Don’t be the Victim of Stranger Danger

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Amanda Beals

This year we have the opportunity to choose new leaders for our state and country. These people will spend the next few years making decisions that will affect the way we live every single day. Each Election year, I am reminded that I have the opportunity to vote someone into office who I think will do a good job. Unfortunately, I worry that many of us do not take full advantage of this process. There are hundreds of candidates running for local, state, and federal offices. Many of us do not take the time to get to know these candidates.

SUMMARY OF THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION: THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Posted on July 06, 2012 by Kimberly Lackey

On June 28th, 2012, the Supreme Court announced its decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the case examining the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This was one of the most anticipated cases ever decided by the Court. The Supreme Court, somewhat surprisingly, upheld the vast majority of the ACA.

Olmstead: Thirteen Years Later, New Opportunities

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Kimberly Lackey

It has been thirteen years since the Supreme Court announced the groundbreaking Olmstead decision. On June 22, 1999, the Court issued a decision ruling in favor of plaintiffs stating that unjustified institutional isolation of individuals with disabilities is discrimination and is a violation of Title II of the ADA. Because of this case, many individuals with disabilities have been able to avoid unnecessary institutionalization and live in their communities with proper supports and services.

Who are you voting for? Take Note of New Missouri Districts

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Amanda Beals

Due to a slight population decrease over the past decade, Missouri was required to draw new legislative districts for the 2012 elections. This means that for a vast number of registered Missouri voters, your legislative district has changed!

2012 Legislative Summary

Posted on June 08, 2012 by Ann Conrath, Public Policy Intern

The 2012 Missouri Legislative Session provided many opportunities to fight for disability rights. While there were several pieces of legislation that were on our radar this session, some of the victories include passage of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children’s Bill of Rights, preventing barriers to voting, funding for CILs and home and community-based services, and protecting the Human Rights Act.

#captionTHIS Movement

Posted on June 06, 2012 by Thomas Green

Like many people around the world, we get our current news, breaking news, and critical information through the internet. As a deaf person, I am often left behind because I cannot hear what is being said on the video clips. #captionTHIS is a social media movement that will spread the word to caption video clips all across the world wide web.

Accessible Polling Places?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Willie Kimbrough, Jr., ADA Specialist

Hello once again fellow advocates! Since my last blog the new regulations for the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design went into compliance. Learning the new regulations, however, will take some time and the best way to learn them is by using them in surveys of different places of public accommodations like stores, restaurants, or maybe even polling places.

Closing the Gap - Making Exercise Accessible

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Lindsey Bean- Kampwerth OTD, OTR/L & Pamela Daugherty COTA/L, BFA

May is Physical Fitness month. These days, physical fitness is on everyone’s mind. From the first lady to your doctor, just about everyone can agree that physical fitness is key to a healthy lifestyle. We can all benefit from exercise; therefore everyone should have equal access to exercise. But does everyone really have equal access?

Stop costing so much!!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Kirsten Dunham

It sometimes sounds like people with disabilities and seniors who have chronic conditions or complex health situations are getting the blame for costing our health care system so much. There are several new models of care delivery and payment systems, many targeted at the “high cost” health care consumers. When you consider the reality of population growth and constantly rising health care costs, clearly there is a need to address this issue to reduce the pressure of health care costs on our economy and our family budgets. What can make one nervous is how the problem is addressed.

Navigating Social Security and Employment Might Become a Little More Difficult

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Megan Burke

Funding for Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) provided through the Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to end on June 30^th. WIPA provides valuable services such as individualized counseling, benefits analysis, and support for individuals transitioning to work. Authorization for continued funding of WIPA is being held up as part of the reauthorization of the Social Security Work Incentives Act of 2012. While many advocates have contacted members of Congress, it does not appear that they will be voting on the reauthorization of the Social Security Work Incentives Act of 2012 by June 30th.

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