E-Bulletin: May 9, 2023

White House: A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2023

President Biden signed this proclamation, highlighting federal initiatives to expand access to mental health care and support, and calling on citizens, government agencies, private businesses, and organizations to take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities.

Older Americans Month: Aging Unbound

Check out the resources from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). Join us in promoting flexible thinking about aging – and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

Tipsheet: My “Must Have” Papers – Managing the Paperwork of Adulting

This new publication from the Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (Transitions ACR) is available in English and Spanish. The factsheet explains what types of documents a person might need in everyday adult life, such as identification, medical and employment records, and Social Security cards. It covers which papers are important to hold on to and which can be discarded, which to have always available and which ones can be left at home or other secure location.

“Gallaudet, U.S. Naval Academy Debate the Issue of Deaf People Serving in the Military”

This article reports on a debate featuring teams from Gallaudet University and the U.S. Naval Academy. The mixed teams, each with one representative from each school and using a combination of American Sign Language and English, tackled the question: Should deaf people be allowed to serve in the United States military?

“Barbie Unveils First-Ever Doll with Down Syndrome”

Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to develop the first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome.

Accommodation and Compliance: Low Cost, High Impact

This latest report on the costs and benefits of providing reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities comes from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Thousands of employers responded to a survey, reporting that most accommodations cost little or nothing, and often resulted in increased employee retention, productivity, and attendance, as well as improved interactions with co-workers and overall safety and morale.

DOL: How Health Plans May Change as the COVID-19 Health Emergency Ends

Five Important Changes to Your Health Coverage Once the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is for workers and family members covered by employer’s health plans.

What Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Mean for Health Benefits?

This blog post is for employers and other health plan sponsors.

Videos on Service Animals

Check out the Great Lakes ADA Center’s YouTube channel for videos on “what businesses can ask” about service animals. Videos are available in English and Spanish.

Accessible Public Transportation During Disaster: A Lifeline for People with Disabilities

This blog post from the Strategic Communication Specialist for the FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) reminds people with disabilities, transportation providers, and emergency planners that the time to think about accessible and inclusive mobilization and evacuation is before disaster strikes.

Resources from the National Center for Mobility Management

The Shared Use Mobility Center and the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) collaborated to produce Universal Mobility: An Implementation Resource to help ensure transportation products, services, and practices are inclusive of all user groups.

Implementation of the Mobility Management Sustainability Assessment Tool: Lessons from the Field shares information and lessons learned from tests of this newly developed tool designed to assess the sustainability of mobility management networks.

The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM): Building Partnerships Checklist explores ways for state level coordination between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and non-DOT funded agencies.

The Mobility Management Network State Implementation Guide shares several examples of successful mobility management networks.

“How to Exercise When You Have a Chronic Condition or a Disability”

This article features recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as suggestions from physical therapists and personal trainers.

FEMA Seeks Stories of Resilience, Hosts Resilience Listening Sessions

Communities today face an increasingly complex set of challenges which undermine our ability to recover and thrive following disasters. People with disabilities and older adults may face additional challenges.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking stories of resilience and will host a series of virtual listening sessions to gather input and inform additional development of actionable resilience guidance and resources. Registration is free and required for each session, and seating is limited. Remaining sessions will be held May 9, May 25, June 6, and June 15. 

Public Transportation Emergency Relief Funds for Transit Systems Affected by Major Declared Disasters

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the opportunity to apply for $212 million in grants to states, territories, local governmental authorities, Indian tribes, and other FTA recipients affected by major declared disasters occurring in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Applications are due May 26, 2023.

Notice of Funding for Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $8.9 million in competitive grants for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program. Federally recognized tribes may use the funding for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses for public transit projects that meet the growing needs of rural tribal communities. Applications are due June 26, 2023.

HUD Seeks Public Comment on Section 504 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in any program or activity that receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD originally issued Section 504 regulations 35 years ago, and now seeks public input on potential changes, including how to account for advances in accessible design, the use of websites and other technology, and auxiliary aids and services, including assistive technologies, that have become available in recent years.

HUD invites individuals with disabilities, HUD funding recipients, and other interested individuals and organizations to respond to a number of questions that relate to HUD’s existing Section 504 regulations. Comments must be submitted by July 24, 2023.

Exhibition: Hard Hit: Comparing Pandemics in the Deaf Community

This new exhibition at the National Deaf Life Museum at Gallaudet University examines experiences at Gallaudet, in the District of Columbia, and within the Deaf community at large, during the 1918 so-called “Spanish flu” pandemic and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The exhibition is open through December 2023 at the Weyerhaeuser Gallery in the I. King Jordan Student Academic Center, adjacent to the MarketPlace.