Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
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Pitts says he thinks the court could strike the mandate,
but is unlikely to strike the law. | AP Photo
House GOP to offer health reform 'replace' plan after SCOTUS rules
A top House Republican on Wednesday said GOP lawmakers will put forward an alternative to the health care reform law after the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the law.
"We will be ready to respond to the Supreme Court decision, which is expected in June, with a replacement package," House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee chairman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) told a small group of reporters in the Capitol on Wednesday.
Pitts said he personally anticipates that the court could strike the mandate but is unlikely to strike the entire law. He said House leadership is looking to the timing of a likely court decision to make its case against the Democrats' signature health reform law. ...
Read the full story on our Federal Issues News page
Administration submits Medicaid waiver request
A Medicaid waiver request that is part of Gov. Sam Brownback's KanCare plan has been completed and will go today to federal officials, according to the Governor's Office.
A "concept paper" outlining the changes the administration seeks also was posted today on the state health department website.
Administration officials have said they can move forward with many - but not all - provisions of their Medicaid makeover plan without federal approval.
The administration's KanCare plan, which would expand Medicaid managed care to include the elderly, disabled and mentally ill, was unveiled Nov. 8, 2010 and has been the subject of several legislative hearings. ...
Read the full story on our State/Local Issues News page
Virginia to transform system of caring for developmentally disabled
Virginia will close all but one of its large institutions for the developmentally disabled and move thousands of people into their own homes, their family’s homes or group homes as part of a 10-year, $2.1 billion settlement announced Thursday with the U.S. Justice Department.
After decades of legislative reports urging a shift toward community care, Virginia is one of the few states that still place people with developmental disabilities in large institutions. ...
... "The agreement will serve the commonwealth's moral interest in serving people with developmental disabilities in the way most conducive to independence and full participation in community life," said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the civil rights division. ...
Read the full story on our Civil Rights News page
ACTIVITY CODES FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES (T1019) IN THE MR/DD WAIVER AND PERSONAL SERVICES (S5126) IN THE PD AND TBIWAIVERS, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
ACTIVITY CODES FOR ATTENDANT CARE SERVICES LEVEL I, LEVEL II, AND SELF-DIRECTED IN THE FRAIL ELDERLY WAIVER, (PDF Format) (Word Format)
SRS Accepting LIEAP Applications!
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
To qualify you must be personally responsible for purchasing heating costs at the address where you live and have atotal household income that doesn't exceed 130% of the federal poverty level.
LIEAP applications (paper and online) will be available January 18, 2012 through March 30, 2012. For more information on LIEAP visit: http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/ees/
Pages/Energy/EnergyAssistance.aspx
Please Let NCIL Know: Have You Been Informed by Your State Education Agency About ESEA Waivers?
In an issue of the WhAM! released earlier this month, we reported updated information on the Department of Education’s (DOE) Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waivers flexibility program. Now we need your help and we need your stories about your state’s process. ...
2012 Kansas Mission of Mercy
February 17-18
Kansas City Community College
65th & State Avenue
The Kansas Mission of Mercy (KMOM) Dental Project is a two day clinic designed to provide urgent dental care to as many patients as the KMOM volunteer dental professionals are able to treat.Patients receive Treatment on a first come, first served basis. (Doors open at 5:30am)
Faces of Medicaid
In Faces of Medicaid, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured documents the experience of Americans across the nation who rely upon Medicaid and describes the many ways in which Medicaid assists them.
New to the TILRC Website:
Employment1st.org - Across Kansas, there are many people trapped by attitudes toward their physical and mental disabilities, attitudes that deem them unemployable. The Employment1st.org website shows how wrong those attitudes are. In a series of stories, you will find information of interest to employers, to families and supporters, and to people with disabilities about how employment success is achieved.
Disability Statistics Compendium, November 2011 (PDF) - The Disability Statistics Compendium is an annual publication of the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research containing statistics on people with disabilities and government programs that serve them.
