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News Highlights For November & December 2008
From Inclusion Daily Express
Disability Rights News Service
Accessibility
Advocates Mobilize To Let Institution Residents Know Of Their
Right To Vote
Accessibility Only Applies To "Official" Polling
Places In Indiana
YMCA Probably Won't Build Temporary Ramp
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Molski Appeal
Ninth Circuit Overturns Ruling On Disabled Seating At Movie
Theaters
Advocacy Firm Reaches Accessibility Agreement With Golden
Gate Recreation Area
Advocacy
Disability Rights Coalition Criticizes McCain-Palin Ticket
Iowans Vote To have "Idiot" Dropped From State Constitution
The Arc Wants To Training Centers Closed
Texas Advocates Interrupt Meeting To Voice Outrage Over
Latest Federal Report
Community Living
People With Developmental Disabilities Celebrate Agreement
With State Of Illinois
Several States Cut Services For Seniors And People With
Disabilities
Economy Slows Progress For Coloradoans With Developmental
Disabilities
Crimes Against People With Disabilities
County Investigates State-Licensed Care Provider Over Woman's
Death
Watchdog: State Failed Girl That Died From Restraint, And May
Still Fail Others
County Decides To Settle Inmate's Civil Rights Lawsuit
Education
Board Suspends Kindergarten Teacher That Held Class Vote To
Oust 5-Year-Old
Ten-Year-Old Held Three Days In Juvenile Detention After
Acting Up In Class
Crowd Calls On University Board To Let Student Live In Dorm
Disability Advocacy Group Sues Oakland University Over
Student Dorm Issue
Former Teacher Sues School District Over Corporal Punishment
Refusal
University, DOJ Agree On Plan To Improve Campus Accessibility
Employment
Recession Hits Americans With Disabilities Extra Hard
State Training Facility Sits On Superfund Hazard Site
Institutions
Officials Defend Staffing Decisions At Glenwood
Video Shows Patient's Death While Staff Played
Officials Contest Justice Department Allegations Over
Beatrice Center
State Fires Three Workers, Disciplines Ten More, Over
Patient's Death
State Fines Woodward Resource Center $12,500 For Latest
Violations
Justice Department Blasts Texas Over Institution Problems
Advocacy, Inc. Calls For Halting Texas State School
Admissions
Alabama Advocacy Program Demands State Close Partlow Center
Despite Laws, Mental Patients Are Locked Up For Years
In Other News
Washington Voters Pass Assisted Suicide Measure
Veteran Angered After VA Hospital Refused Service Dog
Most Kids Dropped Off At Nebraska Safe Havens Share Mental
Health Challenges
Dad Chains Self To Power Meter To Keep Power On For
Daughter's Medical Equipment
Legislative Audit Finds Agency Fails People With Mental
Disabilities
Governors Push President-Elect For Help With Budget
Shortfalls
FDA Denies 'Medical Device' Status To Palm Pistol
New World Wide Web Accessibility Standards Introduced
BYU Study: Physical Disabilities Bring Marital Happiness
Census: Number Of Americans With Disabilities Reaches 54.4
Million
States Slash Medicaid Coverage
ACCESSIBILITY
Advocates Mobilize To Let Institution Residents Know
Of Their Right To Vote
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA--Disability rights advocates across the country
mobilized this fall to make sure people in psychiatric hospitals, nursing
homes, and other institutions know of their rights and exercise them on
Election Day. For months, advocates have helped those with mental
disabilities to register to vote, fill out absentee ballots, or get to and
from polling sites. They have been met with resistance by others who fear
that those outside the facilities might influence the votes of residents. --
Accessibility Only Applies To "Official"
Polling Places In Indiana
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA--In Indiana, voters with disabilities are allowed
to have an assistant help them at their polling places. But the law is not
very clear when it comes to "satellite" voting stations, which are
set up at locations other than the courthouse, such as in shopping malls.
Several voters contacted the Tribune-Star to report that poll workers did not
allow them to vote early at satellite locations, saying the law only applied
to "official" polling places, and only on Election Day.
