decisions and tools for plan comparisons.

The state of Florida has offered a number of examples and samples of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between various state agencies. The roles and responsibilities of each party are set forth so that each party understands their functions in implementing the ADRC.

Health literacy can be defined as “the degree to which people can obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions. Awareness that people with low health literacy skills face difficulties accessing and navigating the health care system has prompted greater emphasis on making communications clear and easy-to-read. This issue brief offers recommendations and resources particularly for resource centers.