Category Archives: National News

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Report: Lack of transportation confines more than 500,000 people

By Andy Jones | Published: May 14, 2012
Amtrak Locomotive

Two disability advocacy groups released a new report May 8, calling on federal, state and local governments to dramatically expand transportation opportunities for people with disabilities.

“Access to transportation is a prerequisite to full civil rights for people with disabilities. …

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Disability-related housing discrimination claims soar

By Andy Jones | Published: May 14, 2012
Graphic of fair housing with bright colored housing

Nearly half of all housing complaints filed under the Fair Housing Act were based on disability related concerns, according to a new report from the National Fair Housing Alliance.

More than 27,000 complaints were filed nationwide last year under …

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Pulitzer Prize recognition puts disability coverage in the spotlight

By Andy Jones | Published: April 24, 2012
Gold Medal 2012

Two major investigations into the treatment of people with disabilities in assisted living facilities were finalists in the “Public Service” category of the Pulitzer Prizes, the nation’s most prestigious awards for excellence in journalism.

The New York Times was recognized …

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DOE backs off proposed change to “maintenance of effort” rule

By Andy Jones | Published: April 24, 2012

 

The U.S. Department of Education has decided it will not implement a proposed change to how school districts fund special education, following an outcry from special education advocates since the plan was released last summer, according to an article…

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Obama Administration announces new “Administration for Community Living”

By Andy Jones | Published: April 24, 2012
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, announced April 16 the creation of a new federal agency to oversee efforts on behalf of people with disabilities and the elderly.

The new agency, titled the the …

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Dozens of disabilities added to Social Security fast-track benefits process

By Andy Jones | Published: April 15, 2012
Social Security Administration Sign

The U.S. Social Security Administration is adding 52 new disabilities to its Compassionate Allowance conditions, making them eligible for a fast-track process for approving disability benefits.

The fast-track process allows people to obtain benefits within days, as opposed to months or …

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Report: Sheltered workshops “exploit” people with disabiliites

By Andy Jones | Published: April 8, 2012
Opportunity Ahead Road Sign

The National Disability Rights Network released a new report April 3 detailing how federal funding priorities entice states to funnel people with disabilities into sheltered workshop programs that segregate them from the regular workforce.

The report, titled “Beyond Segregated and …

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Supreme Court: HIV-positive man can’t recover for emotional damages from medical disclosure

By Andy Jones | Published: April 3, 2012
Horizontal Full View of Supreme Court and Steps

In a case with far-reaching implications for government accountability for medical privacy violations, the Supreme Court, in a 5-3 opinion, ruled March 28 that federal executive agencies are immune from lawsuits alleging emotional distresses in the event that it illegally discloses …

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Bill proposed to expand funding options for veterans with children with disabilities

By Andy Jones | Published: April 3, 2012
Military Family - couple with child

Five House Democrats unveiled a bill April 1 that would allow veterans to divert a portion of their retirement benefits to set up a fund for their special needs children.

“As a father of a special needs child, I know …

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