YMCA Probably Won't Build Temporary Ramp
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT--The Greenwich Family YMCA said it plans to
make its facilities fully accessible, but probably not until it has finished
renovating the 96-year-old building -- next summer. The family of Luis
Gonzalez-Bunster had asked the Y to make its facility accessible to him and
his wheelchair so he can train for a January marathon. His sister Carolina
had toured the building last month and found that, even though nearly
everything inside the newly remodeled facility was accessible, there were no
ramps or lifts for Luis to get into the building. The family's attorney has
threatened to take the Y to court for failing to follow city, state and
federal accessibility laws.
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Molski Appeal
WASHINGTON, DC--California's self-proclaimed ADA "Sheriff"
has run out of appeals in his crusade to make businesses comply with the
18-year-old federal law. In November, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down
Jarek Molski's appeal of a federal judge's order that he can no longer use
the Americans with Disabilities Act to file lawsuits against businesses that
fail to be accessible to him and other wheelchair users, and other people
with disabilities. The high court did not comment on why it refused to hear
Molski's appeal. Between 1998 and 2004, Molski filed more than 400 lawsuits
over accessibility problems in restaurants, wineries and other California
businesses, mostly in coastal towns. He said he considered himself a public
servant that simply tried to make businesses comply with the 1990
anti-discrimination law.
Ninth Circuit Overturns Ruling On Accessible Seating
At Movie Theaters
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA--The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
overturned a ruling that would have required a major movie theater chain to
retrofit auditoriums at 96 multiplexes containing nearly 2,000 auditoria
around the country to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The
court's three-member panel unanimously agreed that U.S. District Judge
Florence-Marie Cooper abused her discretion when she ordered AMC
Entertainment, Inc. to modify multiplexes that were designed or built before
the government gave "fair notice" of what it believed was required
so that patrons with disabilities could watch films in facilities with
stadium-style seating.
Advocacy Firm Reaches Accessibility Agreement With
Golden Gate Recreation Area
MARIN, CALIFORNIA--An agreement has been worked out between the
nonprofit law firm Disability Rights Advocates and the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area that will make park lands more accessible to people with
disabilities. The agreement settles a class-action lawsuit that the group
filed against the National Park Service alleging park areas and trails were
not accessible.
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ADVOCACY
Disability Rights Coalition Criticizes McCain-Palin
Ticket
WASHINGTON, DC--The National Coalition for Disability Rights has
condemned the Republican Presidential campaign of Senator John McCain and
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for "ridiculing the legal rights of people
with disabilities." NCDR referred to news reports that McCain-Palin campaign
representative Senator Kit Bond joined Palin in a Missouri rally, mocking
Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama for saying he wants to
nominate federal judges that empathize with people that have disabilities.
Disability rights groups have already criticized McCain for his refusal to
support the Community Choice Act, a bipartisan measure that would allow
Medicaid long-term care recipients to choose supports to stay in their own
homes rather than being forced into nursing homes and other institutions.
Iowans Vote To have "Idiot" Dropped From
State Constitution
DES MOINES, IOWA--At a margin of 4 to 1, Iowa voters passed a ballot
measure that will change the state's Constitution to describe someone who
can't vote because of mental disabilities as "a person adjudged mentally
incompetent to vote," rather than an "idiot or insane person."
It required a majority to pass.
The Arc Wants To Training Centers Closed
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA--More than 400 disability advocates, organized by
The Arc, gathered at the Virginia capitol end early December to send
lawmakers the message that everyone should live in the community, not in
institutions. The advocates have been calling for the closure of institutions
in the state and for the money to go to local communities.
Texas Advocates Interrupt Meeting To Voice Outrage
Over Latest Federal Report
AUSTIN, TEXAS--About 20 angry disability rights activists interrupted
a meeting of the council advising the Department of Aging and Disability
Services, to draw attention to a U.S. Department of Justice report that
listed "systemic deficiencies" throughout Texas' 13 large
institutions. Shouting "Fifty-three murders on your watch!" and
"People are dying, shame on you!" the group, including members of
Community Now!, waved signs and emptied a bag of 53 toy watches, painted red,
on the floor near the panel. DADS officials called for security personnel,
but about 10 minutes after the protest began, the demonstrators left without
incident or arrests, local newspapers reported.
