[Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Fw: UCP Washington Wire -- Week of January 9, 2012

[Carlos J MontasAS]

UCP Washington Wire -- Week of January 9, 2012Just passing this along.    
----- Original Message ----- 
From: United Cerebral Palsy 
To: carlos.montas at gmail.com 
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:01 AM
Subject: UCP Washington Wire -- Week of January 9, 2012



  UCP Washington Wire


  January 10, 2012


  CURRENT NEWS and UPDATES

  Government Accountability Offices Calls on Department of Justice to Review Standardized Testing Accessibility
  At the request of three Representatives, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently examined the process for providing access and accommodations to people with disabilities who take standardized tests. The GAO looked at factors that included: the types of accommodations requested, factors testing companies consider when making decisions about requests, and how federal agencies enforce ADA compliance within the industry. Findings in the report recommend that the Department of Justice (DOJ) develop a strategic approach to enforcing the ADA in the high stakes testing industry to ensure the timely provision of accommodations to all eligible individuals. Justice has reviewed the report and agrees with its approach and conclusions. Click here to learn more and to view the report.
   
  Congress Approves Temporary Payroll Tax Cut by Two Months
  Late in December, Congress approved a bill that will set payroll tax rates, jobless benefits and doctors’ Medicare fees for two months. The bill, H.R. 3765, was unanimously passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two month delay has given Congress time to go on break. When they come back into session, though, these issues will arise for vote again -- poising Democrats and Republicans against each other until they can come to another agreement in 2012. Click here to read on.
   
  Senator Harkin (D-Iowa) Introduces Seclusion and Restraints Bill
  Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act (S. 2020), right before New Year’s recess. The Keeping All Students Safe Act is a bill, that if passed, will protect students from ineffective and dangerous seclusion and restraint practices in schools. This includes: prohibiting the use of physical restraints except for emergency situations, prohibiting the use of physical restraints that inhibit a student’s primary means of communication, and prohibiting the use of seclusions and/or restraints in a student’s Individual Education Plan or any other behavioral plan. Click here to learn more about the bill.

   
  STATE CHECK-UP
   
  January Edition of Medicaid Watch Released
  Click here for the January 1, 2012 edition of the MEDICAID WATCH. Notable and recent state developments and proposals that expand access and eligibility appear in blue, while noteworthy and recent state developments and proposals that reduce access and eligibility are printed in red. The last two pages contain a regularly-updated and current listing of sources and resources on state-level health coverage, with the most relevant news, facts and documents highlighted in yellow.
   
  The MEDICAID WATCH doesn't cover only state-level Medicaid eligibility and access news; it also reports on other state health assistance programs, including: State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP); States' own non-federally-funded medical assistance programs; State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs); State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); State-subsidized or - sponsored health insurance programs for limited income persons; and State-subsidized high risk health insurance pools (including premium discounts given by some risk pools to those with incomes under state-set levels).
   
  Governor of Arkansas Supports Health Exchange Partnership
  It was announced late last week, that Arkansas governor, Mike Beebe supports a partnership between the state of Arkansas and the federal government to implement the state health insurance exchange required by law. In a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius, Governor Beebe says "I am confident that this partnership approach to the federal exchange will move Arkansas toward our shared goal of making high-quality, affordable health insurance a reality for the one-in-five Arkansans who currently cannot obtain or afford coverage.”The health exchanges must be set up by individual states, state partnerships, or state and federal government partnerships. By law, a state must have their health exchange set up and active by January 1, 2014. Click here more information.
   
  New York City’s Taxis Violate Disability Act
  We recently reported to you that the fleet of taxis in New York City have been deemed unfit for people with disabilities to use. In the last week of December, Judge George Daniels ruled that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his administration must present an “extensive report to the judge that describes a plan for expanding the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis.” In the ruling, the Judge said “Meaningful access for the disabled to public transportation services is not a utopian goal or political promise. It is a basic civil right.” Click here more from The New York Times.
   

  ON THE HORIZON
   
  House and Senate to Convene in 2012
  The House or Representatives will begin the Second Session of the 112th Congress on January 17, 2012. The Senate is expected begin their session on January 23, 2012. Click here to view the Senate’s most recent calendar and here to view the House’s most recent calendar.
   
  Ticket to Work Program to Host Webinar for Support Services for People with Disabilities
  On January 25, 2012 at 3pm EST, the Ticket to Work program will be hosting a free webinar that is aimed to help Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to make more money. Through the webinar, participants will learn about Social Security programs and rules that may apply to them so that they can get back to work. Click here to sign up for the event.
   
  President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities to Hold Conference Call
  The Children and Families Administration has just announced that the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) will be meeting by conference call on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 1-2:30pm EST. During the call, Committee members will discuss the development of the PCPID 2012 Report to the President. The call will be open to the public. Click here for more information. 
      

  For more information on this UCP Washington Wire contact: Connie Garner, CGarner at ucp.org.
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