Lex Frieden, Chairperson
November 2005

The Bulletin, which is free of charge and at NCD’s award-winning Web site (www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the new NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on Online mailing list archives, select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or leave the list, then complete the short subscription form. Please send your editorial comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

NCD Releases Social Security Report

On November 30, NCD released its The Social Security Administration’s Efforts to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities: New Solutions for Old Problems, calling on Congress and the Social Security Administration to make immediate changes that will get more people with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits back to gainful employment. Speakers included Linda Wetters, NCD board member; Susan Daniels, former deputy commissioner for disability and income security programs, Social Security Administration; John Kregel, Ed.D., chairman, department of special education and disability policy and research, and director, Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports; Djuna Parmley Mitchell, consumer legal affairs counselor, ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia; and Ethel Zelenske, director of government affairs, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, and co-chair, Consortium on Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force.

NCD Releases Progress Report

On November 17, NCD released its annual Progress Report, calling on the Federal Government to be more creative in program design; be more accountable in measuring the impact of civil rights compliance for people with disabilities; and provide greater cross-agency coordination in managing disability programs.

Congressional Briefing on Emergency Management Transcript Available

On November 10, several organizations and agencies in cooperation with the House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus held a briefing on emergency management and people with disabilities, with a focus on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Speakers included Representatives Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus; Pat Pound, NCD vice chairperson; Claudia Gordon, Department of Homeland Security; John Lancaster, National Council on Independent Living; Natalia Mason, American Red Cross; Lee Page, Paralyzed Veterans Association; Marcie Roth, National Spinal Cord Injury Association; and Hilary Styron, National Organization on Disability. A transcript is available at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/transcript_emergencymgt.htm.

NCD to Release Long-Term Services Report

On December 15, NCD will release The State of 21st Century Long-Term Services and Supports: Financing and Systems Reform for Americans with Disabilities at a news conference at 9:00 a.m., at the NCB Development Corporation, Concourse Level Conference Room, 1725 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC. This meeting is open to the public and free of charge. However, space is limited. For security reasons, all guests will be escorted to the conference room.

Legislative Update

On November 2, S. 1951, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act), was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence and to have choices about community participation, education, and employment.

Financed through voluntary payroll deductions of $30 per month (with opt-out enrollment like Medicare Part B), this legislation helps remove barriers to independence and choice (e.g., housing modification, assistive technologies, personal assistance services, transportation) that can be overwhelmingly costly by providing a cash benefit to those individuals who are unable to perform two or more functional activities of daily living.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Supreme Court Update

On November 8, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two related cases--United States v. Georgia, et al. (04-1203) and Goodman v. Georgia, et al. (04-1236)--which presented questions related to the applicability of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and lawsuits by prisoners with disabilities challenging discrimination by state-operated prisons.

NCD to Purge Mailing Lists

In an effort to be more efficient and cost-effective, NCD will purge the NCD Bulletin mailing list that is sent via U.S. Mail and start anew. As you may be aware, the snail-mail version arrives weeks after it is published, which can be frustrating. A more efficient way to receive the newsletter and other NCD news is via its listserv. Although NCD will not discontinue the snail-mail version at this time, we are encouraging more readers to sign up for the electronic (and instant) version. To do so, please go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on "Online mailing list archives," select "NCD-NEWS-L," click on "Join or leave the list," then complete the short subscription form. If you still prefer receiving the hard copy of the newsletter, please send your request to NCD Bulletin, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004.

NCD will also purge its reports mailing list and start fresh. If you would like to receive or continue receiving NCD reports via U.S. Mail, please send your request to NCD Reports, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004. NCD reports are always available in HTML and PDF at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/publications.htm.