JFActivist

21st CVAA Law Supports Wireless and Online Freedom for PWD

via AAPD (6.21.11): 

21st CVAA Law Supports Wireless and Online Freedom for People with Disabilities

By Jenifer Simpson, AAPD Senior Director for Government Affairs

Leaders from the disability community spoke on June 16, 2011 at the American Computing & Machinery annual conference, "Computers, Freedom & Privacy or CFP2011," held at the Georgetown Law school conference center in Washington, DC. Their panel entitled "Accessible and Usable Technologies Support the Freedom of People with Disabilities" linked the requirements of the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (“21^st CVAA”) with freedom and privacy for people with disabilities.  

“There is no freedom and little privacy for many people with disabilities,”said Jenifer Simpson of AAPD “unless the technology devices and tools that connect with the Internet are designed with accessibility at the outset.”  Mark Richert of the American Foundation for the Blind told the audience that "The 21st CVAA is the most sweeping accessible technology legislation ever enacted." He then detailed many of the provisions of the Act that support access to online content for people with visual and other disabilities. He noted that content has to be constructed also so that it can be made usable for people with disabilities, such as users of screen readers. Jim House of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing mentioned the recent U.N. report that says in essence that "Access to the Internet is a human right and that includes people with disabilities."

These speakers explained the new law’s regulatory requirements for captioning of television shown on the Internet, for accessible browsers in wireless broadband devices for blind people, for creation of an equipment distribution program for deaf-blind people to connect to the Internet, hearing aid compatibility of Internet-enabled or smart phones, and video description of television for people who are blind.  They also provided examples of current technologies that do and don't include accessibility. Apple, Blackberry and Google technologies were part of this discussion, as well as the wireless industry's new online tool that allows the user to search for a wireless device based on types of features and specific disability manifestations.

Conference audience members raised questions about the schedule for implementation of the new law – most of the regulations should be issued by the FCC by the end of 2013 --and whether there were research funds available for new technologies. COAT panelists emphasized the importance of dissemination of information about accessibility solutions; additionally, Mark Richert noted that "There are already many solutions, they just need to be incorporated."  Audience members included Andrew Phillips of the National Association of the Deaf  and Angela Campbell of the Institute for Public Representation who works pro bono on captioning issues. The "Computers, Freedom & Privacy” conference addressed multiple privacy, cyber security and political freedom issues from both national and international perspectives.

Online tool to assist in finding the best wireless device is at http://www.accesswireless.org/Home.aspx, includes open captioned videoclip.

For more on the Conference, visit http://www.cfp.org/2011/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

For further details on the 21^st CVAA, please write policy@aapd.com

 

Can you provide examples of current technologies that do or don't include accessibility? Please share your thoughts in comments below.

First-of-its-Kind App Offers Useful Tool for Those Living with Multiple Sclerosis

via the Centre Daily Times (6.15.11):

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Launches Mobile Phone App for the Multiple Sclerosis Community

My MS Manager is the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America's new mobile phone application, provided free of charge to individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) or their care partner to use on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Developed in conjunction with Ringful Health, My MS Manager is available now for download in the Apple iTunes Store.

This first-of-its-kind app for MS offers individuals a convenient and effective tool to manage the ever-changing course of the disease. "I am proud that MSAA is able to offer this innovative application to the MS community. My MS Manager  provides a one-stop shop for an individual to not only monitor their MS, but also has the capability to include overall health information," states MSAA President and CEO Douglas G. Franklin. "It is exciting for MSAA to be utilizing this new technology allowing us to help more people in more places." 

My MS Manager allows an individual to input and store:

• Comprehensive medical records
• Contact information of your healthcare team
• Descriptions of MS flare-ups, tracking their duration, frequency, and intensity
• Information about side effects and effective treatment strategies
• Important details essential to staying one step ahead of your MS...

>>>For the Full Article...

How can the MS Manager serve as an example for the creation of more apps to manage other types of disabilities? Please share your thoughts in comments below.

Call for Proposals: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities

via the American Psychological Association (6.10.11):

Call for Proposals

Inequity to Equity: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities

October 17-18, 2011 in Washington, DC

The American Psychological Association invites submissions of proposals for an interactive, interdisciplinary conference, “Inequity to Equity: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities”. 

