Physical Disabilities

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson released two papers titled Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities. <i>Barriers at Every Step</i> coupled with its companion report, <i>Guidance for Practitioners</i>, advance the consumer’s ability to verify – and furthers chances of eradicating – inequity in housing opportunities for persons with disabilities. This newly released study employs a number of newly developed, field-tested tools for measuring housing discrimination.

This event sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Commonwealth Fund gathered former Medicare and Medicaid and other health policy experts to mark the 40th anniversary of these two health care programs. Also shown at the briefing was a new documentary, Medicare and Medicaid at 40, about the history, politics and impact of Medicare and Medicaid that included perspectives from people involved in the original 1965 debate and implementation of the programs.

This tool kit was developed at the request of volunteers, advocates, self-advocates, and professionals concerned with preserving the remarkable progress made towards the inclusion of people with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities into the mainstream of community life in America. To fight disinformation and segregation, this tool kit provides the philosophy, policy and research rationale that supports community supports and services for all people with disabilities.

The ADRC in La Cross County, Wisconsin, is using this advertisement to inform the community about the ADRC program. Their Resource Center provides information and assistance by telephone 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.

The Minnesota ADRC utilizes the following two screening tools to assess the long term care needs of individuals and persons with developmental disabilities. Questions include general information, an assessment section, history and professional conclusions.

KaiserEDU.org is designed to provide students, faculty and others interested in learning about health policy easy access to the latest data, research, analysis, and developments in health policy. This site includes narrated slide tutorials, background reference libraries, and issue modules on current topics and policy debates.

This issue brief describes the implications of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 for consumers, state Medicaid agencies, health care providers, and the public and private entities that provide benefits counseling and supports to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) made a number of significant changes to law that affects ADRCs, most notably, MMA established prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.

The 2005 Annual Research Meeting is AcademyHealth's premier forum for health services research. More than 2,300 leading health services researchers and policymakers attended the meeting to hear the latest findings on critical health care delivery topics such as, Medicare, coverage & access, disparities, health information technology, long-term care, health care quality, and patient safety. Review the agenda and over 130 presentations covering 17 major areas of health services research & policy.

The Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL) prepared <i>A Consumer Guide for Planning Your Move from a Nursing Home</i>. This comprehensive guidebook assists with the relocation decisions as consumers transition from nursing homes into the community.

The Spring 2005 Issue of the Rap Sheet explores the amazing world of Assistive Technology. From simple modifications fashioned out of junk drawer contents to high tech talking computers, assistive technology enables individuals with disabilities to be more independent in their homes, at work, and in their communities. This issue identifies AT solutions, funding options and offers ways to resources.