JFActivist

Google Launches Automated YouTube Captioning; AAPD Applauds

     

Ken Harrenstein, a deaf engineer who helped develop the automatic captioning system, announces the launch (RPanoff)

AAPD Applauds Launch of Google YouTube Captioning System

On Thursday, November 19, AAPD Board Member Cheryl Sensenbrenner and staffers Jenifer Simpson, Unique Webster, Peter Viele and Rebecca Panoff attended the launch of Google's YouTube automated captioning system. This system uses some voice recognition technology, some automated time code programming code and other intelligent features that will allow YouTube video creators to include captions easily. While the technology inserts captions only in English-language speech, Google has added an automatic translation system for 51 languages. This will allow millions of YouTube videos to become available to people who do not speak English but could use the captioning technology to read subtitles in their native language. The captioning technology also allows search of the text, enabling research.

“This is a huge step forward for accessibility,” said Jenifer Simpson, “We applaud industry leadership such as this. We look to other companies to be as innovative in making their products and services accessible to people with disabilities.”

Moderated by Vint Cerf (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vint_Cerf) -- often referred to as “the father of the Internet,“ -- who noted that "videos are a medium of political expression", members of Google's captioning accessibility team presented demonstrations of the system to an appreciative audience. Ken Harrenstein, a deaf engineer who helped develop the automatic captioning system, said the technology had never been applied on such a large scale.  “This is something that I have dreamt of for many years,” said Harrenstein, “To see it happen is amazing.”  Not yet available to everyone, Google plans to gradually expand the number of YouTube channels that work with the automatic captioning technology, starting with educational users such as Stanford, MIT, Yale, Duke, Columbia, PBS and National Geographic.

The event was attended by over a hundred people, including disability leaders from American Council of the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, Telecommunications for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss Association of America, Communication Services for the Deaf, National Captioning Institute, Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, and National Council on Independent Living, among others.

Google blog site about launch of the system at http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2009/11/automatic-captions-on-youtube.html  includes signed and captioned video.

 

SC: Sex Assault Scandal Breaks while State Increases Funding for Institutions

From Patricia Harrison (11/20/09):

At yesterday's South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission meeting, a spokesperson objected to Whitten Center being referred to as an "institution."  She claimed that Whitten Center should be called a "Gated Community" instead - no joke, she really said that.

I am all for families having a choice of safe residential options, including well run ICF/MRs, but here's some history on this particular "gated community" and what South Carolina is doing to force people who have disabilities into facilities like this:

Here's a report at http://www.goupstate.com/article/20081121/ARTICLES/811211009?Title=Whitten-Center-liable-in-sex-assaults

Whitten Center liable in sex assaults

Caregiver pleaded guilty to attacking 3 mentally handicapped clients

By Robert W. Dalton

Published: Friday, November 21, 2008 at 3:15 a.m.

Officials at the Whitten Center didn't believe John Doe when he told them he was being sexually assaulted by Daniel Maxwell Bradley, a caregiver at the Clinton facility for the mentally handicapped. They said Doe had a history of making false claims against employees.

That all changed when the FBI came knocking at the door, and agents didn't come empty-handed. They had photographs, taken by Bradley and shared on the Internet, of the assaults.

Bradley eventually pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting three residents...

Just last week, CMS approved an increase in reimbursement rate beginning Jan 1, 2010 of 70% for respite services provided to waiver participants who "choose" to receive their respite services in ICF/MR's like Whitten.  SCDDSN and CMS eliminated an option, which cost less than 1/3 the daily rate of ICF/MR services, where waiver participants could receive respite services at home for less than $70 a day.  CMS approved the elimination of some home based services and the reduction of others that the State claimed were required due to budget reductions.  BUT SCDDSN transferred more than $31 million of funds generated by the Recovery Act (federal stimulus funds) to a rainy day fund in July and about half the stimulus funds they will receive this year will be transferred to that rainy day fund, while home based services are being slashed and more people will be forced into these "gated communities."  This change in the MR/RD Medicaid waiver was approved by CMS, despite the fact that they knew about the failure to use tens of milions of dollars allocated to provide services and the failure of the State Medicaid Agency to protect residents of residential programs from abuse, neglect and exploitation, which was reported by the SC Legislative Audit Council:
 
http://lac.sc.gov/Reports/2008/DDSN.htm
 
When one parent asked the Chairman of SCDDSN this summer to please prevent these cuts and to maintain her son's home based services, the Chairman compared the parent's request to her own son's request that Santa Clause bring him a four wheeler for Christmas:  "Somebody's got to pay for it" she told the parent.
 
