Health and Disability News - Alaska - Disabled World
Disability News Alaska
Roundup of disability news and general information regarding the State of Alaska, includes facts, statistics, news, and information of interest to persons with disabilities residing in, or visiting the U.S. State of Alaska.
Alaska Disability Statistics - There are an estimated 91,000 people in the state of Alaska over the age of five who have a form of disability. Approximately 16,000, or 2.6% of the state's population, experience difficulties with performing activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or moving around inside of their homes. There are around 38,000 people in the state who have a form of work disability, and 30,000 people with disabilities in Alaska who are employed. Around 4,000 people with disabilities in the state are unemployed, while 27,000 are currently not in the workforce.
Alaska's new Social Security disability hearing office serves people appealing a denial of their applications for disability benefits. Previously, the wait time to see a disability hearing judge in Alaska could reach up to two years. The new system should cut that to under a year. The Anchorage-based office employs 13 people, including two administrative law judges, each judge will see eight to 10 people a day. The office will use teleconferencing systems to let people in Fairbanks appeal their cases more quickly as well.
Alaska Disability Resources
Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education - The Govenor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education was created to meet Alaska's diverse needs. - http://health.hss.state.ak.us/gcdse/
Assistive Technology Program - The Assistive Technology (AT) program was created in 1990 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to the State of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). - http://www.labor.state.ak.us/at/index.htm
Talking Book Center - The Alaska State Library Talking Book Center is a cooperative effort between the National Library Service and the Alaska State Library to provide print handicapped Alaskans with talking book and Braille service. - http://www.library.state.ak.us/dev/tbc.html
Arctic Access - Arctic Access is an Independent Living Center (ILC) operating in Kotzebue and Nome in northwestern Alaska. - http://www.arcticaccess.org/
Independent Living Center of Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, and Kodiak Island - "Promoting choice, independence, and quality of life for persons and families experiencing disability" - http://www.peninsulailc.org/
Juneau Alliance for Mental Health (JAMHI) - Juneau Alliance for Mental Health, Inc. is dedicated to the design and provision of efficient, effective, person-centered behavioral healthcare solutions and assisting individuals in maximizing recovery from mental health and co-occurring disorders. - http://www.jamhi.org/
Special Olympics Alaska – Special Olympics Alaska website with resource information, facts sheet, forms, and more. - http://www.specialolympicsalaska.org/
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Northwest Chapter - The Greater Northwest Chapter proudly serves more than 10,000 people with MS living in Alaska, Central and Western Washington. - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/WAS/index.aspx
To submit a news item for the state of Alaska see our guideline on Disabled World article submissions and we will consider adding your press release or contribution to our Alaskan disability news section.
Articles
| Pub. Date | Topic | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-04-29 | Individuals with Disabilities Equal Access to Transportation Services - Alaska | HHS Press Office |
