Weekly News (February 7 - February 11)

New Effort Launched to Help Veterans with Disabilities Live Independently at Home (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jan. 7, 2011)
There’s a new effort to help veterans stay out of nursing homes and live independently at home.

Group creates lifelong networks for people with disabilities (The Record, Jan. 28, 2011)
There are local organizations that help families build a caring community around a family member with a disability. They meet regularly to discuss any issues and help the family plan for the future.

Feds Reach Americans with Disabilities Act Settlement With H&R Block (Consumer Affairs, Feb. 1, 2011)
The DOJ has reached a settlement with H&R Block. The settlement requires H&R Block to provide sign language for people who can’t hear.

Mayoral election to impact city’s disabled community (ABC News, Feb. 6, 2011)
Twenty percent of people in Chicago have a disability.  As the mayoral election draws near, people with disabilities could have an impact.

More disabled travelers complaining about airlines (The Seattle Times, Feb. 4, 2011)
More and more people with disabilities are complaining that airlines are violating their rights.

Weekly News (January 24 - January 28)

CDC In The Dark About Health Of Americans With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Jan. 14, 2011)
In a new report, the CDC said too little is known about the health-related experiences of Americans with disabilities.

Travelocity makes website accessible to blind (BizReport, Jan. 18, 2011)
Travelocity has committed to making its website fully accessible to people who are blind. The changes take effect July 1st.

Technology Improves Seniors Ability to Live Independently (Emax Health, Jan. 18, 2011)
Read about new technologies that help seniors live independently longer…

Americans With Disabilities Use Internet Less, Survey Indicates (Pew Internet, Jan. 21, 2011)
According to new study by Pew, people with disabilities use the Internet less than people without disabilities.

Related article: For the disabled, just getting online is a struggle

Feud Over Best Setting for the Disabled (The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 24, 2011)
The Justice Department is suing an Arkansas company over its housing for people with disabilities, claiming the residents aren’t allowed to move around as much as they should. The suit is stirring the debate over housing for people with disabilities in big institutions versus small group homes.

Disabled Passions
Check out Disables Passions—a free online dating and social networking site for people with disabilities.

Weekly News (January 3 - January 7)

A New Nursing Home Population: The Young (NPR, Dec. 9, 2010)
Young people are going into nursing homes at a high rate.  In fact, people ages 31-64 make up 14% of the nursing home population – up 10% from 10 years ago. Unfortunately the data doesn’t say why. Read about one young woman’s fight to receive her care in-home, rather than in a nursing home.

Youth In Nursing Homes Seek Alternative Care (NPR, Dec. 9, 2010)
More than 6,000 young people under the age of 21 are living in nursing homes. And thousands more are in their early 20s.  Read about one young man’s battle to leave a nursing home.

Study To Tackle Obesity Epidemic Among People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Dec. 16, 2010)
A new study is underway to determine why obesity is common among young people with disabilities, and what the ramifications are.

United Airlines Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit (Trading Markets, Dec. 21, 2010)
United Airlines is settling a federal lawsuit alleging it violated the ADA by refusing to allow employees with disabilities work reduced hourly schedules.

Father’s App Lets Disabled Son ‘Speak’ Thru iPad (ABC News, Dec. 24, 2010)
Read how one father, who has a son with disabilities, can now communicate with him thanks to an iPad application.

Many with developmental disabilities ‘trapped’ in nursing homes, lawsuit contends (Star-Telegram, Dec. 20, 2010)
In Texas, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the state claiming people with disabilities are “trapped” in nursing homes providing inadequate care.

Jewel-Osco pays $3.2M to settle discrimination complaint (Naperville Sun, Jan. 6, 2011)
Jewel-Osco is paying $3M to settle a federal discrimination lawsuit alleging the company had a policy and practice of firing people with disabilities at the end of medical leaves.