News

Department of Justice Announces Plans to Prepare New ADA Regulations, By Department of Justice, July 23, 2010

Obama to Bypass Senate to Name Health Official, By Robert Pear, New York Times, July 06, 2010

New enforcement tools help fight health care fraud, By the Associated Press, May 13, 2010

GOP targets nominee to run health agency, By Susan Milligan, Boston Globe, May 13, 2010

Insurers At Odds With Government Over Details Of Mental Health Coverage, By Shawn Heasley, Disability Scoop, May 09, 2010

Little progress seen against health insurance fraud, By Brad Heath, USA TODAY, January 28, 2010

Promises, Promises: Polling places lack access, By Kimberly Hefling, the Associated Press, June 10, 2009

Obama health plan takes shape, By Carrie Budoff Brown, Politico, June 01, 2009

Kennedy Set to Include Disability Plan in Bill, By Laura Meckler, the Wall Street Journal, June 01, 2009

Legislation

Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (S. 3406 & H.R. 3195) a bill to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 became Public Law 110-325 on 9/25/2008.

The Community Choice Act (S. 683 & H.R. 1670): CCA would give individuals who receive Medicaid and who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care equal access to community-based services and supports.

Community First Choice (CFC) Medicaid State Option creates a new home and community-based service within the Medicaid state plan. There would be a 6% enhanced FMAP for states that select the CFC option to encourage them to break new ground and provide new, cost efficient methods of providing Medicaid long term services and supports.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007 (S 697 & H.R.3001) would establish a national long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become severely functionally impaired. To qualify for benefits, individuals must be 18 years old and have contributed to the program at least 5 years. All working adults will be automatically enrolled in the program, unless they choose not to be.

Empowered at Home Act of 2008 (S 3327) would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid program. The bill would improve the Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) state plan option by giving states more flexibility in determining eligibility and by increasing the services states can offer under the program. This is expected to create greater options for individuals in need of long-term services and supports. In return, states could no longer cap enrollment and services would have to be offered throughout the entire state. The bill also provides spousal impoverishment protections for the HCBS option; tax-related provisions to support caregivers and promote purchase of private long-term care insurance; and grants for states to invest in organizations and systems that can help to ensure a sufficient supply of workers, promote health and ensure more consumer-centered HCBS.

Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law  107-252 - HAVA requires state and local governments to make polling places accessible to voters with disabilities, including providing at least one voting system accessible to individuals with disabilities at each polling location, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.

Fair Home Health Care Act (S. 2061 & H.R. 3582), would require minimum wage and overtime pay protections for workers in the home health care industry.

Testimony regarding H.R. 3582, The Fair Home Health Care Act of 2007, Provided by Mike Oxford, Executive Director, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center

The Medicare Independent Living Act (H.R. 1809) would significantly improve community access for Medicare beneficiaries with mobility impairments by removing a discriminatory restriction that bases the coverage of mobility devices solely on an individual’s mobility needs inside their home.

The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 (H.R. 2895), would establish dedicated sources of funding for the production, preservation and rehabilitation of 1.5 million affordable homes over the next 10 years. At least 75% of the funds would be for housing for households that are extremely low income, earning less than 30% of an area’s median income.The provisions of this bill were enacted as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HR 3221).

Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 FAQ

Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R.1424) would require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans and prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment, and for other purposes.

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is a bill that will stop schools from restraining children, confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions to harm them. 

To contact your U.S. Senators or Representative go to the Congress.org Homepage and type your zip code in the box in the upper left-hand corner of the screen under the words "Write Your Officials". Just click on the arrow and you will be taken to a page with links to contact information for your Congressional delegation.

Advocacy Organizations and Informational Resources

The Access Board or Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board develops minimum guidelines and requirements for standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), develops accessibility guidelines for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment under the Telecommunications Act, provides technical assistance on those guidelines, and enforces the Architectural Barriers Act.

The ADA Home Page is the definitive source for information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ArchiveADA serves as a comprehensive, online archive of documents and history related to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA).  Here you can find the text of the law, legislative history, congressional hearings, Supreme Court cases, federal regulations, policy and advocacy documents and additional information related to the passage of the original ADA and the ADAAA.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are the federal agency responsible for administering the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), and several other health-related programs.

Disability.gov is the federal government's one-stop Web site for information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and many others.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strives to increase home ownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal civil rights laws dealing with employment and provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is one of 10 modal administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. FTA administers federal funding to support a variety of locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the U.S., including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, and people movers.

The Job Accommodation Network or JAN, is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and educating callers about self-employment options.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Medicaid is a Federal/State entitlement program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources.

The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.

The Social Security Administration pays retirement, disability and survivors benefits to workers and their families and administer the Supplemental Security Income program. We also issue Social Security numbers. See our Quick Guide to all Social Security services.

THOMAS is your one-stop resource for free access to federal legislative information.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), one of the largest health charities in America, strives to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. They serve people with disabilities and their families through the development of forward-thinking programs, information and referral service, legislative advocacy, technology initiatives and research.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program's Website is dedicated to providing information about veteran benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service to veterans, employers, and the general public.

Publications

JAN ADA Hot Links and Document Center links you to nearly every free publication on the ADA that is published by the federal government.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Summary by Kaiser Family Foundation, April 2010 - The summary of the new law, and changes made to the law by subsequent legislation, focuses on provisions to expand coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care delivery system.

Voters with Disabilities: More Polling Places Had No Potential Impediments Than in 2000, but Challenges Remain, GAO-09-685, June 2009 - This report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that access for voters with disabilities has improved since the 2000 election, but many problems remain.

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