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National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin - September 2009

National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for September 2009. This report focuses the nation's attention on the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, and provides information and recommendations that can help to eliminate health care inequities for people with disabilities.

National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for September 2009:

The "Bulletin," which is free of charge and at NCD's award-winning Web site (http://www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on "Online mailing list archives," select "NCD-NEWS-L," click on "Join or leave the list," then complete the short subscription form. Please send your editorial comments to "Bulletin" editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

NCD Bulletin

A Monthly Newsletter from the National Council on Disability (NCD)

An Independent Federal Agency

John R. Vaughn, Chairperson

September 2009

NCD Says Sweeping Emergency Management Changes Needed

NCD continued its rollout of Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements for Communities and People with Disabilities with a September 23 presentation by NCD Vice Chairperson Pat Pound at the Wireless Emergency Communications State of Technology Conference at Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center in Atlanta, GA.

NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn will also make a September 29 presentation on emergency management at the enAbled in Emergencies Conference at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport in Pennsylvania.

NCD, in partnership with the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, will also hold a Congressional briefing on the report on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Capitol Visitor Center (HVC-215) in Washington, DC. Space is limited and RSVPs are requested. The briefing will include an overview of the report's findings, promising practices, and suggested interventions and recommendations as well as a question and answer period. To RSVP, please send an email to Anne Sommers, NCD Legislative Affairs Specialist, at asommers@ncd.gov, and please note any accommodation requests you may have.

This report calls on federal, state, and local authorities to make sweeping changes in emergency management practices for people with disabilities. NCD's report offers information and advice to assist all levels of government in their work to establish evidence-based policies, programs, and practices across the life cycle of disasters.

Additional information about people with disabilities and emergency management can be found at NCD's Lessons Learned page and in NCD's 2005 report, Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning.

NCD to Release Health Care Recommendations

NCD will release its latest report, The Current State of Health Care for People with Disabilities, on the NCD Web site (www.ncd.gov) at 10:00 a.m. EDT on September 30, 2009.

This report focuses the nation's attention on the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, and provides information and recommendations that can help to eliminate health care inequities for people with disabilities.

This health care report also provides a road map for eliminating the pervasive barriers to health care for people with disabilities, which will improve the quality of life, productivity, and well-being of greater numbers of Americans as the nation's population ages.

National Summit on Disability Policy 2010--Application Deadline October 15!

The National Summit on Disability Policy 2010 will take place July 25-27, 2010, at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

This National Summit is an invitation-only, working meeting to develop recommendations to guide improvements in disability policy and programs for the next decade.

Hosted by NCD, this Summit commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Topics for discussion include the following 10 tracks:

* Civil Rights

* Education

* Emergency Management

* Employment

* Healthcare

* Housing

* International Affairs

* Statistics and Data

* Telecommunications and Technology

* Transportation

If you are interested in attending, NCD encourages everyone to review the participant information and complete an application before October 15, 2009. You don't want to be left out of this policy-producing event.

The Summit Selection Committee will select and invite delegates who include the full range of expertise and diversity. Space is limited to 300 delegates, so not all applicants will be accepted. Delegate invitations will be distributed starting in January 2010.

To help ensure full participation, a limited number of scholarships are available for consumer delegates (individuals with disabilities not representing an organization). The scholarship will cover hotel and a pro-rated per diem amount to assist with meals not covered as part of the Summit. Hotel and per diem assistance will be available for two or three days as needed. The delegate will be responsible for travel and other expenses. Accommodations required for participation during the meeting will be supplied. Lodging expenses for a personal care attendant traveling with the delegate may also be requested. Scholarships will be awarded upon request once delegate selection is complete.

For those interested in becoming sponsors, the National Summit offers a unique sponsorship opportunity that allows you to:

* Reach over 10,000 community organizations and individuals with disabilities by having your sponsorship displayed on notices publicizing the Summit.

* Reach over 300 national agencies and organizations by having your logo prominently displayed on Summit-related materials and at the meeting venue.

* Reach the wider network of the disability community by having your sponsorship recognized in meeting proceedings and documents with anticipated circulation throughout federal agencies, congressional offices, and the disability community.

* Enjoy the satisfaction of participating in and supporting an historic event.

You can select from a range of sponsorship levels offering varying benefits. Contact us at ncdsummit@neweditions.net or call 866-538-9521 ext. 103 to become part of this outstanding event.

Summit sponsors to date include NCD, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, Easter Seals Project ACTION, Federal Transit Administration; Inglis Foundation, Kessler Foundation, Suntrust, and more. Watch the Summit Web site as additional sponsors are posted.

