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National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin June 2009

The National Council on Disability brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. In this report, NCD offers information and advice to assist all levels of government in its work to establish evidence-based policies, programs and practices across the lifecycle of disasters.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security

NCD's latest report on emergency management and people with disabilities will be released on August 12, 2009 at the International Association of Emergency Managers' 2009 National Conference on Community Preparedness -- the Power of Citizen Corps at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. NCD Vice Chairperson Pat Pound will announce the release during her presentation at the conference.

In this report, NCD offers information and advice to assist all levels of government in its work to establish evidence-based policies, programs and practices across the lifecycle of disasters. This report provides examples of effective community efforts with respect to people with disabilities, and evaluates many emergency preparedness, disaster relief, and homeland security program efforts deployed by both public and private sectors.

NCD's recommendations are based on scientific research and thorough review of policies and practices that have been tested in emergencies of all types throughout the country. It is NCD's expectation that this report will promote a focused dialogue and communicate critical information to be used by those charged with protecting our nation's most vulnerable populations.

In the interim, for more information about people with disabilities and emergency management, please visit NCD's Lessons Learned page and NCD's 2005 report, Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning.

NCD to Announce Research/Funding Opportunity

NCD will soon announce a research/funding opportunity for a cooperative agreement to study "Improving Access to Health Care, Special Education, and Long-Term Services for Marine Corps Family Members with Disabilities."

Obtaining appropriate and effective specialized services for family members with disabilities can be especially challenging for U.S. Marine Corps families, who must relocate often, and who must draw upon military and civilian supports and services through a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. The U.S. Marine Corps recently instituted programmatic changes and increased funding for its Exceptional Family Members program, and is seeking advice on improving access to health care, special education, and long-term services for Marine Corps family members with disabilities.

NCD will enter into a cooperative agreement with a qualified entity or partnership to conduct a one-year project to study the unique challenges for Marine Corps families with disabilities in obtaining health care, special education, and long-term supports and services in the United States, and develop recommendations for improvements that will enhance the quality of life and opportunities for Marine Corps families with disabilities.

A Request for Applications will soon be posted at http://www.ncd.gov/resources_researchopps.htm.

2010 National Summit on Disability Policy Update

NCD's 2010 National Summit on Disability Policy Steering Committee has been hard at work with its staff and contractors as preparations continue for this landmark event. The invitation-only Summit will take place July 26-27, 2010, at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

The purpose of the Summit will be to discuss significant issues for all people with disabilities and develop policy recommendations for the next decade. It will also highlight the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Three-hundred people with disabilities and other stakeholders, including federal, community, and private sector disability experts, are expected to participate as delegates to this history-making summit.

Issue briefs or white papers being prepared in advance of the Summit will identify key factors surrounding important issues, and will become the foundation of discussion for Summit delegates as they develop future policy recommendations. Subjects include civil rights (including voting issues), employment (including asset accumulation and finance), disability statistics and data education, healthcare (including mental healthcare, i.e. whole health), homeland security (including emergency preparedness), housing, international issues, telecommunications and technology, and transportation.

A limited number of co-sponsorships are still available. Those interested in supporting this historic event should contact NCD Executive Director Mike Collins at ncd@ncd.gov or (202) 272-2004.

Current Issues

NCD's list of current and proposed research projects include studies and reports on:

* Current State of Healthcare for People with Disabilities
* Effective Emergency Preparedness Practices for Use by Communities and People with Disabilities
* National Disability Policy: A Progress Report
* Housing
* Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act: Implementation Evaluation and Recommendations for Reauthorization
* Workforce Infrastructure in Support of People with Disabilities: Matching Human Resources to Service Needs
* Accessibility of United States Overseas Development Projects and Embassies
* Improving Access to Health Care, Special Education, and Long-Term Services for Marine Corps Family Members with Disabilities
* Employment and Technology Study

New NCD Publications List by Subject

In an effort to make its Web site more accessible and user-friendly, NCD has added a new list of publications by subject since 2002. The subjects include the Americans with Disabilities Act, civil rights, disability statistics and research, education, emergency preparedness and homeland security, employment, healthcare, international, progress reports, technology, and transportation. We believe this will aid researchers in finding documents much quicker and easier. Future additions to this list will include all NCD reports produced since our establishment as an independent agency.

A publications list of all NCD documents arranged chronologically can be found at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/index.htm.

NCD Member Activities

NCD Vice Chairperson Chad Colley will attend FEMA's Special Conference for Emergency Management External Affairs Professionals at the Omni Interlocken Hotel June 23-24 in Denver, CO. The purpose of the conference is to bring together state external affairs personnel with staff from the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and other agencies to provide disaster case study panels, innovative ways to use social media tools, communicate to special needs populations, and engage the private sector.

NCD board member Kathy Martinez and NCD senior attorney advisor Joan Durocher participated in a panel titled, "The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," at the 2009 National Council on Independent Living Conference on June 5. The workshop featured a panel of experts renowned for their work on international disability concerns.

NCD board member Robert R. Davila, Ph.D. was the commencement speaker at the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, Illinois, on May 22. Dr. Davila also addressed 150 Gallaudet University alumni on June 6 at a conference for parents and school-aged children attending both mainstreamed and center schools for the deaf in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

All NCD Board Members are available to make presentations at conferences and meetings. Requests should be directed to John R. Vaughn, Chairperson, National Council on Disability, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004 or by email to ncd@ncd.gov.

Minneapolis Quarterly Meeting Update

NCD will conduct its next quarterly meeting at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2009, and ending at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. All times are Central Daylight Time.

NCD believes it is vital to hear from communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. This quarterly meeting will provide another opportunity for that exchange. The agenda includes, among other things, sessions on emergency preparedness, housing, workforce infrastructure, access to outdoor recreation, international development, the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act, strategic planning, and the 2010 National Summit on Disability Policy.

Specific times are designated to receive public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Individuals or organizations can also provide written comments by e-mail, fax, or mail. Public comment sessions will be held Monday, July 20, 11:30 a.m. until noon and on Tuesday, July 21, 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The toll-free call-in number is (888) 790-6568, and the pass code is "NCD Meeting."

NCD will also host a reception for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community at the hotel on Tuesday, July 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following the day's session. Additional details about the meeting will be posted on the NCD website as soon as they become available. You will also find the meeting agenda posted there approximately 10 days before the meeting.

Future Quarterly Meetings

Fall 2009, October 26-28, Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN

Winter 2010, January 19-21, Houston, TX

Spring 2010, April 26-28, Detroit, MI

Summer 2010, July 28-29, Washington, DC immediately following the National Summit on Disability Policy

Please visit NCD's Quarterly Meetings page for updated information about all meetings when it becomes available.

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