NCD Quarterly Meetings in Washington, DC

The National Council on Disability Needs Your Input—Economic Stimulus Package
NCD is interested in examples of expenditures from the economic stimulus package being put to use in each state, and how it is affecting people with disabilities. For example, the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency in Ohio is using stimulus money to hire retired VR counselors to handle the increased workload. If you know of other specific examples that will help people with disabilities, please send them to us at ncd@ncd.gov.

Future Quarterly Meetings
Summer 2009, July 20–22, Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN
Fall 2009, October 26–28, Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN
Winter 2010, January 19–21, Houston, TX
Spring 2010, April 26–28, Detroit, MI
Summer 2010, July 28–29, Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC, immediately following the National Summit on Disability Policy at the same location.
Please visit http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/quarterly/quarterly.htm for updated information about all meetings when it becomes available.

NRA TeleSeminar: Legislative Landscape Dr. Connie Garner

NRA-- Announcing a June 12, 2009, TeleSeminar with Dr. Connie Garner, Senior Disability Policy Advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The TeleSeminar will begin promptly at 1:00pm EST.

Dr. Garner will Keynote a TeleSeminar on the Legislative Landscape for 2009 and beyond on Friday, June 12, 2009. She will discuss several important legislative issues including, but not limited to, a report on the ongoing Congressional discussions on universal health care, as well as the forthcoming reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), with an emphasis on the programs administered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

This TeleSeminar will be two hours in length, with a half an hour devoted to a Q&A session. Mark your calendars now for this important TeleSeminar with one of the most informed individuals on Capitol Hill, Dr. Connie Garner. Registration information will be coming soon and available on our website: http://www.nationalrehab.org/.

ODEP Releases Roadmaps II

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Releases Roadmaps II for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities Through Accessible Technology

Roadmaps II is a report that looks at the issue of AT and employment from the perspective of AT service providers and disability stakeholders who work directly to assist individuals with disabilities. Find the report at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/index.htm

U.S. Department of Labor Rehab and Related Job s

Following is a very small sample of DOL jobs available around the country. Visit The Department of Labor on the web at http://www.dol.gov/ for a full listing, or call 1-800-439-1420.

Grants Management Specialist <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTQ2NDg1NCZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC00NjQ4NTQmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NDg4MTA0JmVtYWlsaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZleHRyYT0mJiY=&&&100&&&http://www.doors.dol.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=80510451&AVSDM=2009%2D04%2D17+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&vw=b&pg=1&sort=dt&jbf574=DL*&FedEmp=N&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=7d>
Human Resources Specialist <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTQ2NDg1NCZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC00NjQ4NTQmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NDg4MTA0JmVtYWlsaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZleHRyYT0mJiY=&&&101&&&http://www.doors.dol.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=80533696&AVSDM=2009%2D04%2D20+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&vw=b&pg=1&sort=dt&jbf574=DL*&FedEmp=N&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=7d>

Workforce Analyst <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTQ2NDg1NCZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC00NjQ4NTQmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NDg4MTA0JmVtYWlsaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZleHRyYT0mJiY=&&&105&&&http://www.doors.dol.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=80528235&AVSDM=2009%2D04%2D20+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&vw=b&pg=1&sort=dt&jbf574=DL*&FedEmp=N&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=7d>
Workers' Compensation Claims Examiner <http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTQ2NDg1NCZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC00NjQ4NTQmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NDg4MTA0JmVtYWlsaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZ1c2VyaWQ9Y2hlcnlsLmJhdGVzLWhhcnJpc0BuZHJuLm9yZyZleHRyYT0mJiY=&&&118&&&http://www.doors.dol.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=80559909&AVSDM=2009%2D04%2D21+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&vw=b&pg=1&sort=dt&jbf574=DL*&FedEmp=N&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&tm=7d>