National Disability Policy: A Progress Report

NCD is working with the Educational Policy Institute (EPI) to conduct the research necessary for NCD's Annual Disability Policy report to the President and Congress. The Progress Report covers major areas of public policy, as required by law. EPI will be assuring that the report assesses the status of the nation in achieving policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. Sources of data will include, but will not be limited to, recent federal legislation, regulations, policies, guidance, and other official agency statements; programs; case law; input received from the community and issue briefs.

The Progress Report will focus on the new and emerging issues impacting the lives of individuals with disabilities, including available data on health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, recreation, training, prevention, early intervention, and education. The report will recommendations changes in policy where they are due, including, but not limited to, recommendations for changes in legislation, regulations or programs, as appropriate, for improving opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities.

NCD Thanks Emerging Trends Public Consultation Participants

NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn issued a public thank you to all those who participated in NCD's emerging trends public consultation. Chairman Vaughn's thank you message follows:

"The response to NCD's emerging trends public consultation has been overwhelming. We are honored and grateful that so many people with disabilities have taken the opportunity to provide thoughtful input.

Your invaluable contributions will help us shape preparation of this year's National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, which is congressionally mandated in Title IV of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Specifically, our public consultation was an effort to meet the following process in this legislation:

. . ."In determining the issues to focus on and the findings, conclusions, and recommendations to include in the report, the National Council shall seek input from the public, particularly individuals with disabilities, representatives of organizations representing a broad range of individuals with disabilities, and organizations and agencies interested in individuals with disabilities..."

The report will be transmitted to the new President and Congress early next year. It will contain our collective thoughts and judgments and recommend to the Federal Government a blueprint for action to help ensure people with disabilities enjoy full inclusion into all aspects of society.

NCD Board Transition

On September 15, NCD Vice Chairperson Chad Colley resigned as an NCD board member to pursue other interests. He served for three years and was, among others things, chair of NCD's Finance Committee and served as co-chair of NCD's Homeland Security Committee. His leadership and dedication to the work of NCD served the Council and the community well. His advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities is second to none. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

NCD Awards Contracts

NCD is pleased to announce it has awarded the study, Towards the Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities: Examining the Accessibility of Overseas Facilities and Programs Funded by the United States, to Blue Law International LLP. Blue Law International is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with an extensive practice area in international disability development and programming. NCD's study will examine and review the accessibility of U.S.-funded overseas facilities and programs. The study will result in a legal analysis of inclusive development with an examination of accessibility across specified sectors of U.S.-funded overseas programs and accessibility assessments of selected U.S. embassies and missions. The study is expected to be completed within one year.

NCD is pleased to announce it has awarded the study, Keeping Up: Technology's Rapid Changes and Effects on People with Disabilities, to Georgia Tech Research Corporation. Georgia Tech has amassed significant project experience in areas related to the assessment, deployment and adoption of a wide range of technologies, including information and communication technologies (ICT), wireless technologies and applications, communication and new media products, and with respect to the accessibility and adoption of these technologies by people with disabilities. This study will result in a report that explores the utility and accessibility of a set of key digital technologies that can enhance social engagement, increase opportunities for workplace participation and heighten employment prospects for people with disabilities. The study will also be completed in one year.

NCD Current Issues

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

* Current State of Healthcare for People with Disabilities (releasing September 30, 2009)

* 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

* Keeping Up: Technology's Rapid Changes and Effects on People with Disabilities

NCD Member Activities

NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn presented welcoming remarks at the U.S. Business Leadership Network's 2009 Annual Conference, "Connecting the Dots: Business Solutions" held on September 15-18th at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Maryland.

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.

NCD to Conduct Nashville Meeting

NCD will host its next quarterly meeting at the Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2009, and ending at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. This meeting is open to the public.

NCD believes it is vital to hear from communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. This meeting will provide another opportunity for that exchange. The agenda will include, among other things, sessions on Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare, Housing, Workforce Infrastructure, International Development, Assistive Technology and Digital Media, the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act, the Marine Corps Research Project, and NCD's 2010 National Summit on Disability Policy.

Specific times are also 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. A public comment session will be held Monday, October 26, from 4:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. CDT. The toll-free call-in number is (888) 790-6568, and the pass code is "NCD Meeting."

NCD will also host a reception at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community on Tuesday, October 27 from noon until 2:00 p.m. Additional details about the meeting will be posted on the NCD Web site at www.ncd.gov as soon as they become available. You will also find the meeting agenda posted there approximately 10 days before the meeting is scheduled, and written comments for Council consideration can be submitted at any time by writing to ncd@ncd.gov.

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

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

About the NCD Bulletin

The Bulletin, which is also available at NCD's Web site, brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/, click on Online mailing list archives, select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or Leave the List, then complete the short subscription form.

Editorial comments can be sent to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley at mquigley@ncd.gov

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