Vantage Human Resource Services, Inc. (Vantage) has been contracted to support the expansion and evaluation of the I Can Do It, You Can Do It! (ICDI) Program through September 2016. Vantage’s responsibilities under the provisions of this contract include:

1. expanding and evaluating the ICDI program to 20 new sites that have the capability of recruiting 100 total participants including mentors (who are responsible volunteers age 18 or older) and mentees (who are individuals with disabilities) at each site;
2. providing technical assistance and professional oversight to Advocate sites;
3. making recommendations for program improvement;
4. identifying the best and most promising practices for continued program expansion; and
5. proposing strategies to enhance program implementation.

ICDI is a national program that was created to inspire all Americans, regardless of ability, to lead healthy lifestyles that include regular physical activity and good nutrition. Specifically developed to address the needs of children and adults with disabilities, ICDI provides tools and resources to schools and community organizations to help facilitate access and opportunities to engage individuals with disabilities in healthy, active behaviors where they live, learn, and play.

To assist with ICDI program expansion, Vantage has developed a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage stakeholder organizations (K-12 schools and school districts, colleges and universities, and community-based entities) in ICDI implementation. Vantage will provide an incentive of up to $4,500.00 to at least 20 applicants who submit proposals and are selected to participate in the program from December 15, 2015 through August 31, 2016.  [Read more…]

The ABA Business Law Section Fellows program provides a springboard for lawyers with disabilities into the leadership of the Section. Go to ambar.org/blfellows to learn more about the program. Applications for the next term are due May 1, 2016, but applications submitted sooner will be considered.

Awareness

Information on how to become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly volunteer is on the home page of IRS.gov. The IRS Tax Tip “Become a Tax Volunteer” is listed on the rotating spotlight under the Free Tax Help tab.

What’s new?

The updated YouTube video on VITA/TCE volunteering has been released and is the featured YouTube video on the home page of IRS.gov.

See Also

Webinar: Introduction to myRA Accounts for VITA sites and Partners – Thursday, November 19, 2015; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Source: Declarations, By Allie Cannington

A hotel suite jam packed with Disabled and Deaf youth, of all different backgrounds and identities, from all across the country, prepping for the largest national celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Youth Caucus Chair Maddy Ruvolo and I stood on our toes, toppling over furniture, just to ensure all of the young community members could identify who we were and what we were saying.

We were prepping for a surprise chant that would occur during my speech later that night. And as the excitement and empowerment filled every corner of the room, we all smiled, some signing, and others chanting:

“Generation ADA, We are leaders today!”

“Generation ADA, We are leaders today!”

It was the evening of July 26, the second day of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 2015 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme was “Generation ADA: Rise Up” to celebrate and bridge the power of young people with disabilities with the wisdom and leadership of those who made the ADA possible.

More young people attended NCIL’s conference than ever before: more than 80 youth from across the nation and 20-plus youth from Japan. Whether we were leading and attending workshops, receiving awards at the NCIL Awards Luncheon, pushing Justin Dart’s wheelchair whilst leading the national march and rally, or building community during moments of downtime; everywhere you turned, there was another young person with disabilities. We, Generation ADA, were ever-present, even at the NCIL Annual Meeting when Felicia Agrelius, a young leader from California, was elected to the NCIL Board of Directors.

Now reflecting back to the conference, to the tireless efforts to ensure attendance and leadership of youth with disabilities, particularly youth who were unable to attend in the past and youth with multiple marginalized identities — it all feels like a dream.  [Read more…]

Source: Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

Distance supported education: A randomized, controlled trial

We are doing a research study to learn more about how we can support students with mental health issues to help them succeed in school.

Students who enroll in the study may have a chance to work with someone who will help them to set goals related to their education, relationships, mental health and campus life, and receive encouragement and support to achieve their goals. All study communication will take place electronically (e.g. telephone, email, text message, Skype).

To be eligible to participate, you must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 50
• Have a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder or depression
• Be currently receiving mental health services
• Not currently receiving academic accommodations
• Be currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college, university, or tech/vocational school
• Want to get help with school related to your mental health issues in at least two areas
• Have access to a computer, the internet, and a cellphone for communications

[Read more…]

NCIL members have keen interest in the SSDI solvency debate and in restructuring how the SSDI program treats earned income when we go back to work. Both issues are addressed in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, legislation that contains important changes to Social Security. A complete Section-by-Section Summary of the bill is available online (PDF).

