White House Begins Monthly Disability Calls

The White House Disability Group is now hosting MONTHLY DISABILITY CALLS, during which the public can call in to hear updates on a variety of disability-related issues.

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE DISABILITY GROUP:

In order to help keep you more informed, we are beginning in December to host monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the federal government. We strongly urge and ask that you distribute this email broadly so that anyone who wants to participate can do so.

Our first call will be this Friday, December 3, at 11:00 AM Eastern. The conference call information is below:
Dial in: (800) 230-1092
Title: Disability Call (use instead of code)
Date of Call: 12/03/10
Start Time: 11:00 AM Eastern

For live captioning, at time of call, log onto:
http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1663465&CustomerID=321

FCC Upgrades 911 Emergency Capabilities

From Disability.gov-- The Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) plans to upgrade the capabilities of the 9-1-1 emergency system by allowing texting, video streaming and data sharing as part of the National Broadband Plan's Next Generation 9-1-1.

Many people, particularly those with disabilities, depend on texting as their primary means of communication. In some emergency situations -- especially in circumstances where a call could further jeopardize someone’s life and safety -- texting is the only way to reach out for help.

For more information: http://www.disability.gov/technology/news_%26_events

ADD Summits Still Open for Registration

From the NRCA Capitol Insider--
There are three remaining summits sponsored by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). The Agency is seeking input on the following questions:

1. What do children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need to live happy lives with their families?
2. What do adults with IDD need to live meaningful lives in their communities?
3. What do seniors with IDD need to live long, healthy lives in their homes?

Visit http://www.envision2010.net/registration_about.php to register to participate via telephone or in person: on November 15 in Dallas, TX; December 2 in Detroit, MI; or December 6 in Denver, CO.

ADD oversees the programs created by the Developmental Disabilities Act:
1) Protection and Advocacy Systems (P & As)
2) Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils)
3) University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDs)
4) Projects of National Significance

Reduced Costs for People with Pre-Existing Med Conditions

From the NRCA Capitol Insider-- The Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) announced that it would be reducing premium rates for uninsured people with pre-existing medical conditions to join temporary high risk pools.

HHS will lower premiums by about 20 percent in 2011 for the 23 states participating in the federal government run Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan and asked the states running their own programs to consider lowering their rates as well. The high risk pools are very important for people with disabilities who are frequently priced out of most private health insurance plans. The pools are intended to provide needed coverage until the health status non-discrimination provisions and the establishment of the health insurance exchanges take effect in 2014.