We seek proposals for poster presentations, papers, and symposia regarding women with disabilities that address the following topics: Health Disparities and Equity; Access to Healthcare; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Reproductive Health and Sexual Health; Psychosocial Health; Interpersonal Violence and Violence Prevention; Disability across the Lifespan; and Legal Guidance and Public Policy. 

The conference is cosponsored with the Howard University Women’s Health Institute and Gallaudet University and will be held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC on October 17 - 18, 2011.

By promoting the exchange of knowledge and information among psychologists, other health care providers, researchers, educators, policymakers, women with disabilities and advocates, this conference aims to foster an integrated health care agenda that will improve health outcomes for women with disabilities. 

Call for Proposals deadline is July 8, 2011.

The online submission form and guidelines for submission can be found at:

http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/disabilities-conference/index.aspx

Disability Health Care Coalition Survey: Need Your Participation by Tomorrow, June 1!

via AAPD (5.31.11):

Disability Health Care Coalition Survey: Your Participation Needed by June 1

AAPD is a member of a disability-based health care & assistive technology coalition known as The ITEM Coalition. More at http://www.itemcoalition.org/  ITEM advocates to make sure rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices are covered by insurance plans as the marketplace changes. To make sure this happens, ITEM is collecting information on typical coverage of these services and devices by employer-sponsored health insurance plans. We’re particularly interested in things like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. and devices  (durable medical equipment) and things like orthotics, prosthetics, or other assistive devices.

If you -- or someone you are responding for --  have health insurance through an employer and you have (or previously had) a disability or chronic condition, please take a moment to respond to this quick online survey called “Insurance Coverage of Rehabilitative and Habilitative Devices,” at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LY58SY5

 Your participation in the survey will help AAPD and our colleagues in the ITEM coalition ensure that healthcare reform best serves the needs of individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. The survey has 10 questions and should only take 5 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept anonymous. We will use the answers to make sure these things continue to be covered!

If you have questions about the survey or about the ITEM coalition, please contact Theresa Morgan at the ITEM Coalition via E-mail Theresa.morgan@ppsv.com

CDC: Developmental Disabilities Affect 1 in 7 U.S. Kids

via NPR (5.23.11):

CDC: Developmental Disabilities Affect 1 in 7 U.S. Kids 

by Nancy Schute

Fifteen percent of American children have a developmental disability, including autism and ADHD, according to a new report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That's an increase of almost 2 percentage points from 1997 to 2008, or almost 2 million kids. But that number may be squishier than it sounds.

The new figure comes from the National Health Interview Surveys, which ask parents if their children have ever been diagnosed with a variety of behavioral and developmental problems. That can include assessments by teachers or counselors, so the number is less than airtight. The number also could reflect increasing awareness of autism, and decreasing stigma.

The results were published online by the journal Pediatrics.

>>>For the Full Article...

Do you feel this number "reflects increasing awareness and decreasing stigmatization of autism"? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Consumer Platform for Health IT Released, Includes Disability Recommendation

                                                                                       
 From AAPD (5.16.11):

Health Information Technology: Consumer Platform for Health IT Released, Includes Disability Specific Recommendation

  By Jenifer Simpson, Head, Technology Policy Initiatives, AAPD

 As many already know, health care reform implementation will be enhanced and assisted by use of health information technologies. To ensure that the voices of consumers with disabilities are included as medical technology is further deployed, AAPD has been actively working with the Consumer Partnership for e-Health. This coalition consists of leading health, aging, consumer, and labor groups. This new health information technology focused coalition has developed a “white paper” or platform that describes a common vision of where we ought to be. That is, it proposes a more inclusive framework for consumers in health care governance and delivery -- including a disability-specific recommendation -- as technology transforms health care services and delivery systems.

 The white paper, entitled, “Platform for Health IT: Advancing Patient and family engagement through technology,” envisions a consumer, caregiver and patient-centered health care system rather than a system dominated by providers, technology vendors and insurers that operate far from the influence of consumers and patients. This e-Health coalition asserts that people should be at the center of health care service delivery systems. The coalition asserts that the transformative power of technology can lead to improved access to timely, electronic information and that this will equip consumers to actively participate in health care as both partners and leaders.  It calls consumers the most significant untapped resource in health care today. 