And 2009 is the Year of Community Living?  If you're as appalled as I am about CMS approving these changes, please contact your representatives in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to share your opinions.  Ask them to require South Carolina to comply with Olmstead and to give the new director of SCDDSN the funds she needs (which are now sitting in a rainy day fund) to run the agency and to protect people like Billy from these "Gated Communities."

-Patricia L Harrison

From Paternalism to Self-Advocacy: New Report on Community Colleges and Students with Disabilities

From DBTAC-New England ADA Center (11/20/09):

New England ADA Center Unveils New Findings on Community Colleges and Students with Disabilities

President Obama's strategy to increase degree attainment will require increased graduation by community college students, many of whom have disabilities, according to a new study by the DBTAC-New England ADA Center and Northeastern University economists Neeta P. Fogg and Paul E. Harrington published in the Fall 2009 issue of The New England Journal of Higher Education.

Fogg and Harrington's article From Paternalism to Self-Advocacy notes: "In high school, students with disabilities are in a protected environment compliant with IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) legislation, where their disabilities are diagnosed, IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) are designed and services specific to their disabilities are provided. In college, the responsibility for disclosing disabilities and seeking services falls squarely on the student."

"Community colleges are in the business of serving large numbers of students with a variety of disabilities, but their knowledge of these students--who they are or even how many of them are enrolled--is often quite limited," write the Northeastern University economists.

To read the full text of the article click on the name of the article above or the link below.

http://www.nebhe.org/info/pdf/nejhe/articles/fall09/Fogg_Harrington.pdf (PDF)

http://adaptiveenvironments.org/neada/site/research_activities (Word)

Last Chance: AAPD Invites You to Celebrate the Holidays with the Radio City Rockettes!

Help AAPD and Celebrate the Holidays with the Radio City Rockettes!

 

The auction ends Nov. 28, so bid today!

AAPD is auctioning off four (4) tickets to a performance of the 2009 Radio City Christmas Spectacular in NYC on eBay! 100% of proceeds from the auction of these orchestra location seats will be donated to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

 

Enjoy the exhilaration and wonder of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, and help support a great cause!

To visit the auction’s Web page: http://bit.ly/62GXDq

To read more about the Radio City Spectacular: http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/

Action Alert: Tell DOT to Stop Discriminating Against Travelers with Psychiatric Disabilities

Action Alert: Tell DOT to Stop Discriminating Against Travelers with Psychiatric Disabilities

From the Psychiatric Service Dog Society (11/24/09):

In May 2009, new Air Carrier Access Act regulations were enacted requiring differential treatment of passengers using Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs) as opposed to those using other types of service animals.  Air passengers with PSAs (and only that type of service animal) must provide the airline with 48 hrs notice and a letter from their mental health practitioner who they must be seeing within 12 months of flying.  People with any other type of disability who use service animals do not have to provide any notice, documentation or disclosure of disability.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) enacted these changes due to concerns people might misrepresent pets as PSAs. They cite abuse of a special class of pet, called Emotional Support Animals (ESA).  However, these animals are pets not service animals.

Requirement of documentation and notice for PSAs is not a solution because people will simply fake other types of service animals. DOT has opened a comment period ending December 17, 2009 for people to respond to these new rules.

The Psychiatric Service Dog Society's comments regarding these changes can be downloaded, and are summarized below:

http://www.psychdog.org/attach/PSDSACAAcomments.pdf

1) These changes discriminate against an entire class of people with disabilities.
2) There is no data regarding fraudulent use of psychiatric service animals.
3) Abuse of the ESA category is not a valid reason to discriminate against people with PSAs
4) People with PSAs are no more inclined toward fraudulent behavior than those with any other type of service animal.

ESAs are pets that have been granted status by the DOT. They are not service animals.  PSDS proposes no documentation be required for any service animal.  Documentation may be required for ESAs or they may be eliminated from in-cabin air travel.

Additional background information can be found here:
http://www.psychdog.org/comm_talkback.html

To read the request for comments and to submit a comment, please visit:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a2662c

Please submit a statement by December 17th and circulate this to others in the disability communities.  Minimally, you can state "I agree with the Psychiatric Service Dog Society's position".  If you want to include more detail, you may copy the PSDS position summary from above, or craft your own statement.

Please contact me for more information!  Thank you in advance for your support.

