Political, Voting, Legal, and ADA 

Legal (ADA)

DISD not meeting needs of disabled son DALLAS — Mason King has endured a lot, but his mom worries her six-year-old might not survive first grade. "If someone is not there to watch him — to make sure that trache is in — he could die," D'Anna Holmes said. "It's literally a hole in his neck that he breathes through." That's not all. Mason already beat liver cancer and has hearing loss, requiring special education. But Mason's mother says Dallas ISD isn't following federal law. The district is not providing a bus for her son, nor is there an aide in the classroom. . . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, Aug 29, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By WFAA - JASON WHITELY - Aug 26, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article ::: :::

 

ADA

ADA Birthday Celebrated On Thursday July, 26 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into being. 20 years later those with disabilities and others celebrated its birthday. Many individuals from around the United States had a hand in bringing this bill to light. The following video highlights this grand achievement, but also discusses the instrumental involvement of the State of Wisconsin. Video Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, Aug. 05, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By Timothy A Carey - Aug. 05, 2010 ::: View Video Article :::

 

The Law

Charges dropped against Tased teen TYBEE ISLAND, GA (WTOC) - The Tybee Police Department has dropped the disorderly conduct charge against 18-year-old Clifford Grevemburg, the autistic teen who was Tased by Tybee Island Police on the night of May 21. . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, June 27, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By WTOC - June 25, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article :::

 

Legal

The Fight for the Parental Rights of a Disabled Mother   Reuvi, Yossi and Esti are nearly 4. Their mother last saw them in when they were 17 months old. Abbie Dorn, 34, is the mother of triplets whom she has not seen in roughly two years. Following the birth of her triplets, Dorn suffered trauma to the brain which left her unable to talk or move on her own. Initially the father, Dan Dorn, would bring the children by the hospital to visit their mother. Abbie spent a year in the hospital after the delivery of the triplets. Then the visits began to dwindle until they eventually stopped altogether. Soon after Dan Dorn filed for divorce and told Abbie’s parents it was time for him to move on. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Tuesday, May 10, 2010) Article Posted By Marilyn Zamarripa And By Nadia in The Disability Discrimination, Disability News- April 14, 2010  View Entire Article  :::

 

100 Day Countdown

ADA's 20th Anniversary "We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." With these words (penned by George Bernard Shaw), we want to introduce you to 100 Days to the ADA, a countdown to the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The official countdown will begin on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Over the next four months, Disability.gov will explore one of our nation's most important civil rights achievements, including examining the ramifications of the ADA, historical points leading up to its creation and how supporting the rights of individuals with disabilities supports ALL Americans. We invite you to present your personal perspectives on how your life has been touched by the ADA and welcome ideas for new topics. . . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Tuesday, April 28, 2010) Article Posted By Marilyn Zamarripa By Disability.Blog -April 15, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article ::

 

Minnesota Protests

Winona disabled community protests Pawlenty's push to cut HHS budget Jordan joined about 200 members of the Winona-area disabled community to protest the proposed cuts Saturday at LaCanne Park in Goodview. The rally was organized by leaders of Winona ORC Industries, Home and Community Options, and the Winona County Developmental Achievement Center. . . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Thursday, April 19, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By Matt Christensen from  Winona Daily News -April 18, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article :::

 

HHS and HUD offer $40 in Housing Vouchers to PWD

HHS, HUD Partner to Allow Rental Assistance to Supporet Independent  Lliving for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities WASHINGTON – Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today. As part of President Obama’s Year of Community Living initiative, HHS and HUD collaborated to provide housing support for non-elderly persons with disabilities to live productive independent lives in their communities rather than in institutional settings.... . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Thursday, April 15, 2010) Article Posted By Marilyn Zamarripa By AAPD from  HUD Public Affairs -April 7, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article :::

 