IL Conversation Event: Veterans and Returning Veterans

You're Invited to join us in an Independent Living Conversation
April 29, 2009 3:00 - 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time
Call the APRIL Bridgeline number: 218.339.2699 - pin code 922899 This is not a toll free call. Your regular long distance charges will apply. There is no registration fee.
For more information, call or email: Kathy Hatch at
864.670.9283 voice/fax or kathatch@charter.net
Topic: "Veterans and Returning Veterans--Dealing with Their Unique Issues"

Print materials available on APRIL website - http://www.blogger.com/www.april-rural.org

Social Security Task Force Hearings

The House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee holds a hearing on Tuesday, April 28, at 2 p.m. on SSA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The link to the Hearing Advisory is:
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=7688

* Social Security Subcommittee Advisory No. SS-2 http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=7688
Congressman John S. Tanner (D-TN), Chairman, Subcommittee on Social Security, announced an oversight hearing on the progress made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in room B-318 Rayburn House Office Building, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
* Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Advisory No. ISFS-2 http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=7671
Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review the implementation and impact of the unemployment insurance (UI) provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Thursday, April 23, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in B-318 Rayburn House Office Building. Any individual or organization not scheduled to appear may submit a written statement for consideration by the Subcommittee and for inclusion in the record of the hearing.
* Full Committee Advisory No. FC-7
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=7670
House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) announced today that the Committee will hold another hearing in the series on reforming the health insurance market. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in the main committee hearing room, 1100 Longworth House Office Building.

Washington Wire- Reauthorization of WIA

NRA WASHINGTON WIRE--

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (the HELP Committee) has been conducting on a bipartisan basis a series of "Listening Sessions" on WIA to which all stakeholders -- and principally the mandatory partners -- have been invited. The National Rehabilitation Association has participated in several of these "Listening Sessions," the first on November 17, 2008. The National Rehabilitation Association also participated in the April 7, 2009 "Listening Session" of the HELP Committee which focused on the adult population, which included individuals with disabilities.

During this Listening Session and in November, NRA stressed the importance of proper training of rehabilitation counselors and all personnel involved in the provision of quality services and supports to individuals with disabilities. During the April 7 presentation we shared hard copies of NRA's 2009 Issues Statements which can be found at http://www.nationalrehab.org. NRA called particular attention to The Qualified Rehabilitation Professional, With an Emphasis on Valuing the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, citing the significant and positive relationship between the level of education of the rehabilitation counselor and the quality of consumer outcomes which is well-documented in this Issues Statement. We also shared once again our Issue Statement (which is the first of NRA's 2009 Issues Statements) on The Governors' Waiver Authority with both the Congressional staff and other advocates. This was partially in response to NRA's concern with the presentation that the National Governors' Association had made on April 7, on the importance of the flexibility of Governors in using WIA funds. We will continue to monitor this issue very closely and will advise you of developments in this regard should they affect the integrity and funding of the programs administered under the Rehabilitation Act. Those of you who attended NRA's 2009 Government Affairs Summit and for those of you who have attended NRA's Summits in the past, appreciate the importance of the art of effective advocacy. This year's Summit focused on the Three "R"s of Legislative Advocacy: Relationships; Return-on-Investment and Results."

The Senate HELP Committee has tentatively set a hearing on the reauthorization of WIA to occur on May 19, 2009. We will keep you advised of additional information in this regard and ask you once again to provide us with your current contact information, including e-mail address.

Mark your calendars for next year's 2010 Government Affairs Summit, which will begin on Sunday, March 7, continues on Monday, March 8, and culminates on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, with NRA's Day on the Hill. And, do remember that understanding the ways of Washington includes a focus on the importance of TITLES, TURF AND TAKING CREDIT.

NEW VR service Models with Individuals with Autism

The website of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders project is now open. You can access the site at:
http://www.autism.sedl.org/
The site contains information about the project's research and dissemination activities, resources available now and ones to be developed, webcast archives, and frequently asked questions. At the website you will also find a form that allows you to subscribe to the project's free E-newsletter. We are pleased to be opening this new website during April, Autism Awareness Month!

