Order Disability Awareness Month materials now
In March 2004, the Council will launch a new Disability Awareness Month campaign focusing on inclusion for people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Order your materials now by completing the order form included with this issue of On Target.
The 2004 Disability Awareness Month theme is, "Freedom from Exclusion: Inclusion Now." This year's poster, in the style of great American artist Norman Rockwell, depicts a contemporary polling place that presents several challenges for people with disabilities trying to participate in the electoral process. Other materials, including the button (pictured here), will carry the same theme.
Materials include posters, bookmarks, buttons, stickers and more. In addition, more than 25 information packets are available to aid advocates in conducting awareness activities in their communities. Topics range from special event planning to building awareness in classrooms. Theme-related activity guides also are available.
The inspiration for this year's campaign comes from a Council-sponsored Indiana organization called Fifth Freedom, which commissioned the artwork that appears on the poster. In the 1940s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined the four main freedoms Americans should cherish - freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom from want. The Fifth Freedom organization was formed based on the concept that a fifth guarantee of freedom - the freedom from exclusion - is necessary, especially for people with disabilities.
Communities across the state will celebrate Disability Awareness Month 2004 with activities carried out by thousands of advocates and people with disabilities. The activities include awareness fairs, ADA training, essay contests and displays in schools, government agencies and businesses.
To place an order or for more information:
Please return order forms to or contact Kim Dennison at
Borshoff Johnson Matthews
47 S. Pennsylvania St., Suite 500
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 631-6499 (fax)
kdennison@bjmpr.com (e-mail)
For questions, call Kim at (317) 631-6400 (voice).
Getting involved in Fifth Freedom
Fifth Freedom is a statewide, grassroots network of individuals and disability-related organizations working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The organization, which is funded by the Council, enables people and organizations to support one another in advocacy activities and work together on systems change projects.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.fifthfreedom.org or contact Fifth Freedom at (866) 441-2577 (voice), (260) 441-7760 (fax) or Info@FifthFreedom.org (e-mail).
Disability-friendly gift options abound
As the holidays approach, many people begin searching for that perfect gift for a loved one with a disability. Fortunately, many options exist. Choose something related to that person's interests and abilities, such as magnifiers or large-print texts for avid readers with visual impairments.
Other resources include:
- Dragonfly Toys - Search products based on a child's unique abilities. www.dragonflytoys.com or (800) 308-2208 (voice)
- Soundbytes - Gifts for people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Options include sign language alphabet rubber stamp sets, T-shirts, bumper stickers and board games. www.soundbytes.com or (888) 816-8191 (voice/TT)
- The National Braille Press - Many popular adult and children's titles in Braille and a book of the month club for younger children. www.nbp.org or orders@nbp.org (e-mail)
- Independent Living Aids - Product categories include cooking, computers, health care, leisure, lamps and more. www.independentliving.com or (800) 537-2118 (voice)
- Courage Cards and Gifts - Holiday cards, snacks, decorations and more. Profits support independent living services for people with disabilities. www.couragecards.org or (800) 992-6872 (voice)
Disability-related bills stalled in Congress
Congress continued to focus on appropriations bills before it adjourned in early October. For that reason, the status of many other bills of interest to people with disabilities did not change.
The Family Opportunity Act (or Dylan Lee James Act) (S. 622) was passed out of the Senate Committee on Finance and at press time was awaiting a floor vote in the Senate.
If the bill is passed, states could allow middle-income families to purchase their state's Medicaid plan for children with disabilities.
In early September, the Senate Committee on Finance approved a bill to reauthorize the Transitional Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The bill includes some provisions of the Pathways to Independence Act (S. 1523) allowing states to treat people with disabilities' participation in rehabilitation services as participation in work activities.
Another bill to watch is the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2003 (S. 538, H.R. 1083), which passed the Senate in April and has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health. It would authorize grant funds to help families access quality, affordable respite care.
Finally, Congress set an Oct. 17 deadline for conference committee negotiations on Medicare reform. Although committee members have resolved some minor issues, many differences remain.
Visit thomas.loc.gov to follow the progress of these and other federal disability-related bills.
Report analyzes Olmstead implementation
In August, the National Council on Disability released an analysis of state and federal implementation of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. According to the report, "Olmstead: Reclaiming Institutionalized Lives," home and community-based services are effective, but much more needs to be done.
"Ultimately, only comprehensive amendments to Title XIX of the Social Security Act ... will overcome the institutional bias within the Medicaid program," the report states.
The report highlights many promising state practices in the design, delivery and financing of home and community-based services. Among them is Indiana's implementation plan, which "should serve as a model for other states," according to the report. Specifically, Indiana's plan focuses on the most urgent barriers, assigning recommendations to one of three categories: actions that should be implemented quickly and will have little or no fiscal or regulatory impact; actions that should be implemented quickly and will have fiscal or regulatory impact; and actions that are more complex or costly and will require more time to implement.
In addition, the report includes recommendations for the federal government, including:
- Providing more explicit guidance on Olmstead implementation.
- Shifting the Real Choice Systems Change grant from funding demonstration projects to funding changes that affect entire service systems.
