Disabilities / Public News Service

A 2023 AARP report finds Connecticut's 420,000 unpaid family caregivers in Connecticut provided care valued at $7.2 billion in 2021. Nationally, these caregivers provided over $600 billion in care during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

CT Unpaid Family Caregivers Working In Strained Conditions

The ongoing healthcare workforce shortage in Connecticut and across the U.S. is straining unpaid family caregivers. A 2023 AARP report finds they …

HB 209 would prohibit a person from receiving a payment or providing a payment to another person for distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of another person in certain circumstances.(Adobe Stock)

Civic Groups Unite to Fight Against Voter Suppression Tactics in the South

Civic groups are taking action against what they call voter suppression tactics in the South. This week Alabama Values, Southern Leadership for …

CDC data from 2020 reveals about one in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana School Tailors Program for College Students with Autism

College is the opportunity to gain some independence, learn time management and make new friends. But high school graduates with autism spectrum …

Accessible voting booths require staff to assist with machine use and collect completed ballots from people who are considered 'print-impaired.' (petrushin1984/Adobe Stock)

Voting for People with Visual Impairments Could Get Easier in IL

A proposed measure in Illinois aims to improve access to the ballot for visually impaired voters. Senate Bill 282, introduced by Sen. Julie Morrison…

To implement the changes caregivers are seeking, the State of Connecticut will need an additional $390 million in Medicaid funding for this budget to cover care for the elderly and people with disabilities in long-term care settings and their homes. Currently, federal funding covers 56% of Connecticut's Medicaid expenditures. (Adobe Stock)

CT Caregivers Call on State Leaders for Better Working Conditions

Caregivers in Connecticut are calling on state officials for better conditions and higher pay. They're seeking a $25 an hour minimum wage, paid …

Robert Fisher of Adel, Iowa, prevailed in his efforts to have an electronic button installed to operate the door at the local U.S. Post Office. (Robert Fisher/Iowa Council on Developmental Disabilities)

One Person's Battle Against the Post Office Prevails

A man in Adel who is part of Iowa's community of people with disabilities has been successful in having an electronic door installed at the U.S…

Eleven jurisdictions that have authorized medical aid in dying represent 22% of the nation's population. (Adobe Stock)

National Group Defends CA End-of-Life Option Amid Federal Lawsuit

A national nonprofit organization is speaking out about a federal lawsuit filed last week against California officials, challenging the state's End …

Across the nation, 54.7% of adults (28 millon people) with a mental illness don't receive treatment. (Adobe Stock)

NY Group Hosts Wellness Fair for Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, a New York organization is celebrating by helping people learn about mental health. The Center for the …

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates 5 million to 14 million people will lose Medicaid coverage as the public health emergency ends and states and resume the annual renewal process. (suthisak/Adobe Stock)

MO Medicaid Renewals Underway; Recipients Urged to Update Information

Missouri's Department of Social Services anticipates as many as 200,000 Missourians will lose their Medicaid benefits over the course of the next year…

Some 21,134 existing housing units in Denver are currently unoccupied, more than enough to house all the estimated 10,000 people experiencing homelessness across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Colorado's Housing Affordability Crisis Calls for Strategic Investments

Housing affordability has become a top priority for Colorado lawmakers and voters, and a new report from an organization with nearly four decades of …

Members of the Iowa Council on Developmental Disabilities gather at the State Capitol in support of direct support health care providers. (ICDD/Brooke Lovelace).

Advocates Rally at Capitol for More Provider Pay

With key deadlines approaching at the Iowa statehouse, advocates are calling on lawmakers to provide better wages for direct service professionals…

Jennifer McLelland's son James gives a thumbs-up as his ventilator equipment continues to run, thanks to a portable power station used during a recent power outage. (Jennifer McLelland)

Groups Call for Expanding Power Outage Battery-Backup Program

By Jennifer McLelland for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News …

Single adults in Colorado can earn up to $19,392 and a family of four can earn up to $39,900 per year, and still qualify for Medicaid health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Options for 325,000 Coloradans Losing Health Insurance

After Congress rolled back a pandemic-era policy that prohibited states from dropping Medicaid recipients from their rolls, 15 million people in …

Delayed speech and language skills in children could suggest an autism spectrum disorder. Left undiagnosed, a child can struggle in school and lack important socialization skills. (Adobe Stock)

IN Parents Urged to 'Act Early' to Help Detect Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Indiana has made early detection a priority. According to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at Indiana …

Members of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council gather at the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines in support of House File 264. (Brooke Lovelace/IDDC)

Lawmakers Propose Eliminating Taxes for IA Disability Care Providers

Iowa lawmakers have advanced legislation that would eliminate the income tax for health-care workers who support people with disabilities. Advocates …