Tax Tips for Disabled Taxpayers

Tax Deadline is Approaching As April 15th approaches, many are scrambling to find ways to deduct as much as possible on their taxes in order to pay less to Uncle Sam, or receive a bigger return from him. Filing taxes can be extremely tricky, and the average person is not very well educated in tax law. Surprisingly, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided a list of seven tax tips for taxpayers that are disabled. Taxpayers with disabilities and even those that are parents of children with disabilities may qualify for special tax credits and benefits. Listed below are some tax benefits and credits you may qualify for if you or someone else on your federal return is disabled... . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Thursday, April 8, 2010) Article Posted By Marilyn Zamarripa By Nadia in the Disablity Law -March 18, 2010 ::: View The Entire Article :::

 

Veterans Affairs

VA official: Disability claims system ‘cannot be fixed' Baling wire and bandages cannot save the veterans' disability claims process, the Veterans Affairs Department's chief technology officer said Thursday at a roundtable discussion about ways of cutting the growing backlog of claims and improving accuracy. "In my judgment, it cannot be fixed," said Peter Levin. "We need to build a new system, and that is exactly what we are going to do." Levin's comments came at a meeting organized by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee to toss around ideas for repairing a system that has a backlog of about 1.1 million claims awaiting decisions and an error rate on claims of 17 to 25 percent, depending on who is counting.. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Monday, Mar. 22, 2010) Article Posted By Marilyn Zamarripa And By Rick Maze • Mar. 18, 2010   View Entire Article  :::

 

Government

2010 Census: What Does it Mean for People with Disabilities? Data from the U.S. Census is used to assign congressional seats to states, and it directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments. Accurate counts impact several important programs and services that are critical to the disabled community. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Friday, March 19, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Ams Vans Blogs• Stacy • Feb. 01, 2010   View Entire Article  :::

 

ADA

Disabled worshippers struggle as many churches lack access ATLANTA — Among the most humbling moments being confined to an electric wheelchair came when Shawana Bulloch realized it could prevent her from attending services at her Savannah church. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Dionne Walker • The Associated Press • Jan. 14, 2010   View Entire Article  :::

 

ADA

Letters: Bars, restaurants must think of disabled patrons Recently, it seems many bars and restaurants are installing bar-height tables with chairs. While these may be suitable for many patrons, they're impossible or difficult to use by many others. This is especially true for people using wheelchairs or people who may have balance or mobility difficulties. Since 1990, with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, businesses have an obligation to remove architectural barriers (physical features) that limit or prevent people with disabilities from obtaining the goods or services that are offered. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Bruce Makholm• Disabled Citizens Inc. board of directors, Neenah • Dec. 15, 2009   View Entire Article  :::

 

Relationships and Legal

Disabled mom fighting to keep her son Can a quadriplegic woman be a good parent? Her ex-boyfriend filed a custody suit that says no Kaney O'Neill knows she has limits as a mother. The 31-year-old Des Plaines woman cannot walk, move her fingers independently or feel anything from the chest down. A decade ago, O'Neill was a Navy airman apprentice when she was knocked from a balcony during Hurricane Floyd, leaving her a quadriplegic. When she discovered she was pregnant last December, she felt fear and joy, a journey the Tribune chronicled in August. She quickly embraced the opportunity to raise a child, feeling she had the money and family support to make up for her paralysis. David Trais, her ex-boyfriend and the 49-year-old father of their now 5-month-old son, disagreed that she was up to the challenge. . . . More Article

(Article on DisabilityVoice, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009) Article Posted Here By Timothy A Carey The forgot By Sara Olkon- Chicago Tribune- Dec. 20, 2009  The Entire Article ::: Go to Socialization Section :::

 

Legal

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION $24 million settlement reached over disabled parking permits State settles class action lawsuit filed against the Department of Transportation. The State of Texas will pay $24 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed against the Department of Transportation more than a dozen years ago claiming that the $5 fee the state charged for disabled parking placards violated federal law. The settlement represents one of the largest — if not the largest — single checks the state has written to settle a legal claim, according to the comptroller's office. Although the settlement deal won't be finalized until . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Eric Dexheimer- AMERICAN-STATESMAN- Wed., Dec. 02, 2009  View Entire Article  :::

 

