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This section lists information and links to disability-related news articles, press releases, and reports that have been published within the past two months. This information is provided as a public service by the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS). OLRS attempts to verify that the information provided is helpful for people with disabilities. However, OLRS does not guarantee that the information provided is accurate or right for the particular needs of the person.
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The National Council on Disability (NCD) recently submitted a report, The State of 21st Century Financial Incentives for Americans with Disabilities. The purpose of the report is to provide a "road map for equality of economic rights for people of all abilities, regardless of race or socioeconomic background." The report describes financial incentives, presents research findings in areas such as education and health care, details several state-level practices that affect asset development and wealth accumulation, and provides recommendations to "increase opportunities for people with disabilities to be fully involved in the economic mainstream of American society."
Read the report: The State of 21st Century Financial Incentives for Americans with Disabilities
[posted August 18, 2008]
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has posted on its Web site the transcript of comments made at the public hearing held on July 15, 2008 about the proposed amendments to its regulations implementing Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A rebroadcast of the hearing is also available with real-time captioning. The DOJ will continue to accept comments through August 18, 2008.
Read the transcript: Transcript of the Public Hearing on Notices of Proposed Rulemaking
View the rebroadcast: Public Hearing on Proposals to Amend Regulations under Titles II and III of the ADA Webcast
To read the proposed rules and submit comments: Regulations.gov
[posted August 7, 2008]
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The Arc of Ohio recently announced that it and disability advocates, administrators, and providers from across the state will gather on March 31 and April 1, 2009 for a collaborative legislative event. The gathering on March 31 will be held at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in Columbus with speakers and sessions on issues related to services and supports for people with disabilities and their families. On April 1, there will be a rally on the Ohio Statehouse Lawn. The autism community and the mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MRDD) community will join for this event rather than having two separate rallies for MRDD Awareness Month in March and Autism Awareness Month in April. Contact Jodi of The Arc of Ohio at 1-800-875-2723, ext. 110 if you or your organization would like to participate in the planning and sponsorship of this legislative event. The first organizational meeting will be held on August 28, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Columbus.
[posted July 31, 2008]
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The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Office of Ohio Health Plans will hold five public listening sessions throughout the state in August seeking input on Ohio's Medicaid Managed Care Program. ODJFS would like ideas about how to further its goals to (1) maximize the cost effectiveness of Medicaid managed care, (2) improve the quality of services and/or health outcomes for Medicaid consumers enrolled in managed care, and (3) maintain or improve consumer access to needed medical services. People who would like to speak at a session are asked to register in advance. Written comments are also accepted. The following is a schedule of the sessions.
For more information: ODJFS letter describing sessions (PDF file) or ODJFS - Ohio Medicaid
[posted July 30, 2008]
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Currently the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) has four different sets of client rights: (1) community mental health agencies, (2) private psychiatric inpatient units, (3) ODMH licensed residential facilities, and (4) behavioral healthcare organizations (state hospitals). ODMH is considering combining all four into one document and calling it a Bill of Rights. ODMH has developed a survey to gather input from people who are receiving services, their family members, and advocates on how to make it easier and clearer to understand client rights for the Bill of Rights. The survey ends August 15, 2008.
Learn more about the survey: Ohio Department of Mental Health - Client Rights and Advocacy
[posted July 30, 2008]
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The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) is holding public meetings (stakeholder meetings) in August to allow individuals with disabilities and others (family members, organizations, service providers, disability and rehabilitation research and policy groups, advocacy organizations) the opportunity to suggest ways to improve future disability and rehabilitation research to benefit individuals with disabilities. ICDR is also interested in hearing from individuals concerning how well the existing federal research programs are responding to the changing needs of individuals with disabilities. These comments can cover a wide range of research areas, including, but not limited to:
The meetings will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, August 13, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
To register to attend and/or provide testimony in person, by telephone, or via Webcast, see the ICDR Stakeholder Meeting Web site. For further information, please contact Carol Blachly at cblachly@cessi.net or visit the Web site.
[posted July 18, 2008]
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The latest edition of the Ohio Development Disabilities Council (ODDC) newsletter, DD Quarterly, offers many articles about issues relevant to Ohioans with developmental disabilities. Topics included in this issue cover community integration, self-determination, ODDC announcements, news from OLRS, upcoming events, and more. The DD Quarterly is produced for ODDC by the Ohio Legal Rights Service.
Read the newsletter: DD Quarterly Newsletter - Summer 2008
[posted July 17, 2008]
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The July 11, 2008 Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report highlighted a Wall Street Journal report about an agreement reached between the House and Senate on the policy framework for legislation that would require employers and health insurers to cover mental illnesses at the same level as physical illnesses. Kaiser reported that "negotiators said the agreement would cost about $1.3 billion over five years and $3.4 billion over 10 years, mostly because of lost tax revenue." The terms of the agreement will be set later in July.
Read the Kaiser report: Senate, House Reach Agreement on Policy Framework for Mental Health Parity Legislation
[posted July 15, 2008]
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Findings in a Families USA report show that most states fail to ensure affordable, adequate health care for consumers, according to an article in the Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage (OCHC) June newsletter. OCHC wrote about the Families USA report and highlighted several key issues:
The findings in the Families USA report are based on a survey of all state insurance departments, as well as a compilation of the laws that each state has in place to protect health care consumers. Data is provided for each state.