The NCIL Employment & Social Security Subcommittee has developed a shorter summary on Social Security and Medicare changes in this bill of interest to NCIL members. We strongly encourage you to scan it for details on provisions we think may be of interest.

• Read the NCIL Summary.

From the summary:

Sec. 833. Reallocation of payroll tax revenue.

Reallocates to the Disability Insurance Trust Fund an additional 0.57 percentage points (for a total of 2.37 percentage points of the total combined 12.4 percent payroll tax) in 2016, 2017 and 2018. This would be sufficient to pay benefit until 2022, and the total rate would not change.

• NCIL Comment: This means that SSDI benefits will not be reduced due to lack of funds until 2022.

Sec. 823. Promoting opportunity demonstration project.

Requires the Social Security Administration to test the effect on beneficiary earnings of changing how earnings are treated for purpose of ongoing benefit eligibility. Under the demonstration, the existing “cash cliff” would be replaced with a benefit offset, under which the DI benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 of earnings in excess of a threshold. 

The SSA could test multiple thresholds at or below the current level of earnings that constitute a trial work month ($780 in 2015). Under the demonstration, there would be no trial work period and no extended period of eligibility, but beneficiaries could receive partial benefits if their earnings in a month exceeded the substantial gainful activity amount ($1,090 a month in 2015). 

In addition, the threshold amount could be adjusted upward to reflect an individual’s itemized Impairment Related Work Expenses. Once an individual’s benefit is fully offset, entitlement to benefits would end, but Medicare coverage would continue for 93 months.

Sec. 826. Electronic reporting of earnings

Requires the SSA to permit DI beneficiaries to report their earnings via electronic means, including telephone and internet, similar to what is available to Supplemental Security Income recipients. (Effective not later than September 30, 2017)

Medicare Provision

Sec. 601. Maintaining 2016 Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Levels Consistent With Actuarially Fair Rates.

In 2015, the monthly Part B premium rate is $104.90.

Without Congressional action, the estimated monthly Part B premium in 2016 for beneficiaries not held harmless would be $159.30. This policy would maintain the hold harmless provision in current law and prevent a dramatic premium increase on beneficiaries not held harmless.

This policy accomplishes this by setting a new 2016 basic Part B premium for the beneficiaries not held harmless at $120, which is the amount the Part B premium would otherwise be for all beneficiaries in 2016 if the hold harmless provision in current law did not apply. To effectuate this policy, in 2016, there would be a loan of general revenue from the Federal Treasury to the Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund. To repay the loan, starting in 2016, beneficiaries not subject to the hold harmless would pay an additional $3 in their monthly Part B premium until the loan is repaid. Medicare beneficiaries who currently pay higher income-related premiums would pay higher than $3, the amount of which would increase for beneficiaries in each higher-income bracket in proportion to income-related premiums under current law. If there is no cost of living adjustment increase for 2017, this provision would apply again.

A National Teleconference & Webinar

October 28, 2015; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern

Register online

People with disabilities are denied equal access to conversations, resources, health care, autonomy, and lived experiences relating to sexuality, sexual health, and relationships. Ableism has allowed sexual health providers, educators, parents, and others to desexualize people with disabilities – especially young people with disabilities, people with disabilities who are also LGBTQ+ or of color.

Join us on October 28 to change that reality.

Since January, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) have operated Real Talk: Conversations and resources about sexuality for young people with disabilities and sexual health providers. Supported by a grant from the HSC Foundation, Real Talk has provided the space for young people with disabilities to create tips and resources for sexual health providers and other professionals on how they can provide inclusive, culturally-appropriate, accessible education and resources to people with disabilities.

Real Talk began with a series of dialogues with young people with disabilities about their experiences with sexual health providers. These dialogues culminated in the creation of a guide for sexual and reproductive health providers about inclusion and accommodations when working with this people with all types of disabilities. Register today to learn simple ways sexual and reproductive health providers can better serve young people with disabilities.

Target Audience: This training is intended for sexual health providers, general practitioners, educators, parents, and others that work with young people with disabilities. This presentation is also likely to benefit young people with disabilities interested in understanding their rights and educating sexual health providers to be more inclusive and accessible.