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| News |
| NCD Report on Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report entitled The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective. The report provides recommendations to improve housing opportunities for people with disabilities. The research contained in this report presents a comprehensive overview of the state of housing in the twenty-first century, and answers important questions about the current housing needs and options for people with disabilities living in the United States. For more information click here: http://www.disability.gov/housing/news_%26_events |
| Tough Times are no Reason to Abandon People with Disabilities As the relatively new director of a legal advocacy group for people with disabilities, I don't pretend to be an expert in North Carolina politics. I've been told that could take years - especially when it comes to the development of the state budget. What I do understand is political process. And I understand the role of the organization I direct, Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC), in that process. Our mission is to protect the rights and articulate the needs of people with disabilities. To do that according to North Carolina law, we have to be registered lobbyists. And, in a sense, we represent a "special interest." Our positions are shaped by our mandate to protect the rights of people with disabilities and to advocate for their need to receive services in a safe and therapeutic manner in environments of their choice. |
Harkin, Davis Set to Introduce ADAPT's Community Choice Act on March 24 |
| Individualized Funding Models Individualized funding initiatives exist internationally and across Canada under the guise of several different models and approaches. This document will identify the structures of these major models, and some of the problems or issues associated with individualized funding models. Click Here for Document |
| Pay limits raised for disabled workers: http://www.craconferences.com/resources/sib/Pay_limits_raised_for_disabled_workers.doc Under a new state program called Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities, Miller, 30, can increase his hours and pay at a hotel switchboard in downtown Raleigh without losing the Medicaid health insurance that pays for his kidney dialysis. |
| "The Case for Inclusion: 2008." http://www.ucp.org/uploads/Case_For_Inclusion_Report_2008.pdf This report ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia on how well they are providing community supports to Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities being served by Medicaid. North Carolina's ranking in this study is 35th in the United States. |
| Nursing Home Emancipation Barriers: http://www.theashevillecoalition.org/documents/Nursing_Home_Emancipation_Barriers.pdf In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to receive services in "...the most integrated setting." Since then, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and other disability advocacy organizations have worked to transition adults with disabilities from inappropriate nursing home placements to community living. |
| The Community Imperative: http://thechp.syr.edu/community_imperative.htm In 1979, the Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University wrote The Community Imperative, a declaration supporting the right of all people with disabilities to community living. The Center has reissued The Community Imperative in 2000 and invites endorsements from individuals and organizations. |
| Community for All" Tool Kit: Resources for Supporting Community Living http://thechp.syr.edu/toolkit/ |
| FEATURES Hidden Talent: http://www.govexec.com/features/1008-01/1008-01s3.htm Removing obstacles for workers with disabilities is about more than ramps and readers - it's about tapping the skills agencies need. |
| From www.ADAPT.org: Individuals in nursing homes, going to Court with assistance from AARP, P&a's and Social Justice lawyers, have won victories in Oregon, Illinois and Florida. (see short summaries below) Clay Freeman, a quadriplegic on a ventilator, won a Oregon District Court victory having his attendants being paid $3 more per hour than the negotiated rate between the Oregon Home Care Commission and SEIU. All of his new attendants will be trained and receive the same wage reimbursement. ILLINOIS The State of Illinois fought that the 5 individuals suing the state for access to community services were not a Class. The State of Illinois lost. CONCLUSION AND ORDER For the reasons set forth above, the court grants plaintiffs' motion [#9] and certifies the following class: "all Medicaid-eligible adults with disabilities in Cook County, Illinois, who are being, or may in the future be, unnecessarily confined to nursing facilities and who, with appropriate supports and services, may be able to live in a community setting." Dated: September 29, 2008 FLORIDA Clayton Griffin, 55, had a stroke 5 yrs ago. He has been in a nursing home since stroke. Since 10/07 he has told the nursing home he "desperately wanted out. The nursing home objected to Mr. Griffin leaving and threatened to discharge him AMA, because he could not afford attendant care and NH said he needed 24 hr services. He finally left the nursing home on June 9th. He initially got friends to provide PAS and then got Medicare attendant services for 40 days. Since August 14th he has paid $52 a day for four hours of PAS out of his pocket. He applied for Florida waiver services but told he was on waiting list. On September 30th in federal court in Florida he testified about the lack of privacy, dignity, indpendence in the nursing home. He told the court that since he has been in own apartment he has been cooking, shopping and going to church. He emphasized that he did NOT want to return to nursing home. His current attendant, who knew him in the nursing home, also testitifed that services Clayton receives in the community were exactly like those in NH. State testified that the MA per diem in NH was $175. *** Judge in Florida granted preliminary injunction ordering state to pay his $52 a day so he could stay in community. |
| AARP Rebalancing Report: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/2008_10_ltc.pdf This report examines the extent to which states have balanced the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports to people in their homes and similar settings in their communities as opposed to institutions. The paper also looks at what can be done under current Medicaid law and federal policy impact on these services. |
| Alliance for Full Participation: http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org In September 2005, over 2,400 Americans who live with lifelong disabilities, their family members, and the people who work along side of them came together in Washington, DC, to participate in a ground-breaking Summit.... |
| Housing & Disability Issues: (formerly NHOYO) is a moderated informational list. It consists of disability issues concerning, but not limited to: Individuals, Home ownership, and Affordable housing. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send an email message to: HOUSING.DISABILITY.ISSUES-request@lists.unh.edu Online Recording of NLIHC Explanation of Housing Trust Fund Available Click Here to listen to the call. |
| Conferences |
| 2008 AT Expo and Pre-Conference December 3-5: Click here for the conference program 2008 Global Forum for Inclusion: Click here for the conference program |
| Links |
| The Center for Housing and New Community Economics (CHANCE) http://chance.unh.edu/ The Center for Housing and New Community Economics (CHANCE) was established in March of 2001. CHANCE's mission is to improve and increase access to integrated, affordable, and accessible housing coordinated with, but separate from, personal assistance and supportive services. |
| http://www.foundationcenter.org/ Advocacy for deinstitutionalization: http://www.stevegoldada.com Direct Support Professionals: www.dswresourcecenter.org Disability Info: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/ The disabilityinfo.gov website, a collaborative product among twenty-two federal agencies, contains comprehensive information on cross-cutting issue areas including employment, benefits, housing, transportation, health care, education, civil rights and technology. In preparation for the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the site has been enhanced and updated. Changes include: over 2,000 new links to state-level resources; the State and Local Resources Map has been enhanced to offer greater access to information about programs and services; access to the quarterly newsletter; and answers to frequently asked questions about the DisabilityInfo website. |