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COMMUNITY LIVING
People With Developmental Disabilities Celebrate
Agreement With State Of Illinois
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS--A proposed agreement to settle a class-action
lawsuit between nine plaintiffs and the State of Illinois, would mean 6,600
people with developmental disabilities living in large institutions will be
given the opportunity to live in community-based settings. According to Equip
for Equality, the proposed Consent Decree also requires the state to provide
services to another 15,000 people on waiting lists who are at risk of
institutionalization and currently living with their families. The suit
alleged that the civil rights of many Illinoisans with developmental
disabilities were being violated because they were not being given the choice
to receive supports in the community.
Several States Cut Services For Seniors And People
With Disabilities
WASHINGTON, DC--Faced with budget shortfalls, at least 15 states are
cutting back support services for seniors and people with disabilities. The
Wall Street Journal reported that advocates say this is making it more
difficult for them to continue living independently. The cutbacks are
exacerbating the already long waiting lists for home-care support services in
many states. Declining revenues and tax receipts have led state agencies to
cut spending, with 41 states facing current or looming deficits, according to
the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Economy Slows Progress For Coloradoans With
Developmental Disabilities
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO--Seven months after Governor Bill Ritter
signed into law ten bills -- which were meant to provide jobs for Coloradoans
with developmental disabilities, increase oversight of their care and reduce
by up to 700 the number on a waiting list for community-based services --
those measures have been stalled because of lagging tax revenues. The Rocky
Mountain News reported in late December that advocates say they are worried
that some of the next steps in the legislation have not been introduced as
promised.
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CRIMES AND ABUSE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
County Investigates State-Licensed Care Provider Over
Woman's Death
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY--The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office has
launched an investigation into the November 10 death of Tara O'Leary. The
28-year-old woman weighed just 48 pounds when the New Jersey Division of
Developmental Disabilities removed her and two housemates from a
state-licensed home in September. The state Department of Human Services has
also started its own internal investigation into the alleged mistreatment.
Watchdog: State Failed Girl That Died From Restraint,
And May Still Fail Others
RICE LAKE, WISCONSIN--Two and a half years after 7-year-old Angellika
"Angie" Arndt's prone restraint death, the state still has not done
enough to prevent similar tragedies, according to a report released by
Disability Rights Wisconsin. Angie died in May 2006 after being restrained
facedown for 30 minutes in a "control hold" at the Rice Lake Day
Treatment Center. In a 75-page report about the incident and the use of
restraints and seclusion, Disability Rights Wisconsin said the state not only
failed Angie, but that the response by the Wisconsin Department of Health
Services "has been neither sufficient nor timely, nor with enough sense
of urgency or importance to adequately safeguard against this type of death
happening again to another Wisconsin child."
County Decides To Settle Inmate's Civil Rights Lawsuit
MISSOULA, MONTANA--Missoula county officials have agreed to pay
$490,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by a jail inmate with
psychiatric and intellectual disabilities. The officials were sued for
allegedly violating the rights of the woman identified in legal papers only
as "Adele". In November, Disability Rights Montana released a
report, saying she was mistreated after she was arrested on July 1, 2006 for
misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The investigation found that when Adele was
brought to the jail, staff failed to screen her for mental illness, shot her
several times with a pepperball gun, and then strapped her to a restraint
chair for 44 minutes before decontaminating her.
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EDUCATION
Board Suspends Kindergarten Teacher That Held Class
Vote To Oust 5-Year-Old
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA-- The St. Lucie County School Board on
November 18 voted unanimously to suspend without pay Morningside Elementary
School kindergarten teacher Wendy Portillo one year after she had her
students vote on whether 5-year-old Alex Barton could remain in class.
Portillo reportedly brought Alex, who has been diagnosed with Asperger
syndrome, to the front of the class to hear from his classmates how his
behavior affected them. Then, the students voted 14 to 2 to have him leave
the class.
