News & Events

  1. Medicare & You - 2013 Medicare Handbook

    The Medicare handbook has answers to your questions about what Medicare covers, prescription drug coverage, and new benefits available under the Affordable Care Act. Check out page four of the handbook to find out what's new in 2013. This link opens a 140-page PDF document.

    Posted: 10/16/12 to Health
  2. Social Security Announces 1.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2013

    Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 62 million Americans will increase 1.7 percent in 2013. The 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2013, and the increased payments to SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2012. The average monthly benefit that a Social Security disability beneficiary receives will increase from $1,113 to $1,132 a month.

    Posted: 10/16/12 to Benefits
  3. Presidential Proclamation - Blind Americans Equality Day, 2012

    President Barack Obama has proclaimed October 15, 2012 as Blind Americans Equality Day. The President calls upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, librarians, and Americans across the country to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs. The Administration is working to make sure that people with disabilities, including visual disabilities, have full access to education, information and job training. 

    Posted: 10/15/12 to Community Life
  4. Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15

    Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15–December 7, 2012. During that time you can change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2013. Medicare now covers depression screenings, screenings and counseling for alcohol misuse and obesity, behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease, and more. For more information read Medicare & You 2013.

    Posted: 10/12/12 to Health
  5. Labor Department Launches Virtual Toolkit on Workplace Flexibility

    The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy has launched an online Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to provide resources and a unique approach to workplace flexibility. Workplace flexibility is a universal strategy that helps workers with complex employment situations become more productive. The toolkit adds a new dimension — an emphasis on flexibility around job tasks and what work is done. The launch of the toolkit coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

    Posted: 10/12/12 to Employment
  6. Justice Department Settles with Florida Bus Companies Over Accessibility Violations

    The U.S. Department of Justice has reached four settlement agreements with over-the-road bus companies in Florida to correct accessibility violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Dynamic Tours & Transportation Inc., Alltour America Transportation, Jet Set Line Inc. and VIP’s Jet Tours Corp./Pegasus Transportation failed to maintain wheelchair lifts in working condition, did not file required ADA compliance reports, and failed to train staff on accessibility requirements.

    Posted: 10/12/12 to Civil Rights
  7. Wendy's Franchisee to Settle Lawsuit for Refusing to Hire Applicant with Hearing Disability

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has charged CTW L.L.C., a Wendy's franchisee, in Dallas with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The restaurant refused to hire an applicant after learning that he has a hearing impairment. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in hiring, firing, job application procedures and other employment situations.

    Posted: 10/12/12 to Civil Rights
  8. The American Job Center

    Get help with your job search and find information about job training and education opportunities, as well as career exploration and employment counseling services. There's also an employment section specifically tailored to Veterans, and a financial assistance page for people who are unemployed and need information about unemployment benefits and other forms of assistance. Visit the American Job Center Network Locator to find help near you. 

    Posted: 10/12/12 to Employment
  9. HUD Awards Grants to Help Elderly & People with Disabilities Live Independently at Home

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $31.3 million in grants to help more than 14,000 seniors and people with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes. The grants are awarded to private housing developments that receive rental subsidies from HUD to house low-income individuals. The grants will be used to provide social services from community agencies to seniors and people with disabilities.

    Posted: 10/11/12 to Housing
  10. HUD Reaches Agreement with Housing Providers on Disability Discrimination Claim Against Property Manager

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reached a Conciliation Agreement with Brookside Park Limited Partnership and Peabody Properties South, LLC, in Atlanta, GA, and a former property manager for violating the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The housing providers violated the FHA by refusing to allow a tenant with disabilities to transfer to a first-floor unit.

    Posted: 10/10/12 to Housing
  11. U.S. Postal Service Joins Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    The U.S. Postal Service, which has more than 40,000 employees with disabilities, will join the National Association of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network to recognize American workers with disabilities. Every October, the National Disability Employment Awareness campaign raises awareness about people living with disabilities. This year’s theme, “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do”, promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce.

    Posted: 10/10/12 to Employment
  12. Making Voting More Accessible for Veterans with Disabilities

    Describes how to determine the voting needs of recently injured military personnel with civilian status, including injured active duty military personnel and Veterans. Also offers recommendations on ways to improve voting technologies and election administration practices to make voting accessible to people with different kinds of disabilities. This link opens a PDF document.