The website is a project of SEDL, a private, nonprofit education research, development, and dissemination (RD&D) corporation based in Austin, Texas.

Claypool Chosen as Director of Office on Disability

NRA-- HHS Names Henry Claypool As Director of Office on Disability
The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of Henry Claypool as director of the HHS Office on Disability. Mr. Claypool has 25 years of experience developing and implementing disability policy at the federal, state, and local levels, and he has personal experience with the nation’s health care system from the perspective of an individual with a disability.
“President Obama is committed to ensuring that the 54 million Americans with disabilities have an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream,” said HHS Chief of Staff Laura Petrou. “Henry Claypool is uniquely prepared to expand and improve services that will empower more Americans with disabilities.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve President Obama and the American people as we work together to make certain that Americans with disabilities have access to the services and supports they need to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of their communities,” said Mr. Claypool. “My commitment to working on behalf of Americans with disabilities is a deeply personal one.”
Mr. Claypool sustained a spinal injury more than 25 years ago. In the years following his injury, he relied on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, which enabled him to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado. After completing his degree, he spent five years working for a Center for Independent Living, after which he became the Director of the Disability Services office at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Mr. Claypool currently serves as the Policy Director at Independence Care System, a managed long-term care provider in New York City. Mr. Claypool has advised the federal government on disability policy for several years. From 1998-2002, he held various advisory positions at HHS, including Senior Advisor for Disability Policy to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during the Clinton administration. From 2005-2006, he served as a Senior Advisor in the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability and Income Support Programs. Mr. Claypool was also appointed by Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia to serve on the Commonwealth’s Health Reform Commission in 2007.
As Director of the Office on Disability, Mr. Claypool will serve as the primary advisor to the HHS Secretary on disability policy and will oversee the implementation of all HHS programs and initiatives pertaining to Americans with disabilities.

New Report on Housing Shortage for People with Disabilities

NRCA/Capitol Insider: Today the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force issued "Priced Out in 2008", a study which documents the severe housing affordability crisis facing over 4 million people with disabilities who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to live. The report compares monthly SSI payments to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents in all metropolitan statistical areas across the country. The national average rent for a one-bedroom unit was $749 per month (112.1% of monthly SSI payments) and the studio/efficiency unit rent was $663 per month (99.3% of monthly SSI income). The report can be accessed at: http://www.lifewithoutlimits.org/site/R?i=mFuoF6gYPBvbcrnV0LNxWQ..

Upcoming Disability Policy Seminar

From the NRCA Capitol Insider:
The 2009 Disability Policy Seminar Seminar is only two weeks away. Over 400 participants from more the 35 states, Canada, Australia and China have registered. For a state by state list of the registrants from your state: http://www.aucd.org/docs/policy/disability_policy_seminar_2009/registration_by_state.pdf Register online at:https://aaiddonline.aaidd.org/events/EV04EventDetail.aspx?eventID=1057

IG Reports on Impact of DDS Changes on SSA Benefits

From the NRCA Capitol Insider:
The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Michael J. Astrue, has written to several of the Nation's governors regarding the potential impact that furloughs, hiring freezes, and layoffs of state employees will have on people with disabilities filing applications for Social Security disability benefits. The federal government fully reimburses the states for their costs of running the disability determination services (DDS), where state employees evaluate initial claims for disability benefits. SSA's Inspector General has indicated that the furloughs could have a substantial effect on processing claims. Not only will claimants have to wait longer for decisions, but those who are found eligible will experience delay in receiving the benefits they need for daily expenses. In California alone, the Inspector General's report predicts a delay in $648,000 in benefits to new beneficiaries These delays are in addition to the long-standing backlog in disability decisions, particularly at the hearing level. The IG report can be found at:http://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF/A-01-09-29137.pdf

ICDR Seeks Input on Disability Research Topics

The Interagency Committee on Disability Research Seeks Recommendations on Emerging Disability Research Topics:

The ICDR Web site provides opportunity to vote and prioritize disability issues of greatest concern This year for the first time, the federally mandated Interagency ICDR is utilizing an innovative Web-based approach to collect online disability research comments to assist in developing a federal disability and rehabilitation 2010 research agenda. This technology-driven approach gives the public a three-week time frame from March 27th through April 17th to submit their recommendations. Visit http://www.icdr.us/stakeholders/index.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fstakeholders%2fS to comment.

