AUCDigest
August 15, 2006 • Volume 6, Number 64
Forging New Partnerships for New Challenges Through Research, Education and Service
Current and past editions of AUCD Legislative News In Brief are posted through the AUCD Website. These weekly 1-2 page updates are intended to keep association members informed about federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting people with disabilities, their families and the network of AUCD programs and centers.
Recent Policy Issues and Events
Final Rules Covering the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS). Effective date: August 18, 2006. Authorized in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, the purpose of NIMAS is to increase the availability of timely and accessible print instructional materials for students who are blind or other students with print disabilities in elementary and secondary schools.
National Council on Disability Makes Recommendations to Improve Emergency Preparedness. August 3, NCD released "The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on People with Disabilities: A Look Back and Remaining Challenges" to serve as a guide for the President, Congress, and other emergency planners to develop inclusive emergency preparedness and response plans. For more information or to obtain a copy of the paper, please contact Mark S. Quigley at 202-272-2004.
OPM Regulations Ease Hiring of People with Select Disabilities. In final regulations published in July 26 edition of the Federal Register, OPM removed "barriers" and "increased employment opportunities" for persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities and psychiatric disabilities. The regulation expands agency acceptance of proof of disability and an applicant's job readiness certification to include broader types of certifying entities, including: licensed medical professionals; licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; and any federal agency, state agency or agency of Washington, DC, or a US territory.
Final IDEA Part B 2004 Regulations. The US Department of Education has announced the final Part B regulations to implement IDEA. An official copy of the final Part B regulations of the IDEA will be published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2006.
U.S. Government Exempts Medicaid Beneficiaries in Nursing Homes and Immediate Care Facilities from Proof-of-Citizenship Requirements (American Health Care Association Press Release). President Bush announced that the administration would exempt millions of the most vulnerable Medicaid recipients in the United States, including persons with mental retardation living in nursing homes, assisted living, and intermediate care facilities, from a new law requiring proof of citizenship by showing a birth certificate, passport, or other relevant documents.
< Previous | 8 of 10 | Next >