Ten-Year-Old Held Three Days In Juvenile Detention
After Acting Up In Class
DENVER, COLORADO-- On November 14, police took Vincent Barros to
juvenile detention, where he stayed for the next three days. Two police
officers and three campus security members came into the Centennial
Elementary classroom after receiving reports that the 10-year-old had begun
acting up. A teacher's aide, however, said Vincent, who had bipolar disorder,
had calmed down by the time the officers arrived. Vincent's mother said the
whole thing could have been avoided if school officials had given the boy his
medication.
Crowd Calls On University Board To Let Student Live In
Dorm
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN--On November 5, a crowd of about 120 people packed
a meeting of the Oakland University board of trustees, many of them taking
the podium to voice support for Micah Fialka-Feldman. The student, who has a
learning disability, has been attending classes through a specialized program
at the school. But university officials denied his request to live in a
campus dormitory, saying dorm rooms are reserved for students earning at
least eight credits in degree programs.
Disability Advocacy Group Sues Oakland University Over
Student Dorm Issue
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN--The Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service on
November 26 filed a lawsuit against Oakland University, claiming the school
violated federal fair housing and disability rights laws when it refused to
allow a student with a learning disability to live in a campus dormatory. The
suit was filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of 24-year-old Micah
Fialka-Feldman, who has been attending university courses, volunteering on
campus and participating in clubs through a special program. School officials
refused to allow him to live in the dorms, saying they are reserved for
degree-seeking students.
Former Teacher Sues School District Over Corporal
Punishment Refusal
BOONEVILLE, MISSISSIPPI--Former special education teacher Kathy
Anderson Lamb has filed a federal lawsuit against the Booneville School
District, claiming her former employer violated her First Amendment right of
free speech and also violated federal and state public policy. Lamb says her
contract was not renewed because she refused to administer corporal
punishment to a student with autism. Lamb reportedly said scientific research
showed that corporal punishment makes things worse for children that have
autism.
University, DOJ Agree On Plan To Improve Campus
Accessibility
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA--On December 9, the U.S. Department of
Justice announced an agreement with Chatham University to make its Shadyside
campus more accessible to people with disabilities. The Justice Department
had determined the school had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act
because of a lack of accessibility in both old and new buildings. Under the
agreement, Chatham promised to provide better access to buildings, including
its major academic complex; improved seating in the theater, lecture halls
and the chapel; more accessible parking; outdoor and indoor ramps; new
sidewalks; more accessible restrooms; and a van with wheelchair access.
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EMPLOYMENT
Recession Hits Americans With Disabilities Extra Hard
WASHINGTON, DC--The December 9 U.S. News and World Report wrote that
the recession's crunch on jobs, wallets, and egos is hitting Americans with
disabilities particularly hard. Advocates nationwide say they've seen a sharp
increase in the number of workers with disabilities that have been laid off.
And if data from 2007 -- as well as from previous recessions -- holds true
for this year, people with disabilities will be cut from their jobs at a rate
disproportionate to that of nondisabled workers. Nationwide belt-tightening
has other implications, too. Government funding cuts, decreased revenue in
the private sector, and smaller family budgets mean that programs and
projects that help people with disabilities are at risk.
State Training Facility Sits On Superfund Hazard Site
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA--South Carolina taxpayers paid more than
$200,000 to buy property, which included a Superfund hazardous cleanup site
-- where a center that trains about 200 adults with disabilities is located.
The Greenville News reported that the state Department of Health and
Environmental Control is continuing to investigate the extent of groundwater
contamination on the site of the state-funded WorkAbility program.
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INSTITUTIONS
Officials Defend Staffing Decisions At Glenwood
GLENWOOD, IOWA--The Iowa Department of Human Services is defending its
decision to hire a man to work at Glenwood Resource Center, despite
revelations that he lost his teaching license in Nebraska after having a
sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. Jace Smrcka, 33, was hired on
September 26 as the new director of program evaluation and risk management at
Glenwood, which houses 320 adults and children with developmental
disabilities. A DHS spokesman said the department did all of the usual
background checks, but did not find anything to suggest Smrcka was not
qualified for the job. Neither did any information about the fact that in
2002 Nebraska withdrew his teaching license for seven years over the
relationship with the female Bellevue East High School student.
