Sunday, October 3, 2010

Congress changes intellectual disability wording

By JIM ABRAMS (AP)

WASHINGTON — Disabilities advocates on Thursday applauded Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term "mental retardation" from federal laws.

"Changing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil and human rights," said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc, an organization promoting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase "mentally retarded" to "an individual with an intellectual disability" in existing health, education and labor law.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., sponsor of the bill with Sen Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the health arm of the United Nations and the White House.

"This law is about families fighting for the respect and dignity of their loved ones," Mikulski said. "This change will have a positive effect on more than 6 million Americans."

"Rosa's Law," named after a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

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The bill is S. 2781

Online:

Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

I had a great time at the Autism Speaks 2010 Arkansas Autism Now Walk in Little Rock on Saturday, Oct. 2nd. I helped with the Advocacy table and participated in the walk. Preliminary estimates are 1500 participants and over $70,000 raised. Plan now to participate in next year's walk.

Pope Co. Parents of Special Needs Children

Join for our October Meeting on Thursday October the 7th at 6:30 pm. We will be meeting at the Equestrian Zone for this month's meeting. They will be giving us a tour and short presentation. Hope to see you there!

New Healthcare Website

There is a new website - www.healthcare.gov - that offers comparison shopping for over 4,400 insruance plans across the country. It also breaks all the information out (including the Obama Health Care Plan's provisions) by consumer bracket, including a disability category.

Monday, August 9, 2010

ADD Survey

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) in the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking information about the needs of people with developmental disabilities. ADD funds projects of national significance (PNS) designed to foster systems change in meeting the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. ADD is asking people to complete a short on-line survey about the types of programs and projects that would be most helpful to people and their families. The survey can be completed on line until September 1, 2010 at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/survey/survey_coded_final.html.

Monday, July 26, 2010

DRC Public Input Link

Reach for Your Possibilities! Let Us Help!
Help stop discrimination against people with disabilities!
2011 PROPOSED PRIORITIES AND GOALS

Disability Rights Center is seeking public input for its 2011 priorities and goals.

Just paste the path below into your web browser and complete the form.
http://www.arkdisabilityrights.org/2011publicinputform.html


Disability Rights Center
1100 N. University, Suite 201
Little Rock AR 72207
501.296.1775
800.482.1174