THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2009
President Obama Commemorates Anniversary of Olmstead and Announces New Initiatives to Assist Americans with Disabilities
On the 10th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Olmstead v. L.C., President Barack Obama today celebrated that anniversary and launched "The Year of Community Living," a new effort to assist Americans with disabilities.
Specifically, the President has directed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to work together to identify ways to improve access to housing, community supports, and independent living arrangements. As part of this effort, later today, Secretaries Sebelius and Donovan will announce several new initiatives including details about increased numbers of Section 8 vouchers and enhanced interagency coordination to address this critical civil rights issue. The initiative also will include listening sessions conducted by HHS across the country to hear the voices and stories of Americans and to keep the President's pledge to be as open and transparent as possible.
“The Olmstead ruling was a critical step forward for our nation, articulating one of the most fundamental rights of Americans with disabilities: Having the choice to live independently,” said President Obama. “I am proud to launch this initiative to reaffirm my Administration's commitment to vigorous enforcement of civil rights for Americans with disabilities and to ensuring the fullest inclusion of all people in the life of our nation.”
In the Olmstead case, the Court held that the unjustified institutional isolation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since that time, progress has been made. Many individuals have successfully transitioned to community settings, but waiting lists for community services have grown considerably and many individuals who would like to receive community services are not able to obtain them.
To help remedy that problem, the Obama Administration provided over $140 million in the Recovery Act funding for independent living centers across the country. The Administration acknowledges that strides have been made, and knows and accepts that there is much work to do in order to maximize the choices and opportunities for individuals to receive long-term services and supports in institutional and community settings.
The President noted that his Administration looks forward to continued engagement with the disability community to achieve these goals.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
DRS re-opens services to all categories
DISABILITY AGENCY DIRECTOR REOPENS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO HUNDREDS OF OKLAHOMANS WITH DISABILITIES
OKLA. CITY – Hundreds of job-seeking Oklahomans with disabilities began receiving vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance when Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Director Mike O’Brien, Ed.D., reopened services on May 18 to those on a waiting list since Jan. 2007.
The agency’s efforts to control expenditures provided the funding required to open the waiting list. However, $7.6 million in one-time stimulus funding through the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” is expected to keep services open for all eligible Oklahomans for the next 12-15 months.
“The federal Rehabilitation Act, which governs our vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, requires us to control costs by delaying assistance to new applicants who are placed in three categories based on the significance of their disabilities,” Mike O’Brien said. “When we don’t have enough funds to serve everyone, the act requires that we serve those with the most significant disabilities on a priority basis because they need the most help with employment.”
At the time the waiting list opened on May 18, DRS was serving 12,442 clients with more significant barriers to employment and others who had employment plans in place when the waiting list began.
The group of 440 eligible applicants with disabilities categorized as less significant had to wait until funds were available to pay for their services.
“Reopening services to those on the waiting list is bringing people to our doors that our staff has wanted to help for a long time – individuals who generally need fewer services over a shorter period of time in order to successfully go to work because their disabilities are less severe.”
The state earns four federal match dollars for every state dollar appropriated for vocational rehabilitation and employment. The high match is an indication of strong federal support, allowing DRS to generate revenue by qualifying for federal funds that would otherwise go to other states.
“Our immediate goal is faster turnaround on job placement,” O’Brien said, but economic stimulus dollars will allow us to put money directly in the hands of local employers and non-profits, who will provide on-the-job training and permanent employment to Oklahomans with disabilities across the state.
“The first group of 440 from the waiting list is just the beginning,” O’Brien explained. “We expect many more individuals to apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance now that the services are open again to everyone who qualifies.”
In 2008, DRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services divisions provided counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services to 12,500 Oklahomans whose disabilities make it difficult to work. Federal reports show that 2,246 became employed and no longer needed DRS services. These individuals collectively earned $45.5 million and paid $6.8 million in taxes last year.
For more information about DRS services, visit www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.
OKLA. CITY – Hundreds of job-seeking Oklahomans with disabilities began receiving vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance when Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Director Mike O’Brien, Ed.D., reopened services on May 18 to those on a waiting list since Jan. 2007.
The agency’s efforts to control expenditures provided the funding required to open the waiting list. However, $7.6 million in one-time stimulus funding through the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” is expected to keep services open for all eligible Oklahomans for the next 12-15 months.
“The federal Rehabilitation Act, which governs our vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, requires us to control costs by delaying assistance to new applicants who are placed in three categories based on the significance of their disabilities,” Mike O’Brien said. “When we don’t have enough funds to serve everyone, the act requires that we serve those with the most significant disabilities on a priority basis because they need the most help with employment.”
At the time the waiting list opened on May 18, DRS was serving 12,442 clients with more significant barriers to employment and others who had employment plans in place when the waiting list began.