 The white paper lays out a vision of seven characteristics for health information technology to ensure consumers are at the center and involved. AAPD ensured that this vision includes stating that “electronic tools and information are equally accessible to all, including people with disabilities.”  The overall intent of the policy platform is to influence advancements in medical technology so that they not only change the kind of health care we receive but also the way it is provided. While such policy documents may seem unexciting, they often guide and set the course for real change and action, such as in the expanded use of medical technologies.

 This consumer platform for health information technology policy was agreed to by twenty-seven organizations: AARP, Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc., American Association of People with Disabilities, American Association on Health and Disability, American Heart Association, American Hospice Foundation, Caring From a Distance, Center for Democracy and Technology, Center for Medical Consumers, Childbirth Connection, Consumers Union, Family Caregiver Alliance, Healthwise, Mothers Against Medical Error, National Alliance for Caregiving, National Coalition for Cancer  Survivorship, National Consumers League, National Family Caregivers Association, National Health Law Program, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Health Network, OWL - The Voice of Midlife and Older Women, SEIU, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, The Empowered Patient Coalition, The Children’s Partnership, and Well Spouse Association.

 Advocacy/Policy:

1. For a copy of the consumer health information technology policy platform and press notice, go to website at http://www.nationalpartnership.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=28602&security=2141&news_iv_ctrl=2181 OR send email to policy@aapd.com. Put “send me Consumer HIT platform” in subject line.
2. To learn more about the structure of the U.S. health care  industry, visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm
3. Do you think policy can drive change in health information technology?  Do you think health care services and delivery will change as a result of information technology? Do you think consumers and patients are at the center of 595,800 establishments make up the healthcare industry?  
4. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below or write an email to policy@aapd.com

White House Tech Event Celebrating ADA

From Jenifer Simpson, Senior Director of Government Affairs, AAPD:

ADA Anniversary Celebrations: AAPD Attends White House Technology Event 

Andy Imparato, AAPD President & CEO, and Jenifer Simpson, Senior Director for Government Affairs, were among the 100 or so guests invited to the White House on July 19, 2010, to an event focused on federal accessible technology initiatives. This White House morning event, held in the South Court Conference Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, included an Expert Panel discussion, a video on how accessible technology assists people with disabilities, and some demonstrations of new technologies. Hosted by Kareem Dale, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement & Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, the event was one of a series of such events conducted by the Administration to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The five experts on the panel were federal officials. These included: Vivek Kundra, White House Chief Information Officer;  Dan Gordon, Administrator, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Federal Procurement Policy; Michael Copps, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Aneesh Chopra, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Science & Technology Policy; and Larry Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications & Information, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA).  Dale asked the panelists several questions including their opinions on the importance of technology to people with disabilities, about lowering the cost of accessible technology, and whether there is a need for legislation.

 Kareem Dale, White House Disability Policy Advisor introduces Panel 

Some interesting points were made by the panelists. Strickling mentioned that the adoption rate for broadband Internet is 33% for people with disabilities, compared to a 65% national rate. He described the "broadband revolution" as a way to create more jobs, such as for people with disabilities. He also announced that Communication Services for the Deaf  would receive a $15 million award from NTIA to increase adoption of broadband by people with hearing and other disabilities and that would lead to more employment.

Kundra noted that "the federal government is the largest purchaser of information technology on the planet," spending more than $80 billion a year. He said the intent now is "to change the default setting of putting accessibility in as an afterthought." As part of that commitment, the federal Chief Information Officers’ Council has established a working group on accessibility, focused on Section 508 implementation.

Gordon said OMB would release soon a new policy memo affirming Section 508 requirements for the government to procure accessible technology for employees and customers of federal agencies.  He said the memo would not only clarify the intent and purposes of Section 508 bit that it will emphasize that federal agencies would be held accountable for ensuring accessible technology policies.

Copps said the FCC's challenge was in implementing the National Broadband Plan, saying the FCC would issue several Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) focused on issues of people with disabilities so they "are not left behind and their talents wasted." He also mentioned the importance of a universal design approach in developing technology to keep cost down, how accessibility benefits people without disabilities, and mentioned the current House and Senate legislation by concept, i.e., S. 3304 and H.R. 3101, as important.

Chopra said the government should "unlock the hidden potential of people with disabilities [that is] based in failed connectivity." He also mentioned a new initiative at the Veterans’ Affairs agency to ensure more accessible technology for veterans. He also raised the topic of more telecommuting or telework efforts to solve unemployment.

