In The Headlines

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced the award of $25.1 million in Medicaid infrastructure grants to 39 states to help people with disabilities find and keep work without losing their Medicaid benefits. The grants are authorized under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. The grants allow states to implement and develop Medicaid buy-in programs, increase the availability of personal assistance services through the Medicaid state plan or waiver programs, and assure access to other health care supports that may support the employment objectives of people with disabilities.

HUD commended California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) for winning a $1 million disability discrimination settlement. The agreement was with a San Francisco landlord who refused a tenant's request for an accessible parking space. DFEH is one of 103 state and local agencies nationwide whom HUD funds under the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP).

The National Council on Disability (NCD) has issued a progress report on national disability policy. The report covers the period from December 2003 through December 2004. The report reviews federal policy activities by issue areas, notes input by other federal agencies on their progress where it has occurred, and makes further recommendations where necessary.

The report calls 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 disability, and provide greater cross-agency coordination in managing disability programs. According to Glenn Anderson, Ph.D., NCD vice chairperson, "NCD's examination of the status of disability policy discloses that incremental progress made in some areas is clouded by other major barriers and challenges that continue to block paths available to the general population.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has adopted new accessibility standards for federally funded facilities based on updated guidelines the U.S. Access Board issued in 2004. The adopted standards will apply to a wide range of new or altered buildings under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), which ensures access to facilities designed, built, altered or leased with Federal money. The standards take effect in six months and will replace the existing standards, known as the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS).

The Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has issued 2 new fact sheets. ODEP is a federal agency within DOL and its mission is to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. Its customers include:

• Individuals with disabilities and their families
• Private employers and their employees
• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Educational and training institutions
• Disability advocates
• Providers of services and government employers

The new fact sheets issued are:

1. Employment Laws: Medical and Disability-Related Leave
2. Employment Laws: Overview & Resources for Employers

Individuals may order these materials by contacting the Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center at 800-949-4232 (Voice/TTY) or via our on-line contact form.