Posted on December 07, 2011 by Megan Burke
As I talk to people about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health insurance exchanges, I often get questions as to how the exchange is going to help people with disabilities. If Centers for Independent Living (CILs) predominately serve people who use MO HealthNet, how will the people they serve benefit?
Read MorePosted on December 03, 2011 by Megan Burke
I love those ah-ha moments in life when you look at something in a new light and there is sudden clarity. It is even more fun when you observe the light come on for others. Life’s experiences help to shape our perceptions and world views. It can be exciting (and sometimes scary) when those perceptions are challenged by someone with a different life experience.
Read MorePosted on November 30, 2011 by Kimberly Lackey
On June 24th, a federal district court in Missouri ruled that all adult Missouri Medicaid recipients can obtain medically necessary incontinence briefs. Missouri has chosen to use the exceptions process to access the incontinence briefs through Medicaid.
Read MorePosted on November 22, 2011 by Admin
Paraquad hosted the 2nd Annual Starkloff Awards on Thursday, Nov. 17th. Last year as part of Paraquad’s 40thAnniversary celebration, the Starkloff Awards were established to honor the organization’s founders Max and Colleen Starkloff. Each year the Starkloff Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment and contribution to the independent living philosophy. This year we recognized . . .
Read MorePosted on November 21, 2011 by Mandy Beals
For the past few months, our news programs, radio shows, and daily papers have been slowly taken over. Who’s going to hold the earliest Presidential Primary? Are they really going to move their primary up to December?! That candidate said WHAT in last night’s debate? Some days, it is enough to drive a person crazy.
Read MorePosted on November 13, 2011 by Kim Lackey
On October 13, 2011 the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a statement of interest that supports Disability Rights Advocates’ position that the New York City taxi fleet is required to be wheelchair accessible under Federal Law. A class action lawsuit was filed in January 2011 claiming that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) In New York is subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and should have a taxi fleet that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
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Posted on November 09, 2011 by Kimberly Lackey
Since the effective date of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) on January 1, 2009, we have been waiting to see how the courts will interpret this new law. Over the last two years it appears that the courts are listening to Congress and interpreting the definition of disability broadly just as Congress originally intended.
Read MorePosted on November 08, 2011 by Tom Green
A baby is brought back to a hospital room after having his hearing tested. The doctor comes back to the parents and says “I am sorry but your child is deaf.” Parents would immediately ask what needs to be done. Often resources are given to parents that focus on fixing deafness or overcoming hearing loss. The process of learning to listen with hearing loss is a lifelong process. Lip reading and speaking are two hard skills to learn for a person who has no means of hearing approximately 65 to 70% of spoken English.
Posted on November 03, 2011 by Tom Green
Paraquad partnered with DEAF Inc, Missouri Association of the Deaf Inc, and Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf to host a Legislative Meet and Greet. Nine representatives from the St. Louis Metro area met with approximately 50 deaf people to talk about important and pressing issues in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
Posted on October 31, 2011 by Michelle Bishop
As Disability Awareness Month 2011 comes to a close, it is time to look beyond this past month’s efforts and think about the future of the disability rights movement. Awareness is no doubt important for building bridges between people with disabilities and our fellow community members, but we should never confuse disability awareness with disability justice. Promoting awareness of disability throughout the community can certainly break down barriers and create avenues for another branch of the disability rights movement – disability pride. Yet, all the awareness and pride we can muster simply do not equate to disability power.
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