The Panel discussion was followed by a captioned video presentation chronicling personal stories about the impact of technology on people with disabilities. This was followed by three demonstrations of new technologies: National Public Radio’s captioned radio programming for in-car use; robotic prosthetic feet developed (and worn) by Professor Hugh Herr and his biomechatronics team at the MIT Media Lab; and Apple's built-in VoiceOver accessibility on the iPad that permits users with vision loss to access all material on this new electronic device. 

Many other representatives from the disability technology community were also invited attendees. Disability organizations present included the American Association of the Deaf Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, Hearing Loss Association of America, Northern Virginia Resource Center, Telecommunications for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing and the World Institute on Disability. Others present included Benentech, Inclusive Technologies, Maryland Relay Services, Communication Services for the Deaf, Verizon, Microsoft, the Web Accessibility Initiative, the Information Technology Industry association, among others.  Numerous federal officials also attended such as from the Federal Communications Commission, General Services Administration and the Social Security Administration.

Participants were encouraged to attend the Technology Showcase and other events sponsored by the U.S. Commerce Department and FCC during the afternoon of the same day.

White House Appoints Deaf Fellow and Deaf Fitness Council Member

From THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (6.22.2010):

WHITE HOUSE APPOINTS 2010-2011 CLASS OF WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the White House announced the appointment of 13 outstanding men and women to serve as White House Fellows. The White House Fellows come from diverse backgrounds, varied professions and all of the 2010-2011 Fellows have shown a strong commitment to public service and leadership. The 2010-2011 class of Fellows and their biographies are included below.
 
“This year’s White House Fellows are comprised of some of the best and brightest leaders in our country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “I applaud their unyielding commitment to public service and dedication to serving their community.”
 
The White House Fellows Program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to give promising American leaders “first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government, and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs.” This unique position in our nation’s government encourages active citizenship and service to the nation. The Fellows also take part in an education program designed to broaden their knowledge of leadership, policy formulation, military operations, and current affairs. Community service is another important component of the program, and Fellows participate in service projects throughout the year in the Washington, D.C. area.
 
Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable early career professional achievement, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government. Throughout its history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including leaders in government, business, media, medicine, diplomacy and the military. Additional information about the White House Fellows program is available at http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/fellows..
 
2010-2011 Class of White House Fellows
 
...
 
Kubby Rashid, Jessup, MD. Kubby Rashid has been a member of the Gallaudet faculty since 1994, including a stint as Chair of the Department of Business <http://business.gallaudet.edu> . In addition to teaching, Dr. Rashid was active in faculty leadership and administration, and was co chair of a major initiative to reconfigure all academic programs at the University. Dr. Rashid served on the board of the World Deaf Leadership Program, guiding development projects for the deaf communities in South Africa and Thailand. She has also worked with individuals from many developing countries, helping deaf people learned to develop leadership skills and advocate for themselves. Dr. Rashid has previously been involved with the National Deaf Business Institute and taught several years for NDBI and Merrill Lynch's summer program for Deaf Business owners and would-be entrepreneurs. She was the first coordinator of the Bernstein Leadership Institute's Deaf Women's Leadership Program, and implemented the program and curriculum that form the core of the DWLP today. In 2008 she was appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley to a six year term on the Board of the Maryland School for the Deaf and also serves as a Board member of Discovering Deaf Worlds, an NGO dedicated to helping deaf people in developing countries.
 
....

>>> For the Original Release with a Full list of the Fellows

From THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (June 23, 2010):

First Lady Launches President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition

Mrs. Obama joins Washington, DC-area kids to unveil expanded mission of Council, introduce 2010 Council Co-Chairs and Members

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined kids from the Washington, DC area to launch the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and introduce the 2010 Council co-chairs and members. In conjunction with the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, this year President Obama has broadened the scope of the Council, formerly known as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, to include a focus on healthy eating as well as active lifestyles. Yesterday, the President signed an Executive Order outlining the Council’s new emphasis on both good nutrition and physical fitness...

“This year we’re expanding the work of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to include not just a focus on active lifestyles, but on healthy eating, too,” Mrs. Obama said. “The Council will play an important role in our effort to help combat childhood obesity in this country and I am grateful to the athletes, chefs, doctors and nutrition experts who are volunteering their time on the Council to help make a difference.”

