National Council on Disability Releases October 2003 Bulletin 10/31/2003
From: Mark S. Quigley of the National Council on Disability, 202-272-2004, mquigley@ncd.gov WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- The following is the latest edition of the NCD Bulletin, a monthly publication of the National Council on Disability: NCD CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF EMPOWERMENT, 1978-2003 National Disability Employment Awareness Month President Bush proclaimed October 2003 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. "For Americans with disabilities, employment is vital to independence, empowerment, and quality of life. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the many contributions citizens with disabilities make to our society, and we reaffirm our commitment to helping them achieve their full inclusion in our workforce." The President's proclamation is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031003-15.html. The Administration highlighted the month with activities at many agencies, including the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, Labor, State, and Treasury, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Social Security Administration. On October 21, NCD member Kathleen Martinez addressed the Department of State's program, "America Works Best When All Americans Work." The next day, NCD executive director Ethel D. Briggs spoke at the Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Services celebration. Also, on October 24, Lex Frieden represented NCD by making a presentation and remarks at the Texas Governor's Committee on Disability awards program held at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NCD Policy Brief Series: Righting the ADA NCD posted two new additions to the NCD policy brief series, Righting the ADA. In Barnes vs. Gorman, 536 U.S. 181 (2002), the Supreme Court ruled that punitive damages may not be awarded in private suits brought under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, under Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This policy brief ( http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/privatelawsuits.html ) examines the nature and purpose of punitive damages, their availability under the ADA, and the substance and ramifications of the Court's ruling in Barnes. In Albertson's, Inc. v. Kirkingburg, 527 U.S. 555 (1999), the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the defendant employer was entitled to rely on a Department of Transportation (DOT) visual acuity standard as a job qualification criterion for a truckdriver position. This policy brief ( http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/safetyregs.html ) examines the intersection of the ADA requirements with safety standards imposed under other federal laws, and the ramifications of the Court's decision in Kirkingburg on this issue. The entire series can be found at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/policybrief.html. NCD to Research Long-term Services NCD is seeking an independent contractor to conduct a research study that examines critical issues surrounding financing and systems reform to the configuration, financing and delivery of long-term services and supports. Current financing mechanisms will become unsustainable in the near future, and without significant reform, tens of millions of Americans will be unable to find the wide array of affordable and high-quality long-term services and supports options we all expect and deserve. NCD expects this research to focus on the following areas: (1) current level(s) and type(s) of involvement by the Federal Government in a range of long-term services and supports systems and financing; (2) current and projected needs for long-term services and supports in the nation among people with disabilities and people who are elderly; (3) gaps in long-term services and supports; (4) key features of future long-term care financing and systems reforms; (5) locales that have incorporated indicators of cohesive and comprehensive reform into their policy and service systems; (6) major challenges and barriers that locales face in moving toward cohesive and comprehensive long-term services and supports financing and systems reform; and (7) promising policy levers and policy changes. The study plan should project an 11-month implementation work schedule. The approximate release and closing dates are November 15, 2003, and January 5, 2004. You may request copies of the RFP by mail or e-mail or pick one up on or after the issue date at the address below. All requests should reference the number (99L-T) and title of the RFP. All inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed to Martin Gould, Ed.D., 202-272-2112 (voice), 202-272-2074 (TTY), or mgould@ncd.gov or addressed to Long-Term Services, National Council on Disability, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004. Genetic Non-discrimination On October 14, by unanimous vote, the U.S. Senate passed the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2003 (S. 1053), which would ban employers and health insurers from discrimination based on a person's genetic information. Employers would be barred from using genetic information in employment decisions, and insurers would be prohibited from using genetic information to deny coverage or set or adjust premiums. At this time, there is no corresponding legislation in the House. However, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Employer-Employee Relations Chairman Sam Johnson (R-Texas) announced their plans to hold hearings and examine the issue of genetic non-discrimination and its implications for employers and workers. HHS Announces Long-term Care Grants On October 2, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced more than $33 million in grants to states and other organizations to help develop programs for people with disabilities or long-term illnesses. The Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living will help states and territories enable people with disabilities to reside in their homes and participate fully in community life. "These grants will help people with disabilities exercise meaningful choices about how and where to live their lives," Secretary Thompson said. "They reflect our strong commitment to remove barriers to equality for the 54 million Americans living with disabilities under President Bush's New Freedom Initiative." More information is available at http://cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/. NCD Seeks Input NCD needs your help. NCD is always looking for examples of how its research, reports, and recommendations changed people's lives, influenced and improved policies, and affected outcomes for people with disabilities. NCD would like to know if you are aware of any examples of NCD research findings and recommendations in action, such as their use in legislative bills, government initiatives, testimony, budget documents, speeches, and media stories. Send your information to NCD Research Outcomes, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004, fax it to 202-272-2022, or e-mail it to jrosen@ncd.gov. Thank you for your collaboration with NCD in achieving an inclusive and accessible society. ------ 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 or unsubscribe to the NCD listserv, send a blank e-mail to add-bulletin@list.ncd.gov or remove-bulletin@list.ncd.gov. No need to write anything in the subject line or body. To change your current e-mail address, first unsubscribe in one e-mail and then subscribe in another. Please send your editorial comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov). |