The group of 440 eligible applicants with disabilities categorized as less significant had to wait until funds were available to pay for their services.
“Reopening services to those on the waiting list is bringing people to our doors that our staff has wanted to help for a long time – individuals who generally need fewer services over a shorter period of time in order to successfully go to work because their disabilities are less severe.”
The state earns four federal match dollars for every state dollar appropriated for vocational rehabilitation and employment. The high match is an indication of strong federal support, allowing DRS to generate revenue by qualifying for federal funds that would otherwise go to other states.
“Our immediate goal is faster turnaround on job placement,” O’Brien said, but economic stimulus dollars will allow us to put money directly in the hands of local employers and non-profits, who will provide on-the-job training and permanent employment to Oklahomans with disabilities across the state.
“The first group of 440 from the waiting list is just the beginning,” O’Brien explained. “We expect many more individuals to apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance now that the services are open again to everyone who qualifies.”
In 2008, DRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services divisions provided counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services to 12,500 Oklahomans whose disabilities make it difficult to work. Federal reports show that 2,246 became employed and no longer needed DRS services. These individuals collectively earned $45.5 million and paid $6.8 million in taxes last year.
For more information about DRS services, visit www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.
New Directions Program for Children in Foster Care Starts June 25th
Below is info about a great program through the OU Health Science Center.
The New Directions Program will be starting their next group on Thursday, June 25, at 6:00p. They are prepared to have up to 16 children participate in the next group and need your help in getting out information and sending referrals their way in the next few weeks! Anyone can make a referral for services. Any and all help is great appreciated!
New Directions…
** Targets children ages 3-12 in foster care at least, in part, due to parental substance abuse, and their foster parents.
** Administers cognitive and developmental screenings
** Assesses current psychosocial functioning
** Is a combination of the Children’s Program (Jerry Moe) at the Betty Ford Center and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
** Is a 12-week group therapy program designed to help foster children and foster parents more effectively cope with the negative impact of parental substance abuse.
** Provides education and advocacy to foster parents in a supportive environment
** And is FREE, FREE, FREE!
Incentives for children and foster parents to participate include:
=>$10 Wal-Mart gift cards to foster parents and foster children for completing up to four assessments (up to $40)
=>Free childcare during group hours
=>Free light meal for families from 5:30p-6:00p on group days
=>Mileage reimbursement by OKDHS for up to 25 miles roundtrip, three times a month
=>Up to 18 hours of free CEUs for foster parents
To make a referral, contact: Susan Schmidt, Program coordinator
Phone: (405) 271-8858.
A downloadable referral form is also available on the New Directions website.
The New Directions Program will be starting their next group on Thursday, June 25, at 6:00p. They are prepared to have up to 16 children participate in the next group and need your help in getting out information and sending referrals their way in the next few weeks! Anyone can make a referral for services. Any and all help is great appreciated!
New Directions…
** Targets children ages 3-12 in foster care at least, in part, due to parental substance abuse, and their foster parents.
** Administers cognitive and developmental screenings
** Assesses current psychosocial functioning
** Is a combination of the Children’s Program (Jerry Moe) at the Betty Ford Center and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
** Is a 12-week group therapy program designed to help foster children and foster parents more effectively cope with the negative impact of parental substance abuse.
** Provides education and advocacy to foster parents in a supportive environment
** And is FREE, FREE, FREE!
Incentives for children and foster parents to participate include:
=>$10 Wal-Mart gift cards to foster parents and foster children for completing up to four assessments (up to $40)
=>Free childcare during group hours
=>Free light meal for families from 5:30p-6:00p on group days
=>Mileage reimbursement by OKDHS for up to 25 miles roundtrip, three times a month
=>Up to 18 hours of free CEUs for foster parents
To make a referral, contact: Susan Schmidt, Program coordinator
Phone: (405) 271-8858.
A downloadable referral form is also available on the New Directions website.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Communication Boards for Use in Emergency Situations
The staff at Temple University's Institue on Disabilities are now providing a new communication aid in English and in Spanish to assist people with complex communication needs to communicate during times of emergencies.
Emergency Communication 4 ALL communication aids can be downloaded free from the Institute on Disabilities’ website and can be used by individuals who have complex communication needs and by emergency response personnel in times of natural and man-made emergencies. Also, a limited number of durable boards are available for order.
If you need bookmarks informing others about these communication aids, you can request them by emailing the folks at Temple at IOD@temple.edu requesting the EmergencyCommunication 4 ALL bookmarks and noting your address and the number of bookmarks requested.
And be sure you scroll down the page at Temple's website to check out there article of "Tips for Communicating with Someone Who Needs Assistance".
Remember: Be Prepared for an Emergency!
Emergency Communication 4 ALL communication aids can be downloaded free from the Institute on Disabilities’ website and can be used by individuals who have complex communication needs and by emergency response personnel in times of natural and man-made emergencies. Also, a limited number of durable boards are available for order.