Legal Rights

Disability Rights Wisconsin Listening Session in Oshkosh Wisconsin and Timothy Carey's Account Written by Timothy A Carey- Dec. 06, 2009 On Friday December 4, 2009 I went to a listening session in Oshkosh Wisconsin for Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW). The meeting started at around 4:30 PM and went to about 6:40 PM. This is a meeting where the public can bring their concerns to DRW. For more information on the state funded and a non-profit organization go to www.disabilityrightswi.org The main concerns brought forward by the community was assistive technology for people that are hearing impaired, inclusion for special needs children, employment for a woman with a cognitive disability wanting to help children with similar problems, cuts to private duty nursing, and, counting people with disabilities in the 2010 census. There is a technology that allows people with hearing aids to . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, Dec. 06, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Timothy A Carey   View Entire Article  :::

 

Legislative

DisabilityVoice Speaks: Wisconsin Representative Roger Roth has been a advocate for people. He drafted a bill against the Medicaid Marriage Penalty. This penalty keeps people with disabilities on Medicaid from getting married. He also has been concerned about the cuts to private duty nursing and changes regarding Pre-Vocational services.

State Rep. Roger Roth is 7th Republican to join House race against Democrat Steve Kagen GREENVILLE — Despite the crowded field of Republican contenders in northeastern Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, state Rep. Roger Roth says his only opponent in the race is Democrat Steve Kagen. . . . Roth, a 31-year-old Grand Chute homebuilder and two-term lawmaker, is counting on his legislative experience, military background and name identification to help him . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By J.E. Espino • Gannett Wisconsin Media • Dec. 1, 2009   View Entire Article  :::

 

Assistive Technology - Gaming Visually impaired gamer sues Sony Online Refusal to implement or facilitate changes to make online games more accessible violates Americans with Disabilities Act, suit claims. It's not uncommon for blind gamers to feel invisible in addition to visually impaired. For instance, when gamer Brandon Cole wrote THQ a letter suggesting changes to make its Smackdown series of WWE wrestling games more accessible to the blind, he received a form letter back thanking him for his appreciation of the game's graphics. It doesn't help the visually impaired that some of EverQuest II's characters are actually invisible. But now, . . . .More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 ) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot- Nov 6, 2009 View The Entire Article ::: Go to Assistive Tech Gaming Section ::: Go to Legal Section

 

Legal Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination at 11 Multifamily Housing Complexes in Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Justice Department today announced a settlement of its lawsuit alleging that those involved in the design and construction of 11 multifamily housing complexes discriminated on the basis of disability. The complexes are located in four states and contain more than 800 units covered by the Fair Housing Act's accessibility provisions. Under the settlement,. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By PR Newswire - Nov. 6, 2009   View Entire Article  ::: :::Go to Independent Living Section

 

Vocational and Political Prevocational Servicesfor People with Disabilities Threatened? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

DisabilityVoice Speaks: It is a scary time for people with disabilities in the United States.  And there are many changes happening with regard to medical and other services for people with disabilities.  There was a recent newsletter article released from Wisconsin Representative Kevin Petersen, which talked about how many people with disabilities will be going to adult day care instead of Pre-Vocational services because of a decision made by Governor Doyle.  Well, this isn't entirely correct.  Below is a letter from Governor Doyle explaining the change.  I have also included is the newsletter article from Representative Petersen.  Decide for yourself, but I feel the letter from Governor Doyle shows that thousands of people with disabilities would Pre-Vocational Services will not be threatened because of this current decision.

Pedersen's E-Press. . . More Article Department of Health Services: FYI. . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey ::: Go to Vocational Section :::

 

Healthcare Paying for in-home nurses By DAVID WAHLBERG | dwahlberg@madison.com Nurses care for Mark Doering around the clock, bathing him, feeding him, taking him to the bathroom and making sure his ventilator allows him to breathe. Doering, 48, has muscular dystrophy and lives by himself in an apartment in Watertown. He fears . . . More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Monday, Nov. 09, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By DAVID WHLBERG | dwahlberg@madison.com Nov. 08, 2009 ::: View The Entire Article :::

 

Legislative Gov't bill would make Internet more accessible for disabled via real-time texting, closed captioning This month, as Congress returns from break, health care reform is not the only imperative issue on their plate. A new bill will aim to make content on the Internet more friendly to those with disabilities. . . .  More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Eitan Gavish -Sept. 1, 2009  View Entire Article  :::