Job Openings
- SILC Coordinator, Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council, application deadline February 10, 2012
- Independent Living Peer Guide, Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc., MA
- Vocational Program Manager, Sothern California Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (SCRS)
- Executive Director, Center for Independent Living of Broward, application deadline January 31, 2012
- Executive Director, Center for Living & Working, Inc. of Worcester, Massachusetts, application deadline January 31, 2012
- Executive Director, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, Topeka KS
- FamiliesUSA Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice, application deadline January 27, 2012
- Healthcare Policy Organizer, The Boston Center for Independent Living
- RN Care Coordinator, IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee, WI
Internships:
- NCIL Policy Internship, Washington, D.C.
- FamiliesUSA Spring 2012 Internships
Scholarships:
- Through the Looking Glass Scholarships for high school seniors or college students who have parents with disabilities. (application deadline is March 5, 2012)
- National Federation of the Blind 2012 Scholarship Program for blind scholars pursuing or planning to pursue a postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the 2012 scholastic year. (application deadline is March 31, 2012)
ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Empowering Parents in the Transition Process - Kansas Secondary Connections (KSSC) invites you to participate in a one-hour webinar on parent engagement in the transition to adulthood process for high school students with disabilities. January 26, 2012, 1:00pm.
AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series
The next in the series of webcasts will be:
Accessible Courthouses and Courtrooms , February 02, 2012, 1:30 - 3pm
EASI Webinars
Overview of the Accessibility of Mainstream E-Readers, February 09, 2011, 1pm CT
Causes of the Chasm: Factors that Impact Employment Among Persons with Disabilities, A Mathematica Issue Forum and Webcast Presented by the Center for Studying Disability Policy (CSDP), February 16, 2012, 11 - 12:30 CT
ESPA Distance Learning Opportunities
Connecting CILs and Mobility Managers for Accessible Transportation, February 29, 2012, 1:00-2:30 p.m. CST
Think College Webinar Series
Finding Jobs for Students with Intellectual Disability: Where do you start?, March 7, 2012, 1- 2:30pm CT
POLICYMAKERS/RESEARCHERS NEED YOUR INPUT:
Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission (EFOC) Seeking Comments on Goals for Employment First Implementation - EFOC has completed their goals for the next couple of years and would like input from people with disabilities. Deadline for comments is March 01, 2012. Please email comments to Martha Gabehart at mgabehart@kcdcinfo.com. Public comments will also be taken at the EFOC meeting at the Emporia Public Library, March 2 at 1:00 pm. (EFOC Annual Report and Goals)
Topeka Transportation Improvements and Priorities Survey - The Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) is in the process of updating the regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP will include planned improvements, all forms of transportation, to the year 2040. As part of the LRTP process, the MTPO is seeking public input regarding potential regional transportation improvements and priorities, which will help the various governmental agencies evaluate and prioritize improvements throughout the region. (The survey will be available until Wednesday, February 1st)
Participants Needed for Paid Survey on Fitness Technology - The University at Buffalo is conducting a research study to improve the methods of communicating new research findings on Exercise Science / Fitness Environment / Technology to potential information users. If you are interested in learning more about the study or would like to participate, please send an email to: Sue Arnold, sphhp-kt4tt@buffalo.edu, Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer, University at Buffalo
SABE Self Determination Survey - Tell SABE if your local or statewide self advocacy organization's activities help its members to be more self-determined.
Autism Study Participants Needed! - The Neurocognitive Development of Autism Lab at KU is looking for families with boys between the ages of 2 and 5 with Autism to participate in research at their lab in Lawrence. If you are interested please contact the Neurocognitive Development of Autism Lab at 785.513.5345 or autismlab@ku.edu.
Access to 9-1-1 for People with Disabilities Survey
PECS Survey for Parents of Children with Autism - This survey askes asks parents to describe their children's Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training, their children's PECS use, and their own attitudes towards PECS.
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) for Wireless Technologies Survey on Accessibility and Usability of Wireless Technology
Topeka ADA Advisory Council Members Needed!
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD! - Help eliminate the use of the R-word in everyday speech.