Archive for November 2008
ADA Amendments Act Becomes Law
With incredible bipartisan support and the signature of President George W. Bush, the ADA Amendments Act was passed into law on September 25, 2008, to restore the original intentions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The bill passed by unanimous voice votes in the House and Senate.
“This vote demonstrates the broad-based bipartisan support for the need to restore protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to people with epilepsy, depression, diabetes, cancer and a host of other conditions who have been interpreted out of the ADA by a callous majority of the U.S. Supreme Court”, said Andrew Imparato, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, in a statement.
The ADA Amendments Act came together through an impressive collaboration between disability, civil rights and employer groups. To bridge the divide between the disability and business communities, these groups worked together to draft agreeable language that would benefit both sides and gain bipartisan support in Congress.
“We are pleased with Congress and President Bush for recognizing the need for restoring the ADA’s protections as originally intended,” said Suellen Jackson-Boner, executive director of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. “With this new law in place, Hoosiers and all 54 million people with disabilities in the U.S. are closer to a society in which people with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities as all members of their communities.”
The new law corrects narrow court interpretations that have restricted ADA protections. Individuals will now be considered as having a disability and eligible for protection without regard to the assistance they may use, such as medications, wheelchairs or prosthesis.
Board Meeting Minutes Updates
FYI-The board meeting minutes have been updated on Handicapable’s website You can view them here.
Buy-in option for Hoosiers not eligible for Healthy Indiana Plan
Hoosiers not eligible for the state’s Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) because they did not meet income qualification guidelines now have a buy-in option.
Previously, HIP was only available to Hoosiers earning below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is approximately $40,000 for a family of four. Now, the buy-in option is available to those whose income is above 200 percent of the FPL, or federal poverty level.
Learn what the Poverty Statistics are within Miami County
The buy-in option will include benefits similar to the original plan, which was introduced this past January. Currently HIP provides health coverage for uninsured Hoosiers between the ages of 19 and 65, who are below 200 percent FPL, who do not have Medicare or Medicaid, who have been uninsured for at least six months and who are not eligible for employer sponsored health coverage. Just like the HIP plan, participants will have a $1,100 deductible.
The cost of the buy-in option will be based on age, sex and geographic region, and there is no state or federal subsidization of the option. All applicants who are denied HIP coverage due to their income status will receive a notice from the Indiana Family and Social Security Administration (FSSA) about the buy-in option.
At this time, the only provider for the buy-in option is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, although the state’s other HIP provider, MDwise with Americhoice, is expected to offer its version later this year. Anyone interested in purchasing the HIP buy-in product should contact Anthem at 1.800.622.4075 (voice).
ISU Career Development Conference Nov. 19th-20th
ISU to host a conference on career development for people with disabilities 11/19 & 11/20
On November 19 and 20, Indiana State University will be hosting a free conference on career development for people with disabilities. “Customized Employment: Inventive Approaches to Career Development” will be in conference room 1 on the eleventh floor of the College of Education. The conference will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days.
Dave Hammis of Griffin-Hammis Associates will discuss how people with disabilities can start and operate their own businesses, including financial planning, support strategies, Social Security and more.
The event is free, but registration is required. The deadline for registration is November 17!
Customized Employment: Inventive Approaches to Career Development
November 19 and 20
9:00 am to 4:00 pm (both days)
Indiana State University
College of Education
Eleventh Floor, Conference Room 1
501 North 8th Street
Terre Haute, Indiana 47809
Campus map: http://www1.indstate.edu/admissions/map.pdf . The College of Education is #13, at the top right of the map. If clicking the link does not work, copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar.
For more information or to register, contact Marlene Lu. Phone: (812) 237-2842. Email: mlu3@indstate.edu.
Indy Brawlers, Indianapolis Wheelchair Rugby Strut their Stuff
The Indy Brawlers, an Indianapoils based wheelchair rugby team, were present at Miami’s Heartland First Annual Chili Cook-Off on October 11th, 2008. Not only was the Chili Cook-Off a blast, the rugby team were there to strut their stuff! This team is awesome! After playing for over an hour, everyone had the opportunity to “pay to play”. Needless to say while there were some brave souls willing to get in one of their gladiator style wheelchairs, many were afraid to attempt it! 
This sport is certainly not for the fragile and you must be willing to take a hit!
You can view a vide clip of The Indy Brawlers here.