    Posted: 10/09/12 to Community Life
  13. New Training Toolkit Helps Teachers Put an End to Bullying

    Download a free training for classroom teachers that includes tips on preventing bullying. The U.S. Department of Education’s Safe and Supportive Technical Assistance Center created the two-part training to help teacherslearn about best practices to prevent and stop bullying on the spot. The toolkit has PowerPoints, trainer guides, handouts and feedback forms that school districts, schools and teachers can use free of charge. A toolkit specific to bus drivers is also available.

    Posted: 10/09/12 to Education
  14. HUD Charges Apartment Building with Discriminating Against Persons with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged the owner, builder and developer of a five-unit Missoula, MT apartment building with housing discrimination. According to HUD two of the units cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. The Fair Housing Act requires that multifamily housing built after March 13, 1991, be accessible for persons with disabilities.

    Posted: 10/08/12 to Housing
  15. Hospital to Pay $146K to Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit

    New Hanover Regional Medical Center of Wilmington, NC will pay $146K and revise its policies and management training to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The center was charged with disability discrimination against job applicants and employees who were taking legally prescribed narcotic medications. The center allegedly did not hire these applicants and placed their employees on leave. These kinds of alleged actions violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    Posted: 10/07/12 to Civil Rights
  16. HUD Charges Landlord with Discrimination for Denying Tenant's Request to Make Home Wheelchair Accessible

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is charging an Albuquerque, NM, landlord with violating The Fair Housing Act by refusing to allow a tenant with disabilities to modify his rental home so he could use his wheelchair. The tenant had agreed to pay all costs for the modifications and return of the unit to its original condition. The Fair Housing Act does not allow landlords to refuse a request to make reasonable modifications to make a home or apartment accessible.

    Posted: 10/06/12 to Housing
  17. Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases September Employment Numbers

    The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent last month. Disability employment statistics for September show an unemployment rate of 13.5 percent among people with disabilities, down from 13.9 percent in August. The percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.1 percent, and the percentage of people with no disability in the labor force was 69.3 percent.

    Posted: 10/05/12 to Employment
  18. Disability Rights - Enforcement Highlights from the U.S. Department of Education

    The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) protects the rights of persons with disabilities under two federal laws - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This report describes OCR's work in enforcing these laws and protecting the rights of students with disabilities. This link opens a PDF document.

    Posted: 10/04/12 to Education
  19. Free Webinars on Work Incentives & Job Interview Tips

    The National Spinal Cord Injury Association will host two free webinars in October in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  The first webinar, ”Understanding Social Security Work Incentives and Ticket to Work”, will be held on October 11, 2012. A second webinar, “Employment Etiquette: Resume Building and Job Interview Tips” will take place on October 24, 2012.

    Posted: 10/04/12 to Employment
  20. Presidential Proclamation - National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2012

    Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?" Get NDEAM resources, download or order the NDEAM poster, and learn how you can help raise awareness about the importance of a more inclusive America, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities.

    Posted: 10/04/12 to Employment
  21. EEOC Sues Bank for Age & Disability Discrimination

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has charged Regions Financial Corporation, doing business as Regions Bank in Memphis, with disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to the EEOC, the bank fired a 61-year-old bank branch manager after she asked for a reasonable accommodation for her disability, hyperthyroidism. Visit the EEOC’s newsroom for information about other recent legal actions the agency has taken to protect the employment rights of people with disabilities and others.

    Posted: 10/04/12 to Civil Rights
  22. Secretary Duncan, White House Officials, Join Disability Stakeholders on Anniversary of Key Civil Rights Law

    Leaders from the disability community joined the Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education and White House officials to celebrate the anniversary of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973."Disability Rights: Enforcement Hightlights" was published to commemorate this anniversary.

    Posted: 10/03/12 to Education
  23. Education Grants Awarded to Improve Training Systems to Help Children with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced the award of $24 million in grants to 22 states to improve training systems to help children with disabilities. This grant program provides funds to help states reform and improve professional development in early intervention, education and transition services. Find information on specific grants and amounts of each reward.

    Posted: 10/03/12 to Education
  24. New Online Toolkit Helps Mental Health Providers Serve Veterans

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a new online Community Provider Toolkit to provide support, therapeutic tools and resources for community providers who treat Veterans for mental health issues. The toolkit will improve mental health services for Veterans through increased communication and coordination of care between community providers and VA.

    Posted: 09/30/12 to Health
  25. Labor Department Awards Grant to Establish Technical Assistance Center for Increasing Employment of People with Disabilities

    The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1,098,573 grant to the National Disability Institute to establish the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD). The LEAD Center will focus on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It will hold policy and research initiatives on improving employment outcomes, including job retention, for people with disabilities.

    Posted: 09/30/12 to Employment