In fiscal year 2006-2007, up to $1 million will be distributed to regional centers to fund projects designed to promote and enhance the health and wellness of people with developmental disabilities. As in previous years, DDS will allocate these funds through a Request For Proposals (RFP) process.

The RFP packets are being mailed to the regional centers in December of 2006 and funding decisions will be announced by April of 2007. Interested community parties must work in partnership with their local regional center in preparing and submitting a project proposal.

Details, including the funding packet, are available online at:
http://www.dds.ca.gov/wellness/wellnessfunding.cfm

The independent federal agency titled "National Council on Disability" (NCD) has been following court rulings concerning the ADA since it was signed into law (1990). Since the ADA was signed into law, there have been problematic rulings in regards to the ADA’s original intent. Since 2002, the NCD has been analyzing the problematic rulings (with regard to the ADA), the repercussions on people with disabilities, and suggestions on how to proceed getting the ADA back on track.

The current definition cites discrimination "against an individual with a disability." The new, proposed, definition would be "on the basis of disability." This proposed wording would put the ADA more on track with the Civil Rights Act that prohibit discrimination based on "race, color, religion, national origin and sex."

H.R. 6258 was introduced: To restore the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to more fully remove the barriers that confront disabled Americans.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) planned to change its policies regarding support of mobility coverage. This includes, but not limited to, wheelchairs, scooters, etc.

The Medicare reimbursement structure for power chairs and scooters would be lowered. Those companies supplying the equipment would not be able to cover their own costs in acquiring the equipment and servicing it. Thus, those requiring Medicare support for certain mobility devices will be forced to hire care takers or live in institutions.

The recent coverage determination could also implement a new interpretation of the "in the home" restriction by denying access to wheelchairs that have capabilities that are deemed unnecessary for indoor use.

"This is an intolerable situation that amounts to dismantling an important Medicare benefit for senior citizens and people living with disabilities" According to Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of AAPD.

Citation: AAPD News - Fall 2006

The AAPDhas posted a bulletin on their site regarding the changes to Medicare Issues. Please take a moment and visit the site.

I received an email and video that inspired me to post a story about it.

Rick was born in 1962 with cerebral palsy, quadriplegic and non-speaking. His father and mother, Dick and Judy, were told by doctors “He’ll be a vegetable for the rest of his life; put him in an institution.”

Dick and Judy never put Rick in an institution, instead they did all they could to help him. Dick and Judy soon realized there was a lot more going on in his brain than they were led to believe. They would tell him a joke and he would laugh.

Since then Dick and Rick’s lives have been forever changed, they’ve found bonding activities … marathons and triathlons. Dick pulls Rick through the races via a dinghy; during their running Rick says it makes him like he’s no longer disabled. They even have their own website (http://www.teamhoyt.com) dedicated to their activities and accomplishments.

While the story was originally published in 2005 by Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated, I could not find a link that did not require registration. However, the inspiring story has been around the Internet for quite some time and can be found with a quick search.

Mindy Bluman runs her own business advertising for local businesses. Despite her disability, she wants to be a community asset; Mindy distributes fliers and pamphlets for businesses wanting inexpensive marketing. Charging $12.99 per week, she rolls through various shopping centers and distributes about 100 fliers to locals.

If any local businesses are interested in hiring Mindy, she can be contacted at 707-391-3636.

In November, the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists (NABWIS) publicly announced its launch. NABWIS was created out of a necessity to help and educate to enter the workforce and become more independent and self-sufficient.

"I would love to try to work some but I’m afraid I would lose my health care and Social Security. The work incentives are just too complicated for me to understand…"

This program aims to train professionals to provide information and education to those using federal benefits to make better-informed choices for employment. This new program appears to be supplemental to the "Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act" of 1999.

The Social Security Administration has a page dedicated to the "Ticket to Work" program, which contains some basic information on how the Ticket to Work program works. It’s worth a read to get the facts.

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities has given the Area 1 Board funds to assist individuals in starting their own businesses. The eligibility is limited to clients of the Regional Centers of California and those having a traumatic brain injury (with the onset before age 22). The amount of the grants may be up to $5000 each.

If you have an idea for a business, please contact Anne at the Area 1 Board for more information.
(more…)

NorCal Disability

Northern California Disability News.

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