Abilities Buzz Updates

Excitement is building for Abilities Expo/Metro New York that will bring the disability marketplace together for three days to see new products, learn about advances in technology and provide educational courses for professionals and consumers. The Expo and Conference will be held at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, NJ Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, 2009.
Other upcoming dates and locations for the Expo are:
Anaheim, CA May 29-31, 2009 Anaheim Convention Center
Chicago, IL June 25-27, 2009 Schaumburg Convention Center
Atlanta, GA November 5-7, 2009 Cobb Galleria Convention Center

Also from Abilities Buzz:
An Interview with President Obama
(White House Transcript) Gary Karp, a speaker at Ablities Expo, recently attended an event with President Obama to discuess what's happening with people with disabilities. (click here)

Nondisabled job seekers taking jobs of disabled
(CNN) Labor statistics show 14 percent unemployment rate among disabled workers. At all of the 2009 Abilities Expo events there will be an ADA Career Fair to help find jobs for people with disabilities. (click here)

2 Puppies Report for Duty at R.I. Veterans Home to be Trained to Assist Disabled Vets
(Providence Journal) Liberty, a 10-week-old yellow, Lab, sits among her new friends at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, in Britsol. Liberty will be trained to help disabled veterans with tasks such as flicking light switches and opening and closing doors. There will be several sessions on Canine Companions at the Abilities Expo conference program (click here)

Wheelchair wheelies: a Las Vegas teen breaks skate-park records--in a wheelchair (Science Weekly) Wearing a dirt-bike helmet and elbow pads, 17-year-old Aaron Fotheringham pulls up to the lip of a curved ramp at Doc Romeo Skate Park in Las Vegas, Nevada... The onlookers go wild. Aaron will be featured at Abilities Expo Southern California. (click here)

Housing Options for People with Disabilities in Stimulus

From Steve Gold at The Disability Odyssey continues:Housing Information: Omnibus Act and Stimulus Bill.Information Bulletin #282
Congress has $30 million for 2009 housing choice "Mainstream" vouchers to be used only for non-elderly people with disabilities. That's about 3,400 new vouchers - Mainstream Vouchers. These are competitive vouchers requiring application. Because these Mainstream vouchers are so competitive, advocates might want to consider the following:

• For those States that have received Money Follows the Person grants, a lot of new vouchers could be used to help people transition out of institutions- if your State and your Housing Authorities work together and apply.
• For those States that want to maximize the number of people who transition out of institutions, consider using these 2008 and 2009 Mainstream vouchers together with HOME's Tenant Based Rental Assistance vouchers. Work with your State and Housing Authorities to put together an intelligent package of a number of housing components to transition people out of institutions.

For more information, or for back issues of other Information Bulletins online, visit: http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.

NCD: More Fed Jobs for People with Disabilties

WASHINGTON VIA NRCA—The National Council on Disability (NCD) says current efforts to employ people with disabilities in the Federal Government have not worked well, and recommends reversing this trend in a new paper, "Federal Employment of People with Disabilities". It is available at: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2009/pdf/Federal_Employment_of_People_with_Disabilities.pdf), Recommendations include improved federal hiring and advancement of employees with disabilities. The paper also summarizes legal authority, policy guidance, federal responsibilities, barriers to hiring and advancement, provisions for reasonable accommodations, and agency initiatives.

April Edition of ODEP's Business Sense Available

From the Office of Disability Employment Policy - In Focus for United States Department of Labor:
The April edition of Business Sense is now available.
If you have questions about the U.S. Department of Labor's programs or services, please e-mail dolncc@dol.gov for assistance.
Visit us on the web at www.dol.gov.