August NCD Bulletin

[F. Pennell]

Here is a copy of the National Council on Disability's August Bulletin.
	Francie Pennell



NCD BULLETIN
A Monthly Publication of the National Council on Disability
(NCD)
Marca Bristo, Chairperson  August 1996

The BULLETIN, which is free of charge, available in
alternative formats, and on the Internet (http://www.ncd.gov),
brings you the latest issues and news affecting people
with disabilities.  Please write, fax, or e-mail your
comments to the BULLETIN'S editor, Mark S. Quigley (mquigley at ncd.
gov).


ADA/CIVIL RIGHTS UPDATE
_H.R. 4017, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendment,
was introduced on August 2, 1996, by Representative
Bill Zeliff (R-NH).  The bill's official purpose is
as follows:  'A bill to amend ADA with respect to safety
sensitive employment functions and individuals who have
a record or history of the habitual or regular use of
illegal drugs or of the abuse of alcohol, or of clinical
alcoholism, and for other purposes."  The bill was referred
to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.


_The U.S. Bureau of the Census recently released encouraging
data on employment trends for people with disabilities.
According to the Survey of Income Program and Participation,
the employment population ratio for persons with disabilities
increased from 23.3 percent in 1991 to 26.1 percent
in 1994.  During that time, approximately 800,000 more
individuals with severe disabilies were working, which
represents a 27 percent increase.  For additional information,
contact Jack McNeil, Bureau of the Census, HHES Division,
Room 307-1 Iverson Mall, Washington, DC 20233-8500;
or call 301-763-8300.

_United Cerebral Palsy Associations' (UCPA) new survey,
'ADA Snapshot on America," indicates that 96 percent
of people polled agree that ADA has made a difference
in the lives of people with disabilities.  The survey
indicates that great improvements are occurring in America,
primarily in the areas of access to public accommodations
and public places.  According to 75 percent of the respondents,
attitudes toward people with disabilities are believed
to have changed because of ADA.  To obtain a copy of
the survey, write to UCPA, 1660 L Street, NW, Suite
700, Washington, DC 20036.

_Hundreds of people who spent millions of dollars buying
phony disability-access inspector licenses and useless
skid-resistant chemicals (which actually can make surfaces
more dangerous for wheelchair users) will be getting
their money back.  As part of the scam, investors were
told they could earn up to $15,000 per year inspecting
businesses


for ADA violations-even though ADA does not authorize
licenses.  The scam was investigated by a multi-agency
federal force including the Department of Justice (DOJ),
the Customs Service, the Internal Revenue Service, the
U.S. Secret Service, and the Postal Inspection Service.
Seven defendants have pleaded guilty and now face up
to a maximum of five to ten years in prison.  For more
information, contact DOJ at 202-616-2765 or 202-514
1888 (TT).

_The nation's largest corporate-owned child care chain
will establish a model policy to help ensure that children
with diabetes have equal access to daycare, under an
agreement reached on August 22 with DOJ.  KinderCare,
a child care chain with more than 1,100 facilities around
the country, will establish a new national policy to
comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Under
the agreement, staff will monitor the blood sugar levels
of children with diabetes, by administering simple 'finger
prick tests."  Attorney General Janet Reno praised the
agreement as an example of how corporations can comply
with ADA without litigation and major expenses.  To
obtain a copy of the agreement, please call DOJ at 1
800-514-0301 or 1-800-514-0383 (TT).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
_On August 21, President Clinton signed the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104
191), making it easier for workers who change or lose
their jobs to retain their health insurance.  Insurance
companies would no longer be able to deny coverage to
workers with preexisting health conditions.

_President Clinton signed the welfare bill (H.R. 3734)
on August 22, pledging to fix some of the non-welfare
provisions of the bill that he believes go too far .
According to a report by the Bazelon Center for Mental
Health Law, the bill may affect Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) benefits to 315,000 children with severe
disabilities who currently receive SSI or would qualify
for benefits over six years.

_P.L. 104-121 eliminates Social Security Disability
Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
and Medicare and Medicaid eligibility for individuals
whose drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing
factor material to their disability.  The Social Security
Administration's key message to affected beneficiaries
is 'that in order to request a review of his or her
disability determination, the beneficiary must respond
during the appeals period, especially for SSI beneficiaries
who may request benefit continuation."  For more information,
contact your local Social Security office.


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