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By Alan J. Heavens
INQUIRER REAL ESTATE WRITER
Nearly 70 percent of the nation’s community-based organizations say housing discrimination continues unabated, especially against immigrants, disabled people, and families with children, results of a recent survey indicate.
Nearly 550 community groups surveyed in April by the nonprofit advocacy organization Consumer Action said that most of those facing discrimination are unsure of their rights and how to protect themselves.
The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL) is circulating a Petition to send a strong message to the Governor to Stop the Budget Cuts to HCBS, IL and other important services for people with disabilities across Pennsylvania. This is a chance for you to help advocate against devastating cuts without even leaving your desks. Please take a minute to sign on ASAP:
It’s quick and easy. Please also send the link to your friends, Consumers and family. Together, we can have a big impact on Pennsylvania’s future.
Thanks for your anticipated support.
A packed house for LRI's Project Endeavor Workshop on April 20, 2012
On Friday, April 20th, Liberty Resources’ Deaf Advocacy and Outreach team hosted a captivating workshop by Project Endeavor designed to connect the deaf and hard-of-hearing community with the latest technology adapted to suit their particular needs.
The Project Endeavor Workshop drew over 50 participants; a group that asked many questions and readily engaged with the presenters. A program of Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc., funded by a two year contract with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Project Endeavor focuses on providing deaf and hard of hearing Americans with access to broadband or high speed internet through discounted internet service plans and internet devices. Project Endeavor also provides an array of training materials and educational resources for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Project Endeavor’s Jason Ruzicka presented many of the project’s items for sale, including laptops and smart phones specifically designed to work well for people with hearing disabilities. Through a special offer, Jason was able to offer deep discounts of up to 50% off smart phones, tablets, laptops and internet to those in attendance. Through a limited promotion, 10% of the sales from the workshop were donated back to Liberty Resources.
For more information, please visit www.projectendeavor.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
Contact:
Janine Bertram (503) 622-6387
Rachel Siler (312) 479-0220
Marsha Katz (406) 544-9504
Amber Smock ambity@aol.com
Washington, D.C.— On Tuesday, after months of pressure on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Medicaid division to release federal regulations for the Community First Choice (CFC) Option, the national grassroots disability rights group ADAPT stormed the HHS headquarters once again by surrounding its doors. This time, the protests yielded the long-awaited result: Cindy Mann, Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations announced at 6 pm that she had just that very afternoon submitted the CFC Option regulations in final form to the Federal Register for publishing. The issuance of the regulations brings the possibility of much-needed Federal assistance to states struggling with massive Medicaid cuts. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
Contact:
Janine Bertram (503) 622-6387
Rachel Siler (312) 479-0220
Marsha Katz (406) 544-9504
Amber Smock ambity@aol.com
Washington, D.C.— Hundreds of disability rights activists with the national group ADAPT have swarmed onto the plaza before the United States Supreme Court to demonstrate their support for the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether to strike the Act down. ADAPT maintains that not only has the Act provided key protections against discrimination on the basis of disability in health care, but it provides for the Community First Choice Option, a federal Medicaid matching program whose rules were completed just yesterday. Continue reading
ADAPT’s “My Medicaid Matters” action in D.C. demanding that Congress “fully and wisely” fund Medicaid and fighting against cuts that threaten independent living options resulted in the arrests of 76 activists, including Falling Skies star Noah Wyle.
ADAPT Action Report: http://www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/2012/report03.php
CNN coverage: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/23/us/medicaid-protest/index.html
April 23, 2012 12:00 am
By Rich Lord / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A Beaver County man has filed federal lawsuits against at least seven banks over the past four weeks claiming that they haven’t complied with a law requiring that ATM machines can talk to the blind.
Robert Jahoda, 30, has sued Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, First Commonwealth Bank, Commercial Bank & Trust of Pennsylvania, Fidelity Bank, Charleroi Federal Savings Bank, 1st National Community Bank and Home Savings and Loan of Youngstown, Ohio. More lawsuits are coming, said his attorney, Bruce Carlson.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2012
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
All Americans – including people with disabilities and seniors – should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions – rather than in nursing homes or other institutions.
The Obama administration and my department have long been committed to promoting community living and finding new mechanisms to help ensure that the supports people with disabilities and seniors need to live in the community are accessible. Continue reading
Urge Pennsylvania legislators to restore funding for critically needed programs for vulnerable citizens, including General Assistance, health care, and human services programs. As a participating partner with the PA Cares for All statewide coalition, we invite you to join us for a Rally and Lobby Day in Harrisburg on May 7 at 11 am in the Capitol Rotunda! To RSVP or for more information, please visit www.PACaresforAll.org or call 267-765-6488.
Can’t join us in Harrisburg? Send an e-mail to your PA elected official at www.bit.ly/fixPAbudget
The new Pennsylvania government-issued photo voter ID law WILL NOT BE in effect for the April 24th Primary Election. You may be asked to present photo ID but only voters who are voting for the first time or who have not previously voted in their election district will be required to show ID. All other voters can still vote a regular ballot if they do not present ID, because the photo ID requirement will not be in full effect until the General Election on November 6th, 2012.
For more information about the new Voter Photo ID law including information about which type of ID is accepted, steps for obtaining FREE photo ID in order to vote, and how to participate in the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s legal challenge of the law, please visit www.voteforhomes.org.
Have other voting related questions or concerns? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or the ACLU at 877-424-ACLU
Request President Barack Obama, Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, and key members of Congress to lead now by supporting American workers with disabilities!
1. Read up on the issue. 2. Take action. 3. Forward this email or share on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Many Social Security Disability Beneficiaries want jobs now. The current do-nothing Congress and Social Security’s top leadership are failing Social Security disability beneficiaries who work or want to work.
The Commissioner of Social Security, Michael Astrue, recently announced that he plans to shut down Social Security’s vital employment support counseling services for its disability beneficiaries who make it into the workforce. Social Security has funded these mandated counseling services nationwide since 2000.