The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition is a committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about opportunities to develop accessible, affordable and sustainable physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition programs for all Americans regardless of age, background or ability. The Council’s mission is to engage, educate and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. For more information about the Council and its members, visit www.fitness.gov

In addition to its presidential advisory role, the Council promotes and maintains the President’s Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program (President’s Challenge) which encourages all Americans to include physical activity – 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for youth – in their daily lives. For more information about the President’s Challenge programs, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition:...

Curtis Pride, Appointee for Member, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition

Curtis Pride is the head baseball coach at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, and a retired Major League Baseball player. In 1996 as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Mr. Pride became the first regular full-season deaf player in the modern history of major league baseball. At the close of his career in 2008, he had played 421 games, achieved a .250 career batting average, 20 home runs, and 82 runs batted in. Prior to his professional career, his athletic proficiency spanned several sports. In high school he was a member of the U.S. soccer team that participated in the Junior World Cup in Beijing. In college he played part-time professional baseball for the Mets organization while also attending the College of William and Mary as a four-year starting point guard in basketball. In addition to coaching, Mr. Pride is active in the community, particularly with his Together With Pride foundation which aids hearing impaired children....

>>> For the Full Release

AAPD to Present at PIPC FORUM: Delivering Patient- Centered CER

From the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (6.22.2010):

Delivering on Patient-Centered CER

A forum on next steps in achieving
patient-centered comparative effectiveness research

July 22, 2010
9:30 a.m. -12 p.m.

The Reserve Officers Association
One Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002

Welcome

The Honorable Tony Coelho
Chair, PIPC
Keynote Remarks:

The Honorable Max Baucus
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee (confirmed)

Nancy-Ann Min DeParle
Director, White House Office of Health Reform (invited)
Panel Discussion: Perspectives on Patient-Centeredness in CER

AARP (invited)

Marc M. Boutin
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, National Health Council (confirmed)

The Honorable Nancy G. Brinker
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® (invited)

Andy Imparato
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Association of People with Disabilities (confirmed)

Dr. Jack Lewin
Chief Executive Officer, American College of Cardiology (confirmed)

*** For more information or to RSVP please contact *** 

LAllison@ImprovePatientCare.org

  The forum is sponsored by the member organizations in the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC). PIPC represents patients, physicians and other health care providers, researchers and innovators, and other groups that have come together to promote comparative effectiveness research that supports patient access and informed health care decision-making and fosters continued medical progress. To learn more go to www.ImprovePatientCare.org.

Take an AAC Technology Survey and Earn up to $300

From AAPD (6.9.2010)

Participants Needed in Survey about Alternative Augmentation Communication (AAC) Technologies 

The Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer (KT4TT), partnered with the Western New York Independent Living Center, conducts research on knowledge translation strategies for people with speech and related disabilities. Their current research is about the best ways of communicating research knowledge to AAC stakeholders. This includes consumers, clinicians, brokers, policy makers, manufacturers and researchers. In the past, this Center has been able to get over 50 products for people with disabilities into the market place. This Center needs your help in identifying and contacting consumers over the age of 18 who use AAC equipment, and who will participate in our study.

For any consumer who participates in the study he / she will receive $100 for each one of the 3 questionnaires we will ask them to complete.

For each participant an organization is able to offer us, a chance will be put into a drawing for $1000.  This means if your organization can help the center find one consumer your organization will get one chance at the drawing. If your organization assists the center in finding 10 consumers you will get 10 chances in the drawing.  They are only seeking 60 participants so you can see the chance of winning the drawing is greatly enhanced with more referrals.

If you are able to assist us, or wish to know more about the study, please feel free to contact Douglas Usiak at Tel (716) 204-8606 ext. 205, or email djusiak@buffalo.edu

*** Be Sure to mention AAPD as the referring agency ***

Survey information provided by Douglas J. Usiak, Co-PI, Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer, (716) 204-8606 ext. 205, www.kt4tt.buffalo.edu
Or Executive Director Western New York Independent Living, 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel (716) 836-0822 ext. 117. Website www.wnyil.org

Item provided by J. Simpson, Senior Director, Government Affair, Technology Policy Initiatives, AAPD.