Senate Bill 68 would raise real property taxes statewide by 20 cents per $500 of value to bolster supportive housing. (Adobe Stock)

NV Disability Community Feels Lawmakers Are 'Missing the Mark' on Housing

While some Nevada laws such as Senate Bill 68 aim to increase supportive housing for those with behavioral, mental and physical disabilities…

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act was signed into law in 2000 by President Bill Clinton. (Cliff Booth/Pexels)

Disability Rights Group Focuses on Employment in Indiana

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and this year's theme is "Beyond the Conversation". In Indiana, that could mean 'less talk and …

According to 2022 data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.3% of people with a disability were employed, which has increased from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge Age Cap Removal on NY Medicaid Buy-In Program

New York disability-rights advocates are calling for the age cap on the state's Medicaid Buy In Program to be raised or eliminated. The program is …

Washington state lawmakers will begin crafting their budgets as the session begins to wind down in April. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Housing Assistance on Docket for Lawmakers in Olympia

Affordable housing is a major concern in Washington state and lawmakers in Olympia are considering a slate of measures to address it. One option is …

It costs taxpayers $13,400 to provide supportive housing per person each year, compared with between $21,000 and $40,000 for medical care, incarceration, detox treatment and shelter services. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Denver Mayoral Candidates Off the Mark on Homeless Crisis

Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are pushing back against proposals by several Denver mayoral candidates who are including forced mental…

Members of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council attend the signing of House Resolution 9 at the State Capitol, observing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness month in Iowa. (Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council)

Advocates Call for More Awareness, Education During Developmental Disabilities Month

To recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, state lawmakers have signed a resolution to raise awareness surrounding people with …

More than 230,000 residents of New Hampshire, or roughly one in five adults, are diagnosed with a disability ranging from serious mobility issues to vision impairment. (Adobe Stock)

Disability Community Celebrates Life of Advocate Judy Heumann

The disability community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest advocates. Judy Heumann, often called the "mother of the disability rights …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, 30% of workers with a disability were employed part-time, compared with 16% of non-disabled workers. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Would Help Working Missourians with Disabilities

For Missourians with a disability, earning too much money, or having a spouse earn too much, can mean losing important Medicaid health coverage…

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to more than 1,060 projects, including 22 in Colorado, through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Colorado Seeking Projects to Help Improve Communities

AARP Colorado is putting out the call for creative projects to help improve communities, by creating new public transportation and housing options…

According to analysis by the American Health Care Association, job growth for nursing-home employees slowed in 2022. It says if that pace remains, nursing homes won't return to pre-pandemic staffing levels until 2027. (Adobe Stock)

CT General Assembly Considers Nursing-Home Reforms

Connecticut's General Assembly is considering legislation to establish sweeping nursing-home reforms. Senate Bill 989 would establish minimum …

The federal government can have a say in whether states add work requirements to their Medicaid programs. But South Dakota Republicans say it is worth exploring if 2024 brings a change in administrations, despite objections from those who say voters already approved the expansion. (Adobe Stock).

SD Considers Adding Work Requirement to Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota is poised to launch a Medicaid expansion this summer, after voters approved the idea last fall, but there is a legislative push to add a …

ADA Website Gets Makeover to Become More Accessible

A revamped website for the Americans with Disabilities Act has launched to make the site more accessible. The Justice Department has updated ADA.gov …

Nearly 7 million students with disabilities in the U.S. make up 14% of national public school enrollment, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

IA School Vouchers Pose Challenges for Students with Disabilities

Advocates for Iowans with disabilities say a new "school choice" law could allow discrimination against students with disabilities. The bill …

The Disability Inclusive Climate Action Research Program at McGill University and the International Disability Alliance report

March Trainings to Help People with Disabilities in Emergencies

The first of four training sessions is coming up March 6-7 in Springfield on preparedness to help individuals with disabilities survive a disaster…

More than 93,000 people live in certified nursing care facilities in California. (C.Davids/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: Nursing Homes Sedate Too Many Residents

Groups that advocate for older Americans are speaking out about the overuse of psychotropic medications in nursing homes. Last November, the …

ABLE Accounts, savings accounts for people with disabilities, are currently offered in 46 states. (Adobe Stock)

More Utahns Will be Eligible for State-Based ABLE Accounts

More people living with disabilities will be eligible to open state-based savings accounts known as ABLE accounts. They're part of the "Achieving a …

According to the American Council on Aging, the average

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More NE Long-Term Care Facilities Risk Closure Without Funding

Nebraska's long-term care facilities face staffing shortages and other factors that could lead to more closures if state funding isn't increased…