Read the report: Failing Grades: State Consumer Protections in the Individual Health Insurance Market
Read OCHC's newsletter article: Ohio Gets a Failing Grade in Providing Consumer Protections in the Individual Health Insurance Market
[posted July 14, 2008]
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report recommending improvements to states' mortality review process for individuals with developmental disabilities receiving Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS) waivers, including a process for reporting deaths to state protection and advocacy agencies like OLRS. The GAO visited four states, including Ohio, to gather detailed information on how each reviews deaths of individuals with developmental disabilities. Ohio was selected, according to the report, because the state has a well-established mortality review process. OLRS has been a member of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Mortality Review Committee since its inception.
[posted July 7, 2008]
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Christine Brown, owner of Brown-Cooley Associations in Self-Determination out of Fairfield County, and Ruben Garcia, an associate of Brown from Lucas County Ohio, are working together to create a statewide Speakers Bureau. They would like to interview self-advocates from throughout the state to become speakers for their speakers bureau.
The mission of the speakers bureau is "to have individuals going out across the state to raise the voice of local, county, state and legislative issues affecting the lives of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MRDD)." Brown and Garcia feel that the voices of people with disabilities in the MRDD system need to be improved and that individuals self-advocates are the best people to have as speakers since they live in the system, and know what it feels like, what is going well, and what needs improved or changed. The speakers bureau is planned to begin this year.
If you are interested in being a speaker, contact Christine Brown by phone at 740-653-2391.
[posted July 3, 2008]
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The Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) is conducting a national needs assessment to learn more about the types of response offered to persons with disabilities when they become crime victims. DPPC is conducting this survey under a cooperative agreement with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Both DPPC and OVC are interested in learning more about the services available to persons with disabilities throughout the United States. All survey information is voluntarily offered by the completing person or organization and all personal identification information gathered will be kept confidential by DPPC. Once the survey data is gathered and analyzed, aggregate information will be available for public dissemination. If you would like that information, please contact marilee.kenney-hunt@massmail.state.ma.us.
Take the survey: National Needs Assessment/Abuse Reporting for Persons with Disabilities
[posted July 3, 2008]
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The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. NCD is seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education. Comments are due by July 22, 2008.
For more information: Emerging Trends and People with Disabilities: Public Consultation
[posted July 1, 2008]
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The following announcement was provided by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council.
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) is currently seeking applicants for membership terms beginning in October, 2008. Council membership must comply with categories listed in the federal Development Disabilities Act. Openings this year will be for the following categories: a) two (2) individuals with a developmental disability, and/or b) two (2) parents or guardians of children with a developmental disability. It is possible that one (1) representative will also be selected from a non-governmental agency or private nonprofit group concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
All candidates for ODDC membership should have experience serving on committees, boards, or organizations. Such experience concerned with persons with developmental disabilities would be especially relevant. Applicants should have first-hand knowledge about developmental disabilities in Ohio.
It is very important that applicants have time to attend six meetings per year and serve on at least two committees. Each meeting of Council occurs over a two-day period.
Serving as a member of Council provides the opportunity to get involved and work in a collaborative manner with state and federal policymakers, state and local providers, and individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members. Council advocates to improve the system of supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and it conducts grant activities for the same purpose.
Governor Ted Strickland will appoint members for three-year terms beginning October 1, 2008 and ending September 30, 2011. Application packets are available from the ODDC office and must be completed and returned to the office by August 1, 2008. Applications may be requested:
[posted July 1, 2008]
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The Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy is seeking people with a sensory impairment and/or mobility impairment to participate in a research project. This research aims to understand what people with sensory and/or mobility impairments do in their daily lives, how their environments affect their community participation, and what help they need to complete activities. Eligibility requires that you:
If eligibility is established you will receive a code to log on to the survey site and complete the study. All information will be kept confidential and no connection between you and your survey answers will be made. Participants will be reimbursed by either a personal check or by a gift certificate to either Target or Walgreens, and may choose the method of reimbursement they prefer. The web-based assessment contains a set of two surveys and will take approximately one hour to complete.
Learn more about the study: Screener for Community Participation Study
[posted July 1, 2008]
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House Bill 3195, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restoration Act, passed the House on June 25 with a vote of 402 to 17. The ADA Restoration Act was originally introduced on July 26, 2007 with the purpose of strengthening the definition of disability so that the "severity test" of determining a disability was not as strict as it has been defined by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since the original ADA was passed in 1990, the Court's decisions have severely narrowed the definition of disability, thus limiting who can use the law to challenge discrimination. Cases have been dismissed on the definition of disability with the courts never addressing the discrimination claim.
Negotiations to accommodate the concerns of both the disability and business community were made on May 23, 2008. The negotiations led to draft language that was included in the House bill that was passed. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
[posted June 26, 2008]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued new regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act which prohibits discrimination by air carriers on the basis of disability. The new rule updates and reorganizes existing regulations which were first issued in 1990 and supplemented and clarified over the years, broadens coverage by applying the regulations to foreign carriers, and includes new provisions that address access for passengers who travel with medical oxygen. The updated regulations will take effect on May 13, 2009.
For more information: Access Currents Newsletter
[posted June 23, 2008]
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Negotiations between the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have reached an agreement for a final full mental health parity bill, in particular agreement on three key issues:
The compromise is expected to move quickly through both chambers.
For more information: Historic Agreement Reached on Mental Health Parity
[posted June 23, 2008]
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