Video Shows Patient's Death While Staff Played
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA--Security camera footage shows employees at
Cherry Hospital falsified records to cover up negligence in the April 29
death of a psychiatric patient who choked on his medication, hit his head,
and was left sitting in a chair for nearly a day without food or water. The
News & Observer reported that the recordings showed employees playing
cards, watching television and goofing off as Steven H. Sabock, 50, sat just
a few feet away, his clothes soaked with urine. At least 16 staff members
responsible for his care over four work shifts failed to recognize his
condition and take action.
Officials Contest Justice Department Allegations Over
Beatrice Center
OMAHA, NEBRASKA--At a November 19 hearing, Nebraska officials disputed
U.S. Department of Justice allegations of deficiencies at Beatrice State
Developmental Center. Justice Department investigators found about 200 cases
of alleged neglect and abuse at the institution from late 2006 to late 2007.
The allegations put in jeopardy about $29 million in federal Medicaid money
to operate the facility.
State Fires Three Workers, Disciplines Ten More, Over
Patient's Death
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA--The Department of Health and Human Services
has fired three Cherry Hospital employees and disciplined 10 others following
the April 29 death of a Steven H. Sabock, a psychiatric patient that went
without food or water for nearly 24 hours. Security camera footage showed
that Sabock, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, choked on his
medication, hit his head and was left in a chair, just a few feet from where
employees played cards and watched television.
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State Fines Woodward Resource Center $12,500 For
Latest Violations
WOODWARD, IOWA--Over a nine-week period, the state has fined Woodward
Resource Center $12,500 for serious health and safety violations, according
to the Des Moines Register. The facility houses 220 people with developmental
disabilities. It had received just $7,500 in fines during the previous eight
years.
Justice Department Blasts Texas Over Institution
Problems
AUSTIN, TEXAS--In a letter to Governor Rick Perry, the U.S. Department
of Justice wrote that the constitutional rights of people with developmental
disabilities housed in the state's institutions are being violated. The
60-page letter outlined how the state is failing to protect those residents
from harm, failing to provide adequate health care -- allowing some to die
from "preventable conditions".
Advocacy, Inc. Calls For Halting Texas State School
Admissions
AUSTIN, TEXAS--Immediately after the U.S. Department of Justice issued
a scathing report about the mistreatment of people with developmental
disabilities housed in 13 Texas institutions, the state's protection and
advocacy system called for stopping all new admissions to the facilities.
Advocacy, Inc., also called for the state to ban the use of straightjackets
and some other restraints, and to stop staff from dispensing medications to
residents without doctors' orders. Texas houses about 5,000 people in
state-operated institutions, here called "State Schools". That's
more than in any other state.
Alabama Advocacy Program Demands State Close Partlow
Center
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA--The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program has
demanded the state close the Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa next
year because it doesn't serve residents well. ADAP Executive Director Ellen
B. Gillespie said Partlow's 200 residents live in substandard, unclean and
dangerous conditions. Partlow also is too expensive to operate at about
$263,000 per resident annually, she said.
Despite Laws, Mental Patients Are Locked Up For Years
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA--According to the Associated Press, psychiatric
patients housed in America's mental hospitals are being locked up alone for
years despite laws aimed at preventing the practice, because medical workers
say they're too dangerous to handle any other way. Health officials say they
are unpredictably violent people who don't respond to medication or other
treatment. Advocates call them victims of a system that has lost patience and
creativity in caring for those who are most difficult to treat.
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IN OTHER NEWS
Washington Voters Pass Assisted Suicide Measure
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON--Voters in Washington voted on November 4 to make
theirs the second state after Oregon to legalize assisted suicide. Initiative
1000 will make it legal for doctors to prescribe lethal doses of a drug for
patients with terminal illnesses to kill themselves. Disability rights groups
opposed I-1000. Some told the Seattle Times that they would look at various
options to continue the fight against the measure.