 

Legislative Wisconsin Legislation Passing Would Help People with Disabilities in All States This is Timothy Carey of DisabilityVoice . I would like everyone to know the status of the Wisconsin assembly bill AB-238 after a public committee hearing in the Wisconsin state capitol building. The committee hearing was on Wednesday, 19 2009. As some may know, I have a disability caused by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So finding a driver to drive my nurse and I is difficult. A friend of mine happened to be off of work that day. It was an uneventful ride, but I was so excited when our parking stall ended up being at the stairs of the capital building. An aide of the Wisconsin State Representative Roger Roth came down to guide me to the committee hearing, which was really awesome. The public committee hearing went very well. There were only three people with disabilities at the hearing, but I think we were very effective. At one point the Committee for Child Care and Family said, we are all on board with you and this bill, to paraphrase. There were republicans and democrats on this committee and it was a pleasure seeing the two parties working together and agreeing on something. They did have some questions, but their main concern was they didn't know this issue even existed. So understandably they wanted to understand it fully. The committee didn't officially vote on the matter, but I feel it will be unanimous. The process after the committee votes unanimously, indicating it is worth voting on in the Wisconsin assembly, the following will happen:  (Assuming It Passes At Each Level ) There will be a vote in the Wisconsin Assembly There will be hearings in the Wisconsin Senate There will be a vote in the Wisconsin Senate A Medicaid Waiver will be requested from The Federal Government Health Services People with Disabilities on Medicaid in Wisconsin will be able to get married Other states will be able to request the same waiver without passing a bill. Another state would get the waiver automatically because a previous waiver was accepted (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, AUG. 25, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey And By Timothy A Carey   :::

 

ADA Advocates say rights of disabled trampled Access at issue in stimulus projects By Stephanie Ebbert Boston Globe Staff / March 6, 2009 The governor's task forces on federal stimulus funding, which helped identify billions of dollars last month in "shovel-ready projects" in Massachusetts, has angered advocates for the disabled by suggesting that the state forego reviews of the need for handicapped accessibility to prevent construction delays. Activists are threatening ...More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, March. 8, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By Stephanie Ebbert Boston Globe View The Entire Article :::

 

Legislation Rebirth of Bill Against Medicaid Marriage Penalty in 2009 Timothy A Carey met with Wisconsin State Representative Roger Roth (Assembly District 56) at the end of January, 2009 regarding drafting a Bill against the Medicaid Marriage Penalty. The representative did agree to...More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2009) Article Posted and Written By Timothy A Carey View The Entire Article :::

 

Political NJ lawmaker: Cut 5 institutions for disabled 1/8/2009, 6:06 p.m. EST By SAMANTHA HENRY The Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A powerful state lawmaker wants New Jersey to close five of its seven state-run institutions for the developmentally disabled and offer them more community-based services. Assemblyman Louis Greenwald introduced a bill Thursday that proposes reducing the populations at the institutions by 80 percent within five years, leaving ....More Article (Article on DisabilityVoice, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009) Article Posted By Timothy A Carey By SAMANTHA HENRY View The Entire Article :::

 

Voting  Coaltion reports 84% of disabled people to vote Tuesday in Wisconsin A statewide survey indicates 84% of disabled people in Wisconsin are going to vote for president. Joe Cadotte reports from Superior. Since 2004 the Disability Vote Coalition in Wisconsin has built a database of 17,000 people from the disability community. The disability community includes ...More  (Article on DisabilityVoiceSpace, November, 01, 2008 ) Article by Mike Simonsen of 91.3 KUWS and Posted by Timothy A Carey   View Entire Article

 

Health Care   Disabled Activists Arrested At Arlington McCain HQ ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) - It's an issue millions of American families struggle with: Can you afford to take care of an aged or disabled loved one in their own home? Or do you have to put them ...More Article (Article on DisabilityVoiceSpace, Thursday, October 30, 2008) Article By Bruce Leshan and Posted By Timothy A Carey View The Entire Article :::