ilivewithadisability.com

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are organizations run by and for people with disabilities. All CILs offer four core services as well as a host of other programming to assist people with disabilities. Read the rest of this entry →

It’s been coined The City That Never Sleeps, The Big Apple, and my personal favorite, “Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are made of” (courtesy of Jay-z and Alicia Keys).  Yes, we are talking about New York City, the entertainment and cultural Mecca of the world.  New York has so much to offer; there are world class restaurants, legendary landmarks, celebrated tourist hot spots, iconic museums, amazing shopping and who can forget the bright lights of Broadway.  Read the rest of this entry →

Medicare and Medicaid are sustainable, so advocates and voices with disabilities get involved. All those who are with firm belief in this horrible Sen. Paul Ryan (R) Wisconsin’s Proposal, must make clear to their Members of Congress that blocking Medicaid and dismantling Medicare is not the answer to our nation’s deficit. Read the rest of this entry →

The other day I had a conversation with Ron Bercume (ILWAD co-founder) about what it means to be an advocate. He asked me, “Would I be Read the rest of this entry →

This past weekend, I visited with some family members, and one of our topics of conversation was self-sufficiency and independence in disability service organizations for PWD (people with disabilities); this of course, was after my mention of my involvement with ILWAD. A family member and I have both worked as disability social advocates. We discussed the inconsistencies in disability services provided and mission statements within organizations. We both recognized that despite so-called promoting independence for PWD, many organizations, or at least employees of those organizations still cling to the idea that PWD cannot be fully independent. Read the rest of this entry →

Overview of Disability Laws

Sarah Laugtug, Editor

I am very excited to be here as the new disability news editor at ILWAD, my goal is to educate and offer you resources to help you become more independent, empowered, and educated on disability topics. The following is a brief introduction to the most prominent disability laws passed in recent years. Disability rights, just as any equality cause, require time and dedication in order for change to occur. I believe we are on the path to equality, educating the public, and becoming more independent and united as a group. Each section includes a link so you can research further if you choose. I hope that this article is useful to you, and always feel free to give me feedback. And remember, we are BEAUTIFUL, not BROKEN. Read the rest of this entry →

The ADAAA sent the message to the American people that individuals with disabilities must be full and equal members of our society. With the release of the EEOC’s regulations, employers across the country will have a clear set of guidelines and rules of the road to ensure equality for Americans with disabilities. This will help ensure civil rights protection for people with “invisible disabilities.” Moreover, the EEOC’s regulations restore the original intent of Congress to cover many disabilities that had been excluded by the courts such as multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, diabetes and many others, meaning that more people will be able to reach for the American dream.

Approximately 1 out of every 6 Americans lives with a disability. And millions more have a family member or friend who lives with a disability. Thanks to a bipartisan spirit, with these EEOC regulations, millions of people will be able to successfully put their American work ethic to use helping our businesses, our governments and our schools out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the global competition to win the future.

Today, those American values are once again on display and we as a minority must continue the plight to assure we move forward, never back including reminding our Congress ( writing letters, phone their office and or contact in person if in you area and your able) to withhold the ADA celebrated for 20 yrs last July….let’s be participants and not but spectators

As a quiet tenacious now turned kindly vicious advocate for nearly 30 years the past two have been with but hurdle after hurdle…

To be honest the political atmosphere is so severely tainted I am not sure if any filtering can be done… we have gone way to the cliff’s edge, with campaigns consuming most if not all of our politicians time and Representing we the people put on the back burner. IS of my opinion we must work hard for Campaign reform now with our input insistence a priority to try and cool the atmosphere, as it is I personally can buy a campaign ad, be true or falsehoods , pay it , have it run for however long and I do not have to disclose who paid for it and thus no responsibilities lie with me … ( unreal )
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With the 111th Congress drawing to a close and new members joining next year, a lame-duck Congress is rushing to vote on several large pieces of legislation.
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On June 24, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This piece of legislation includes provisions to replace the 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut that took effect at the beginning of June with a 2.2 percent payment update that will extend for a mere six months – through November 2010.
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