Gaps in Disaster Prep for People with Disabilities

FROM THE NRCA CAPITOL INSIDER--
The National Commission on Children and Disasters, appointed by the President in 2007, approved a report to the President and Congress that highlights on-going gaps in disaster preparedness for children since Hurricane Katrina five years ago. Although the report focuses on children, many of the identified gaps and over 100 recommendations pertain to individuals with disabilities as well. For example, the Commission found poor coordination among federal, state, and local programs and lack of preparedness in the private health care system.

The report calls for establishing regional Children's Disaster Coordinators (Regional Disability Coordinator job announcements were recently posted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency); giving priority to the needs of families with children who have disabilities in housing assistance; specifically addressing the evacuation and transportation needs of children with disabilities in congregate care settings, and creating a national data system for keeping track of evacuated children so that they can be reunited with their families.

The final report will be available in early October. For the executive summary of the report, see:
www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov

New EEOC Lawsuits

FROM THE NRCA CAPITOL INSIDER-
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two employment discrimination lawsuits under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. In the first lawsuit against ENGlobal Engineering, Inc., an energy engineering and professional services company, EEOC alleged the company fired an individual because it regarded him as having a disability. The employer insisted that the employee take a medical leave of absence when he began experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis even though he could still work. When the person returned to work with a doctor's clearance, ENGlobal falsely told him his position was no longer available. Three weeks later, the company hired someone else.

In the second employment discrimination lawsuit, EEOC alleged that DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Company refused to hire someone who had previously worked for the company because his wife had cancer which the company felt would interfere with his ability to do his job. The company later hired someone with no experience for the position. Discrimination based on association with a person who has a disability is prohibited under title I of the ADA.
See EEOC's press release at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-26-10.cfm

Special Edition of American Rehabilitation

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the public vocational rehabilitation program. Our program has a history of positive, creative change. To help celebrate this important milestone, RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge requested a Special Edition of the American Rehabilitation publication.

The theme for this publication is ‘Creating a Vision for 2020: Celebrating Our Past, Looking to the Future’. Partners included CSAVR, NIDRR, the ICDR, the ADA Network, and NRA.

Please go to the following link to view the Special Edition of American Rehabilitation: http://www.rehabnetwork.org/ Once there you will find the following versions:
1. The PDF file is the formal version, in full color, with photos, etc.
2. The word file is the accessible word version prepared by Suzanne Mitchell for individuals who cannot access the formal version.

CALL FOR ADARA AWARDS

Call for Nominations
ADARA AWARDS 2011

ADARA is calling for nominations for Biennial Awards to be presented at the 2011 Conference.

Boyce R. Williams Award is the highest award presented by ADARA in recognition of contributions toward improvement in the rehabilitation of people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.


Frederick C. Schreiber Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding
contributions to ADARA.


Eugene W. Petersen Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary direct service provision in the rehabilitation of Deaf adults with additional handicapping conditions.


Legislative Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated contributions related to
legislative activities that benefit Deaf, Late Deafened, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind individuals.


The deadline for all nominations is December, 2010

Nominations are accepted from any member of ADARA. All nominees must be members of ADARA in order to be selected.
All nominations must be submitted to Steve Hamerdinger via email at steve.hamerdinger@mh.alabama.gov , fax to 334.242.3025, or mail to Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Dept of Mental Health, PO Box 3011410, Montgomery, AL 36130.