Veronica Morris
Psychiatric Service Dog Society Volunteer
veronica@psd-user.net

HHS: Pamela Hyde Confirmed to Lead Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

A Press Release from Health and Human Services (11/20/09):

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate Confirmation of Pamela Hyde as Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Pamela Hyde as Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. 

“Pamela Hyde has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of New Mexico to expand access to health and human services programs and improve their quality,” said Secretary Sebelius. “With over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, Pamela’s health policy expertise and management experience will be invaluable to our Department. She will be an outstanding leader at SAMHSA, and I look forward to working with her in this new role.” 

Pamela Hyde’s Bio:

Pamela S. Hyde -- Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HHS.

Pamela Hyde has served as secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) since 2003.  Hyde has 30 years of experience in management and consulting for public sector systems of health care and human services.  She has held several key public sector management positions, including as director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Ohio Department of Human Services, and the Seattle Department of Housing and Human Services. She also previously served as a CEO of a private non-profit behavioral health care organization.  Hyde is a member of or has served as a consultant to many national organizations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the American College of Mental Health Administration, and the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.  She has received awards from the American Medical Association, the National Governors Association, the Seattle Management Association, and a number of consumer and provider organizations for her leadership and commitment to the well-being of those who rely on publicly funded health and human services.  She received a B.A. from Missouri State University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan.

Health Reform Update: Senate Bill Proceeds to Debate

Senate Votes to Proceed to Debate on Health Reform

Excerpt from the Capitol Insider (11/23/09):

by Annie Acosta

On Saturday evening, by a party line vote of 60-39, the Senate passed a motion to proceed to debate the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). The bill includes:

• Major insurance market reforms including elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions and annual and lifetime caps;
• Coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation services and devices in the essential benefits package for the new insurance Exchange;
• An expansion of Medicaid eligibility up to 133% of the federal poverty level;
• The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act which will establish a new nation wide long term services insurance program that will help individuals and their families meet their needs without needing to be impoverished; and
• The Community First Choice (CFC) Medicaid option which will make comprehensive community-based services available to Medicaid beneficiaries in states which chose the option (it would begin on Oct 1, 2010 with no sunset date).
• Requiring the development of standards for accessible diagnostic and other medical equipment;

Yesterday conservative Democratic Senators stated that they would join Republicans to filibuster final passage of the bill unless the public option for the new insurance Exchange is removed. Debate will begin the week after Thanksgiving and is expected to last until the Christmas holiday recess.

 >>> To Sign Up for the Arc/UCP Newsletter 'Capitol Insider'

ABC to Air "A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities"

From a Diva Communications Press Release (11/16/09):

Diva Communications' Interfaith Documentary Explores Pressing Issue of Faith and Persons with Disabilities

Diva Communications, Inc., a three-time Emmy award-winning programming and production company, has complete 'A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities,' a unique interfaith documentary due to begin airing on ABC stations in December.  The documentary, produced in conjunction with the New York Board of Rabbis, had the support of an extraordinary lineup of faith groups including the National Council of Churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.  The faiths' relationship with persons with persons with disabilities is a critical issue since it is estimated that 1 out of 5 Americans has a disability.

'A Place for All' explores the courageous stories of persons with disabilities as the succeed in making their faith communities truly inclusive.  It features people such as Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh, a spiritual leader at Congregation Bnai Keshet in New Jersey and one of the handful of deaf rabbis in the world; members of ELCA's DAYLE program where Definitely Abled Youth unite at the 40,00 strong triennial Evangelical Lutheran youth gathering; Rev. Beth Lockard, the pastor of Christ the King Deaf Church; and Brandon Kaplan, a severely disabled boy with limited sigh and speech who recently had the privilege of becoming a Bar Mitzvah...

... ABC  stations nationwide will begin airing the program December 6, 2009 as a part of ABC's Vision and Values series, a presentation of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. Check your local station for times. 

>>>For More Information or To watch the trailer

>>>For A Listing of Stations and Times

New Resource on Flu Prevention for People with Disabilities

From Jenifer Simpson (AAPD):

HHS has New Resource for People with Disabilities about the Flu

HHS recently created specific information for people with disabilities about the flu, including H1N1. They note, for instance, that among people with disabilities some are at higher risk such as ventilator users, people with HIV, cancer and immune suppression, people with heart disease, among others, including people with limited mobility who cannot limit coming into contact with others who are infected such as staff and family caregivers.

Links provided by HHS include Persons with Disabilities and Flu, at  http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html

CDC publication, “2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants, “ at  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/disabilities/

 

HHS Office on Disability’s main web site is at http://www.hhs.gov/od/

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