Disabilities

Includes double state funding for Home Modification Program to $2.3 million; Additional $500,000 federal grant to help seniors stay independent

October 11, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced nearly $2.8 million in grants to help Illinois seniors and residents with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities.    » read more »

October 05, 2007 -- SACRAMENTO - California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released the details of a settlement that requires Kern and Santa Cruz counties to improve accessibility to polling places. Each settlement requires the counties to upgrade polling facilities, employ an architectural consultant, and provide additional training to employees who select and setup accessible polling sites on election days.    » read more »

Free Captioning Service Available to Maine Residents Through Maine Relay Service

October 1, 2007 -- When a person starts to lose his or her hearing, telephone conversations can become difficult and frustrating—and often lead to avoiding the phone altogether.

Thanks to advancements in technology—and a free service provided through the State of Maine—residents of Maine who have a hearing loss can enjoy trouble-free telephone conversations with absolute confidence.

It’s called “captioned telephone”—or CapTel®.    » read more »

September 26, 2007 -- Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan recently reached a settlement agreement with the owner and operator of the Applebee's Restaurant in Peru , Illinois , ensuring that the restaurant will become accessible for people with disabilities. The agreement resolves the Attorney General = s investigation of a complaint alleging that this restaurant was not designed and constructed in compliance with laws protecting people with disabilities.    » read more »

Alex Hurder chosen to lead American Bar Association commission

9-4-2007 -- Vanderbilt clinical professor of law Alex Hurder has spent much of his career championing the rights of people with mental and physical disabilities. Now Hurder is taking on an even more powerful role as an advocate for individuals with disabilities.    » read more »

August 24, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that he has signed legislation significantly expanding the avenues for people with disabilities to assert their rights. The new law will make it far easier for disabled New Yorkers to seek relief when public facilities fail to reasonably accommodate their disability.    » read more »

Student Professionals with Disabilities program to go statewide

August 23, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that the Student Professionals with Disabilities program will be expanded statewide. The program, which gives high school students with disabilities the opportunity to gain on the job experience, began in 2006 but has been limited to the Springfield area. The expansion will ensure more people have the chance to gain valuable job skills and succeed in the workplace.    » read more »

August 22, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following appointments:

COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES

Marc Buoniconti, 40, of Coral Gables, ambassador of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and president of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, appointed for a term beginning August 21, 2007, ending July 21, 2008.

Carol Ann Christopherson, 43, of Jacksonville, city letter carrier with United States Postal Services, appointed for a term beginning August 21, 2007, ending July 21, 2008.    » read more »

Bridges to Health Program Will Help Children Avoid Costly Institutional Care

August 20, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced a new program to expand support services to thousands of children in foster care with serious disabilities. The Bridges to Health program is the first of its kind in the nation enrolling children in foster care exclusively.    » read more »

August 18, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell is raising public awareness about a recent initiative that connects employers and able employees who have disabilities through online resources and technical assistance. The initiative, called Connect-Ability (http://www.connect-ability.com/), is one of the first of its kind in the nation.    » read more »

August 17, 2007 -- To advocate on behalf of Kansans with developmental disabilities, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Stephon Stewart to the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities.

“All Kansans should have the opportunity to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams. That’s the mission of this council, and I’m glad Stephon will be a part of the effort to help all Kansans achieve their full potential,” said Sebelius.    » read more »

August 15, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today celebrated the 17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a reception at Gracie Mansion. Signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark civil rights law which has fostered independence, empowerment and inclusion for millions of Americans.    » read more »

TALLAHASSEE, July 27, 2007 – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, on the 17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed Executive Order 07-148, creating the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities. The commission will advance public policy and work with state agencies and organizations on behalf of Floridians with disabilities. The Governor appointed Lance Block to serve as chairman.    » read more »

July 17, 2007 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today signed a law aimed at eliminating over the next three years the waiting list for services for people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders.

Senate Bill 138 increases the availability of community-based services for New Hampshire citizens with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders, and helps ensure are agencies will have staff in place to provide those services.    » read more »