Veteran Angered After VA Hospital Refused Service Dog
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA--A U.S. Air Force veteran claims that the
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in downtown Indianapolis told him he could not
bring his assistance dog inside. Service dogs are allowed in any public place
under Indiana law. But Robin Davis claims the VA hospital would not allow
"Doc", his 5-year-old Labrador Retriever, to accompany him when he
went to have his medications adjusted. Doc helps Davis when he experiences
seizures.
Most Kids Dropped Off At Nebraska Safe Havens Share
Mental Health Challenges
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA--Nearly all of the children dropped off under
Nebraska's safe haven law have had histories of mental health problems, the
Omaha World-Herald reported. An analysis of common threads among 30 safe
haven cases, done by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services,
found that many share similar struggles. All but three had received mental
health services. All but three were living with a single parent, while 22 had
a parent or guardian that had been jailed.
Dad Chains Self To Power Meter To Keep Power On For
Daughter's Medical Equipment
HILAND PARK, FLORIDA --Tony Duncan chained himself to the power meter outside
his family's home, in an effort to prevent Gulf Power from disconnecting the
electricity. Duncan and his wife, Kathy, were pleading with the power
company, saying power was needed to keep their 5-year-old daughter Makayla's
medical equipment operating. They said that if the electricity were turned
off, the girl would die.
Legislative Audit Finds Agency Fails People With
Mental Disabilities
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA--The state Legislative Audit Council says
the $170 million state agency that serves people with brain damage and
intellectual disabilities may not have fired some staff members involved in
abuse and neglect, and failed to follow up on several safety and health
violations. The council said the state Department of Disabilities and Special
Needs doesn't conduct nationwide criminal background checks on caregivers,
and has left unused millions of dollars in state and federal funding for new
beds and autism-related programs, or diverted the money elsewhere.
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Governors Push President-Elect For Help With Budget
Shortfalls
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA--The nation's governors met with
President-elect Barack Obama to push for at least $40 billion to help pay for
health care for people in poverty and with disabilities. Early drafts of an
economic stimulus bill include some funds for states that are dealing with
slumping tax revenues and budget cuts.
FDA Denies 'Medical Device' Status To Palm Pistol
WASHINGTON, DC--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ruled that
the Palm Pistol, a handgun designed for people with physical disabilities, is
not a medical device. Several technology news blogs had reported that the FDA
had approved the firearm. The New Jersey-based Constitution Arms had hoped
that Medicare would cover the cost of the handgun.
New World Wide Web Accessibility Standards Introduced
MADISON, WISCONSIN--The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has introduced
a new standard to help Web designers and developers create sites that better
meet the needs of older users and those with disabilities. The standard, WCAG
2.0 "addresses barriers to accessing the Web experienced by people with
visual, auditory, physical, cognitive and neurological disabilities, and by
older Web users with accessibility needs."
BYU Study: Physical Disabilities Bring Marital
Happiness
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH--A Brigham Young University study reveals that
the onset of physical disability boosts marital happiness more often than not
-- that couples tend to come together after one member acquires such a
disability. Exactly why physical disabilities increase marital happiness is
not fully understood by researchers, however, they hinted that in some cases
disability brings more couple interaction.
Census: Number Of Americans With Disabilities Reaches
54.4 Million
WASHINGTON, DC--About one in five U.S. residents -- 19 percent --
reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau
report released on December 22. Both the number and percentage of people with
disabilities were higher than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau
collected such information. At that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent,
reported a disability. Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64 with a
disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of people in this age
group without a disability.
States Slash Medicaid Coverage
WASHINGTON, DC--The economic downturn has forced several states to cut
Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people in poverty
and with disabilities. By the end of December, 19 states and the District of
Columbia had lowered payments to hospitals and nursing homes, eliminated
coverage for some treatments, and forced some recipients out of the insurance
program completely, the Washington Post reported. Many are halting payments
for health-care services not required by the federal government, such as
physical therapy, eyeglasses, hearing aids and hospice care. A few states are
requiring patients to chip in more toward their care.
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