Disabilities

Senator Kerry Had Pushed to Remove Roadblock to Social Security Benefits

01/30/2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, welcomed the retraction of a rule that would have blocked America’s elderly and disabled from obtaining deserved benefits. Senator Kerry sent a letter on December 20, 2007 expressing his concern for the proposed rules. In a similar letter sent last week, Sen.    » read more »

Kerry Concerned about Reports that Soldiers at Fort Drum were Blocked From Getting Help

01/30/2008 -- WASHINGTON DC – Senator John Kerry wrote letters today to Under Secretary of Defense David S. Chu and Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake asking for answers about recent reports that disabled soldiers at Fort Drum were actively blocked from receiving disability benefits. Recent news stories indicated that Army officials in upstate New York told staff at the VA to ignore disabled soldiers at the Fort Drum Army base.    » read more »

January 28, 2008, Washington, D.C. – NPR News reports that Army officials instructed the Department of Veterans' Affairs at a military base in upstate New York to stop assisting injured veterans with their military disability paperwork, which is used to determine annual disability payments. The report, from NPR Justice Correspondent Ari Shapiro, is airing tomorrow, Tuesday, January 29 on NPR News’ Morning Edition.    » read more »

January 15, 2008 -- Washington, DC -- Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) released the following statement in advance of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Health Subcommittee hearing on “Medicaid's Critical Role for Americans with Disabilities.” The hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

“There remain severe shortcomings in our country’s efforts to break down the barriers that exclude people with disabilities and deprive them of true equality of opportunity and independence.    » read more »

Jan. 15, 2008 -- BALTIMORE - At a Tuesday ceremony at the National Federation of the Blind, NASA unveiled a new book that brings majestic images taken by its Great Observatories to the fingertips of the blind.    » read more »

Most Residents to Relocate to the Community, Process to Occur Over Next 18 Months

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 15, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today signed an Executive Order to close Rosewood Center, a state-run facility that has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland for more than 100 years. The process to relocate residents is expected to take 18 months.    » read more »

Jan. 8, 2008 -- BALTIMORE - NASA will debut a new book for blind readers at a media event and reception Jan. 15. The agency will unveil "Touch the Invisible Sky," which gives blind readers the ability to experience cosmic images from the agency's space-based observatories and other telescopes on the ground. The event begins at 10 a.m. EST at the National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore. Media will have the opportunity to ask the authors questions and view science experiments related to NASA's Great Observatories.    » read more »

Legislation extends Nevada Check Up, prevents Medicare doctor payment cuts

December 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC— U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada today commented on the passage of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 that will strengthen health care for Nevadans.    » read more »

12/17/2007 -- MOUNT VERNON, IA-- The Richardson for President campaign yesterday evening unveiled its Americans with Disabilities policy in an online video chat with Cody Unser of the Unser racing family, the campaign's National Disabilities Spokeswoman. In the online chat, Unser discussed Governor Richardson's vision for disabled Americans.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- Washington D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada hailed passage of the Department of Defense Authorization bill. The bill being sent to the President includes the Concurrent Receipt for Unemployable Veterans and the Combat-Related Special Compensation, two important pieces of legislation that ensure veterans receive the retirement benefits and health care they deserve.    » read more »

December 11, 2007 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today unveils his plan to ensure that Americans with disabilities have an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream and pledged to make implementing this plan an Obama administration priority.    » read more »

December 03, 2007 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the United Nations' International Day of Disabled Persons.    » read more »

November 26, 2007 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced grants totaling $1,056,449 for 18 projects that will help provide transportation for people with disabilities. The grants will support new public transportation services and alternatives for individuals with disabilities, and will promote coordination between specialized and public transportation in all areas of the state.    » read more »

November 2, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that through its Connect-Ability initiative, Connecticut is offering up to $2 million in funding to non-profit agencies, employers, schools and other organizations to plan and implement creative ways to help people with disabilities join the workforce.    » read more »

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