At AbilityMaine we are developing a special page for events, committee meetings, board meetings, etc. that are of interest to people with disabilities. The calendar link will still be on our site, but this special page will be specifically for disability related meetings and events. If you have items to add to this page, if you are a committee member who can provide dates for your meetings,or if you are planning an event, send items to Mainefun40@hotmail.com with CALENDAR in the subject line.

We're always looking for news and information at Abilitymaine. If you have items you think we can use, send them to Mainefun40@hotmail.com with NEWS in the subject line.

NewsBriefs

HHS Launches New Website Promoting Long-Term Care Planning

HHS' Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell announced a new Web site that will make it easier for consumers to get the information they need to plan for long-term care. The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information website provides comprehensive information about long-term care planning, services and financing options, along with tools to help people begin the planning process.

For more information about the "Own Your Future" campaign and the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, please visit http://www.longtermcare.gov.

Association Promotes Access to Text Materials

The Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) has been working strategically with the publishing industry and other stakeholder groups over the last several years to promote ready, usable access to text materials for students with print-related disabilities. AHEAD's E-Text Solutions Group http://www.ahead.org/etext/etext_main.htm has focused on policies, procedures, best practices, and training in the area of digital text access to standard print materials and is focused on identifying a coordinated national accessible materials solutions framework. As part of this effort AHEAD has adopted a Position Statement crafted by it's E-Text Solutions group.

The comprehensive paper provides an interpretation of relevant U.S. laws and an analysis of current issues related to the conversion of printed materials for individuals with disabilities that impact there ability to use traditionally printed materials. While acknowledging the publishing community's concerns and rights, AHEAD takes the position that reproduction of course texts into digital formats is a fair use of copyrighted materials in this context. To read this paper in its entirety visit http://www.ahead.org/etext/etext_positionstatement.htm . The Webpage contains a downloadable Microsoft Word copy of the paper; AHEAD invites you to forward this information to others who may have interest in this important work.

AAPD to Present 2007 Henry B. Betts Award To Esteemed National Disability Rights Organizer Mark Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC, December 10, 2006 The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is delighted to announce that the 2007 Henry B. Betts Award will be presented to Mark Johnson, a nationally-recognized activist, community organizer, and Director of Advocacy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Read more about the award:
http://www.aapd.com/News/aapd/pr061213aapd.htm

Source: AAPD

For more leadership programs, see:
http://www.aapd.com/awards/leadership.php

Medicare and You 2007 Handbook Now Available

The Medicare & You 2007 handbook is now available in English at
http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
(PDF, 614 KB) and Spanish
http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050_S.pdf
(PDF, 597 KB) to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose. This official government handbook contains important information about whats new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights for people with Medicare. You can find 48 geographic-specific versions of the handbook on the website, with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.

2005 Census Data Regarding People With Disabilities - Information Bulletin #186 (12/06)

Many disability advocates need up to date statistics by State or county for people with disabilities. The 2005 American Community Survey which can be found at http://factfinder.census.gov and provides a lot of useful current data.

This data is available by State and county at the above Census Bureau's web site.

Advocates should use this data to hold accountable public officials with respect to "Annual Plans" [for public housing and vouchers] and "Consolidated Plans" [for HOME and CDBG funds]. Make sure the public officials note the correct percentage of persons with disabilities who are below the poverty level. That information informs (or should inform) their planning processes. Without the correct data, people will disabilities will be shortchanged.

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Source: Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.