March 8 is Disability Day within the Nevada State Legislature, a day to highlight the realities of Nevadans living with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

NV Group Sounds Alarm on Integrated Work for Disabled Community

One Nevada group believes the state needs to prioritize integrated employment opportunities for people living with disabilities. The Nevada …

In addition to an aging population, 11% of Mainers have serious mobility impairments requiring targeted and inclusive long-term planning to ensure accessibility to public spaces across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Livable, Healthy Communities: Goal of AARP Planning Event

AARP Maine will sponsor an online workshop this week on long-range planning for health equity, with a focus on housing, community services and safe …

One billion people currently need assistive technology products, and more than two billion people around the world are expected to need at least one assistive technology product by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. (Adobe Stock)

Americans With Disabilities Act Website Gets User-Friendly Upgrades

The Americans with Disabilities Act website has gotten a makeover, with updated navigation tools and easy-to-find answers to common questions on …

Senior advocates point out that family caregivers perform a range of tasks such as shopping, transportation, meal preparation, medication management, wound care and home updates, ultimately saving the state money. (Adobe Stock)

WI Sees Renewed Calls for Caregiver Tax Credit

Wisconsin lawmakers are back in session and have a large budget surplus to work with. Advocates for the state's older residents hope any spending …

Medicaid home- and community-based services in New Hampshire were a smaller portion of all Medicaid long-term services and supports expenditures than nationally, totaling 47.2% in 2019, which was also lower than all other New England states. (Adobe Stock)

Creating a System of Healthy Aging in the Granite State

An alliance of health and consumer advocacy groups in the Granite State is working to create a coordinated system of long-term care for healthy aging…

Easterseals advises parents to have their child evaluated as early as age 2 for symptoms of autism. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Advocates Say Illinois Families Need More Help for Autistic Children

The rate of autism among American children has grown steadily over the past three decades, but advocates say funding support is not keeping up with …

Federal labor analysts say across all age groups, persons with disabilities were much less likely to be employed than those with no disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Fix Sought to Keep Workers with Disabilities On the Job

Medicaid "Buy In" is considered a key health insurance tool for workers with disabilities. But according to a new report, the reach of these programs …

MO Project to Disrupt 'School-to-Prison Pipeline' Gets a Boost

A new federal grant is giving schools in three Missouri counties and St. Louis City a fresh look at the challenges of students of color living with …

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

A Call for Greater Accessibility for Iowans with Disabilities

Iowans with disabilities said the state could be doing more to make public places more accessible and inclusive. In the new legislative session…

Consumer advocates say the power-wheelchair market is dominated by two national suppliers, both of which are owned by private equity firms, able to increase profits by limiting what they spend on technicians and repairs. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

MA Lawmakers Urged to Strengthen Wheelchair Warranty Protections

Advocates for people with disabilities say lawmakers in the Commonwealth must strengthen wheelchair warranty protections to ensure wheelchair users ar…

Nationwide, more than 700 nursing home residents died from COVID-19 during the four-week period ending on Oct. 23, and more than 35,000 were infected, according to <a href=

AARP. (Adobe Stock)">

AZ Nursing Homes Rank Poorly on COVID Boosters

Arizona is currently in last place nationwide in terms of nursing home residents and staff being up-to-date on their COVID-19 boosters. That's …

More than 25% of Missourians will be older than 60 by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

HCBS Cuts Threaten Services for Aging Population in Missouri

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which focuses attention on the unpaid care work of family members. The care provided by families …

According to a study done by CoStar Group, a real estate research company, most counties in Central New York have seen rental prices increase by at least 3% since 2019. (Adobe Stock)

New Affordable Housing to Aid CNY Renters, Eventually

Two new affordable housing developments in Central New York should help alleviate the region's affordability problem. The Wheat Street Apartments …

A UNH Granite State Poll found 60% of Republicans support school vouchers, compared with 8% of Democrats and 42% of Independents. Only about 28% of

Election Outcome Could Bring Big Changes to NH Public Schools

Republicans in New Hampshire have already submitted bills to expand the eligibility requirements for the state's Education Freedom Accounts Program…

Surveys of blind and low-vision voters following every presidential election since 2008 indicate that as many as one-third of poll workers don't know how to operate their location's accessible ballot-marking devices. (Adobe Photo)

'One4All' Accessible Voting in NH Expected to Grow

All polling places are required to have at least one accessible voting machine for federal elections, but as communities across New Hampshire age…

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for adults with disabilities rose to 38% in September 2022, up from 35.1% in 2021. However, this is still less than half the employment rate for people without disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

As Disability Employment Awareness Month Ends, NY Advocacy Continues

As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to a close, New Yorkers are contending there is more to do beyond October. According to the …

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