- Requiring states to identify all institutionalized people and their needs in terms of home and community-based services.
- Using waiver approval authority to require states to minimize institutional bias.
- Providing federal financial assistance to states to give small grants to people with disabilities for transition costs.
For a copy of the report, visit www.ncd.gov or call (202) 272-2004 (voice) or (202) 272-2074 (TT).
Study examines home modification services
A new report describes the status of home modification services in Indiana that increase accessibility, safety and independence for people with disabilities in their homes.
"Home Modification Services in Indiana" is based on a study funded by the Council and the Indiana Housing Finance Authority and conducted by the Center on Aging and Community of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. It examines the current state of home modification services, identifies barriers to development and makes recommendations to improve the status of these services.
Among the survey findings is that home modification services are not equally available to consumers in various regions of the state. In addition, the demand for such services is increasing while the amount of available funds is decreasing or, at best, remaining stable.
The greatest barriers to service delivery include lack of public funding, the red tape of funding applications and lack of consumer awareness of available services, according to the report.
The report's recommendations to improve the status of home modification services include:
- Improved networking among home modification service providers.
- Enhanced funding and timely reimbursements.
- Additional training for professionals in the home modification industry.
- Streamlined administrative requirements.
To receive a copy of "Home Modification Services in Indiana," visit www.iidc.indiana.edu/cac or call (812) 855-6508 (voice).
FDA approves wheelchair that can climb stairs
Wheelchair manufacturer Independence Technology received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market its new Independence iBOT 3000 Mobility System, a power wheelchair that climbs stairs, among other functions.
"The iBOT Mobility System will provide new levels of personal freedom and accessibility for people with disabilities," Independence Technology claims.
The new wheelchair has several special functions, including:
- Stair-climbing.
- Balance - Allows for vertical movement. Users can move around at eye level and reach high places independently.
- Four-wheel drive - Enables the user to climb curbs as high as 4 inches and travel over many kinds of terrain, including gravel, grass and sand.
- Remote control capabilities - Makes it possible for users to detach the joystick and drive the empty iBOT into the back of a vehicle for easy transport.
The iBOT should be available nationwide by the end of the year. But at $29,000, it is far more expensive than basic wheelchairs. Independence Technology still is negotiating with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers to cover the cost.
For more information, visit www.independencenow.com or call (866) 813-0761 (voice).
Paralympic athletes sue Olympic Committee
Three Paralympic athletes have filed suit in federal district court against the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) claiming discrimination under the ADA.
The athletes' suit, Hollonbeck v. United States Olympic Committee, claims the USOC discriminates against Paralympic athletes by refusing to provide them the same benefits it provides to Olympic athletes. Those benefits include elite training, coaching, performance incentives and health insurance.
"This sort of discrimination would not be tolerated if it were based on race or gender," said athlete Scot Hollonbeck, one of the plaintiffs in the case.
Hollonbeck has competed in three Paralympic Games, winning two gold and three silver medals. He holds U.S. records in 800-, 1,500- and 5,000-meter wheelchair races and is a former Wheelchair Sports USA Athlete of the Year.
According to the suit, the USOC spends only about 3 percent of its four-year budget on Paralympic efforts, despite the fact that the Paralympic team is generally about one-third the size of the Olympic team. The athletes also complain of being barred from opening ceremonies at the Olympics during a year in which wheelchair racing was an Olympic exhibition event.
Of Note
Site links consumers with assistive technology
The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA), a national network of assistive technology resource centers, vendors, community-based organizations and individuals, has launched The Hub, a free interactive service focusing on assistive technology products and services. The site, www.ATAccess.org/hub, is designed to simplify the process of finding the best assistive technology for an individual's needs.
Last chance: Register now for annual conference
On Dec. 2-3, Marca Bristo, Rachel Simon and Stephen Gold, J.D., will be headliners at the annual Indiana Conference for People with Disabilities. The event, to be held at the downtown Indianapolis Westin hotel, will feature a variety of workshops and speakers, as well as exhibits and a 1950s-themed reception. The registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 17. Download a registration form at www.IN.gov/gpcpd or contact the Council at (317) 232-7770 (voice), (317) 232-7771 (TT) or GPCPD@gpcpd.org (e-mail).
Home rehabilitation grants available in Hendricks County
Low-income Hendricks County homeowners can now apply for home rehabilitation grants of up to $40,000 from the Hendricks County Community Development Corporation. Awards may be used to replace or repair furnaces, roofs, siding, windows, doors, insulation and more. Special consideration will be given to applicants with disabilities. Income restrictions range from $13,450 for a one-person household to $25,400 for an eight-person household. For more information, contact Angie Pappano at (317) 781-1651 (voice) or apappano@attglobal.net (e-mail).
Save the date!
The 2003 Conference for People with Disabilities will be held Dec. 2-3 at the downtown Indianapolis Westin hotel.
Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities
150 West Market Street, Suite 628
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-7770 voice
(317) 232-7771 TT
E-mail: GPCPD@gpcpd.org
Web site: www.state.in.us/gpcpd
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