If you need bookmarks informing others about these communication aids, you can request them by emailing the folks at Temple at IOD@temple.edu requesting the EmergencyCommunication 4 ALL bookmarks and noting your address and the number of bookmarks requested.
And be sure you scroll down the page at Temple's website to check out there article of "Tips for Communicating with Someone Who Needs Assistance".
Remember: Be Prepared for an Emergency!
New Social Network for Cerebral Palsy Community
There is a new social network for people who are coping, either directly or indirectly, with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Social aims to be the online community where people can connect, share stories and understand the issues.
The site supports new media features like blog posting, photo, audio and video uploads and can be integrated with Twitter, FriendFeed and Skype, according to its founders.
Click here to check it out
Cerebral Palsy Social aims to be the online community where people can connect, share stories and understand the issues.
The site supports new media features like blog posting, photo, audio and video uploads and can be integrated with Twitter, FriendFeed and Skype, according to its founders.
Click here to check it out
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Free 2 week training: Accessible Instructional Materials and Social Media Tools.
The Family Center on Technology and Disability is pleased to provide a free, 2-week online summer institute, July 20-31, 2009. The Family Center's summer institutes have been extremely popular, connecting educators, disability professionals and parents throughout the country with leading national experts in assistive and instructional technologies.
This year's institute will have two learning strands: Accessible Instructional Materials and Social Media Tools.
Participants can register for continuing education units (CEUs). More information on each strand is provided below.
Click here to Register Online.
If you have additional questions
Email: fctd@aed.org
Call: Jackie Hess at (202)884-8217 or Ana Maria Gutierrez at (202)884-8068.
Accessible Instructional Materials
WMA, DAISY, BRFŠ..... Do you find digital media options bewildering? You aren't alone. Navigating the world of accessible instructional materials can be confusing. From file formats to players to digital conversion and play-back, how does one make sense of it all? This strand of the FCTD's online summer institute will explain and explore the world of accessible media, including the laws designed to get instructional materials into the hands of students with print disabilities.
Participants will learn about digital formats, how to find and access digital books, and about software and hardware suitable for classroom, home, and therapeutic environments.
Social Media Tools
They're growing like topsy... Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and thousands of blogs, wikis, and related social media tools. When well used, they connect, inform, entertain, and educate. Whether you love them, hate them, or just can't be bothered, social media tools have changed the way Americans meet, communicate and collaborate. Educators and disability professionals have joined the fray, creating forums specific to their interests, including assistive and instructional technologies. If you're an experienced user of social media, we invite you to share your insights and resources. If you're quietly guarding the secret that you really have no idea what a wiki is, and Twittering...well, really; then this is the place to learn, in educator,parent, and disability professional friendly language.
Register for the Family Center on Technology and Disability's 2009 Summer Institute today!
This year's institute will have two learning strands: Accessible Instructional Materials and Social Media Tools.
Participants can register for continuing education units (CEUs). More information on each strand is provided below.
Click here to Register Online.
If you have additional questions
Email: fctd@aed.org
Call: Jackie Hess at (202)884-8217 or Ana Maria Gutierrez at (202)884-8068.
Accessible Instructional Materials
WMA, DAISY, BRFŠ..... Do you find digital media options bewildering? You aren't alone. Navigating the world of accessible instructional materials can be confusing. From file formats to players to digital conversion and play-back, how does one make sense of it all? This strand of the FCTD's online summer institute will explain and explore the world of accessible media, including the laws designed to get instructional materials into the hands of students with print disabilities.
Participants will learn about digital formats, how to find and access digital books, and about software and hardware suitable for classroom, home, and therapeutic environments.
Social Media Tools
They're growing like topsy... Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and thousands of blogs, wikis, and related social media tools. When well used, they connect, inform, entertain, and educate. Whether you love them, hate them, or just can't be bothered, social media tools have changed the way Americans meet, communicate and collaborate. Educators and disability professionals have joined the fray, creating forums specific to their interests, including assistive and instructional technologies. If you're an experienced user of social media, we invite you to share your insights and resources. If you're quietly guarding the secret that you really have no idea what a wiki is, and Twittering...well, really; then this is the place to learn, in educator,parent, and disability professional friendly language.
Register for the Family Center on Technology and Disability's 2009 Summer Institute today!
Check out this video clip from the Early Show as they discuss the trend toward requiring insurance companies to cover autism treatments such as ABA.
YouTube Video
Learn more about this issue and the federal legislation being considered -- the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 - Federal Autism Insurance Reform (S. 819, H.R. 2413) at AutismVotes.org
YouTube Video
Learn more about this issue and the federal legislation being considered -- the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 - Federal Autism Insurance Reform (S. 819, H.R. 2413) at AutismVotes.org
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