Take Action to Support Autism Insurance Reform in Congress

Federal Action on Health Care Reform legislation is taking center stage in Congress. Even though more and more states are passing laws to require insurance companies to provide full treatment coverage for people with autism, the vast majority of states do not. Thus, there is good cause for federal legislation in this area.

Please follow this link to Autism Speaks. You will find the telephone numbers for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, so you can call their offices and leave messages. You will also be able to send e-mails to your local representative and senators. Please take time to do this. This is very important to parents (like me) and people with autism (my son). Please spread the word.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Nidich

Case of autistic Marine brings recruiting problems to the forefront

Here is an incredibly sad article from the Los Angeles Times about a young man with high-functioning autism who was recruited into the Marines. Not surprisingly, he didn't quite understand the rules, being yelled at constantly by his drill instructors, and all the other matters faced by a new recruit at boot camp. So, he simply decided to leave to go home (to a group home where he had been living when he signed up) but didn't make it out the gate. When his drill instructors finally learned he had autism, instead of having him evaluated for discharge, they simply eased up on him; so he could get through boot camp successfully.

He did get through the eleven-week program (somehow). He was then sent to Camp Pendleton for infantry training. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested for desertion and another crime. That was one year ago. That's right: He has been in the brig at Camp Pendleton for one year. He is also facing another charge, FRAUDULENT ENLISTMENT. The young man is under a conservatorship and cannot legally enter into a contract by himself. A motion to dismiss the charges against him on the ground that he didn't have the legal capacity to enlist was denied. Another hearing in this matter is scheduled for July 27th.

PLEASE pass on this post to everyone else you know who might want to help this young man. Also send it to your Representative and Senators.

READ MORE

Supreme Court Approves Reimbursement for Private Special Education Services

In Forest Grove School District v. T. A., decided by the Supreme Court on June 22, 2009, the issue decided was whether the 1997 Amendments to the IDEA prevented Courts from ordering school districts from having to pay for private special education services. An Administrative Due Process Hearing Officer held that the Forest Grove School District violated the IDEA by not providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and ordered the school district to reimburse T. A. for private special education services in T. A.'s junior and senior years of high school. The school district refused and filed suit in the federal district court.

The district court held in favor of the school district, but the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed. The Supreme Court accepted the case for review. The 6 - 3 majority (perhaps to become a 7 - 2 majority if and when the Senate confirms Judge Sonia Sotomayor) held that the 1997 Amendments did not change the law and affirmed the Ninth Circuit's decision. The following quotation from the end of the majority's opinion sets out the standard:

"When a court or hearing officer concludes that a school district failed to provide a FAPE and the private placement was suitable, it must consider all relevant factors, including the notice provided by the parents and the school district's opportunities for evaluating the child, in determining whether reimbursement for some or all of the cost of the child's private education is warranted."

Opinion

History, Briefs, and Other Information

Blogged with the Flock Browser

HHS Announces Initiatives in Support of the “Year of Community Living”

June 22, 2009 -

Goal is to create Aging and Disability Resource Centers in every State

In support of President Obama’s proclamation of the “Year of Community
Living,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding
opportunity that will make it easier for older people, younger adults,
and their families to learn about and access health and long-term care
options through Aging and Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs). 
ADRCs provide “one-stop shop” sources of information, one-on-one
counseling, and streamlined access to programs and services that can
enable people to remain in their own homes and communities.

Read Full Press Release with excellent hyperlinks for more information

Blogged with the Flock Browser

HUD TO OFFER HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 4,000 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

June 22, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today joined President Obama's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by announcing that it will offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other care facilities. Through its funding notice, HUD is seeking comment from public housing authorities and others to ensure this critically needed assistance is distributed and administered in the most effective manner possible.
Read Full Press Release

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Student Loans, Loan Forgiveness Program, and More

President Obama's budget contained programs for tuition and loan forgiveness for students.

Go to the GovCentral Web site for more information.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

EEOC Votes to Revise Rules to Conform to ADA Amendments Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has voted to revise its regulations to conform to changes made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, which would make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability.

View Original Article

Blogged with the Flock Browser