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Advocates for Independent Living
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ADAPT Praises Sen Baucus
September 23, 2009: Disability Rights Advocates Praise Senator Baucus, Other Key Senators for Addressing Institutional Bias in Senate Health Care Reform Bill
Washington, DC - ADAPT, a national grassroots disability rights organization, praised Senate Finance Committee Chair, Senator Max Baucus of Montana, for including the Community First Choice Option in his healthcare reform legislation. The Community First Choice Option, originally proposed as an amendment by Senator Charles Schumer of New York, would give states an enhanced federal Medicaid match for providing attendant services and supports in the community as an alternative to placing people in nursing facilities or other institutions. The Community First Choice Option amendment was included in Sen. Baucus' "Chairman's Mark" which automatically incorporated the language into the legislation.
"The elderly and disabled should not have to choose between staying in their home and receiving the care they need," said Schumer. "I am gratified that the Finance Committee agreed to include a provision that will take steps towards providing home care for those in need, and I will continue fighting until no one has to choose between their health and their home."
ADAPT groups from across the country celebrated the announcement. "This is an incredible step forward toward eliminating the institutional bias," said Bob Liston of Montana ADAPT, based in Missoula, Montana. "The aging and disability communities owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Senator Baucus and Senator Schumer for addressing this critical issue as a part of healthcare reform."
Advocates also recognized Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa for his ongoing leadership to give seniors and people with disabilities an alternative to placement in an institution or nursing facility. Harkin has been the lead sponsor for the Community Choice Act (S683/HR1670), legislation that would eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid and which served as the basis for the state option proposal.
"For years, Senator Harkin has been a champion on this issue," said Mike Oxford from the ADAPT group in Topeka, Kansas. "During the last few months, we have watched in awe as he put in countless hours to advocate for our cause."
Advocates additionally applauded other initiatives in the "Chairman's Mark" that addressed long term services and supports for older and disabled Americans by strengthening the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program and addressing problems with spousal impoverishment in community-based services.
For Information contact: Mike Oxford (785) 224-3865, Marsha Katz (406) 544-9504 or Bob Kafka (512) 431-4085. You can also visit the ADAPT website.
Social Security Expects No COLAs for 2 Years
From the Washington Post (Associated Press)Monday, August 24, 2009
Millions of people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, as officials project that benefits will stay flat for the first time in a generation. The trustees who oversee Social Security are forecasting that there will be no cost-of-living adjustment for the next two years. That has not happened since automatic increases were adopted in 1975.
By law, Social Security benefits cannot decrease. Nevertheless, monthly payments would drop for millions of people in the Medicare prescription drug program because the premiums, which often are deducted from Social Security payments, are scheduled to rise slightly. Click here for the rest of the story.
ACT Center Closed
The ACT Center closed as of July 1, 2009. The Center was founded in 1994 by a group of parents, individuals and providers who wished to raise the awareness and services related to assistive technology and augmentative communication in Western Massachusetts. Mary Leavy was the coordinator for the center since that time and will be continue to provide assistive technology services as a consultant (Her contact information is below) Listed below are some other resources that may be available to you:
AT Resources
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Easter Seals hold the state wide AT loan program Massmatch. Call 413 442-1562 or go to the MassMatch website. MassMatch's mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life's activities.
Alternative Access: Assistive Technology Services 413 323-4007
The Holyoke Medical Center Speech and Hearing Clinic provides Augmentative and Alternative Communication Assessments and consultation services. 413-534-2508
Communication Therapy Associates: Northampton 413 586-1945
Hampshire Educational Collaborative: Accepts referrals from school systems only 800-278-4244
New England Assistive Technology MarketPlace (NEAT): Offers trainings and items for sale or to donate 860-243-2869
Mary Leavy: Assistive Technology Services maryleavy@comcast.net 413 537-0188
Mark Hugo Nasjleti
Age 39: Founder and President, Go Voice for Choice
In one sense, Mark Hugo Nasjleti's story isn't exactly unique: tired of being overweight, he made a commitment to fitness and lost 133 pounds. Since then, he has forged a career in public speaking, sharing his story and encouraging others to follow his lead. "I thought, if I could do this for myself, I could do it for others, and help other people change," he said. Words spoken by many a fitness guru, right? Sure, but with one difference: Nasjleti has Down syndrome.
It's an important aspect of how he connects with his audience, particularly those with developmental disabilities, but in a way, he doesn't dwell on it. In fact, a brochure for Go Voice for Choice, his series of self-improvement programs, lists eight of his roles, from speaker and workshop leader to expert on self-advocacy and independent living. Listed at the very bottom is "a man who happens to have Down syndrome." That's because Nasjleti -- whose fitness workshops include lessons in exercise, making menus, smart shopping, and preparing healthy meals -- doesn't see his condition as a hindrance, and would rather focus on the things in life he can change.
He keeps a busy roster of engagements, even including one program for would-be entrepreneurs looking for guidance in starting their own business, as he did. And he's told his story before both small groups and large national gatherings, including a stint as keynote speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress last year. But his core passion remains the same: "I want to help people eat healthier and gain a whole new point of view."
Find PCAs or Find a Job at Rewarding Work.com
Rewarding Work is a website with the goal of giving people, who need support with daily activities, choice and control in finding personal assistants.The website gives older people and individuals with disabilities the choice of hiring staff directly and allows them control of the process of hiring personal assistants. The website is a work in progress and still building their database. but could be very useful if you need assistance finding a PCA. For more information or to get started visit the Rewarding Work website.