Community News Linkage

Disabilityscoop
“Man With Cerebral Palsy Finalist In Oprah Network Contest” by Michelle Diament

Zach Anner, who has cerebral palsy, is a finalist in a contest to host his own show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He wants to create a travel show “for people who never thought they could travel.”

As a side note: Redditors, members of the massive internet forum Reddit, held a campaign last summer to support Zach.

Read more at www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/02/21/zach-anner-finalist/12367/

Disaboom Contest: Winner Announced!
The winning essay is by Jeff Charlebois, a “sit-down” comedian, blogger and quadriplegic. www.disaboom.com/contests/disaboom-contest-submit-article-andor-video-today-to-win

Time Online “Ecstasy as Therapy: Have Some of its Negative Effects Been Overblown?” by By Maia Szalavitz
“. . . short-term use for the treatment of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder is considered safe enough that the FDA has approved clinical trials and these are generating a great deal of excitement.”

Read more: /healthland.time.com/2011/02/18/ecstasy-as-therapy-have-some-of-its-negative-effects-been-overblown/#ixzz1EnnzXlXs

US Human Health Services Press Release
“Affordable Care Act Supports States in Strengthening Community Living
Nationally, $4.3 Billion in New Funds Announced to Help Establish and Expand Community-based Alternatives to Institutional Long Term Care”
Read the full report at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/02/20110222b.html

NCOA National Council On Aging
“NCOA Awards Grants to 10 Organizations to Help Seniors, People with Disabilities Access Benefits”

“Awarded through NCOA’s National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment (www.CenterforBenefits.org), the grants support the development of person-centered, community-based systems for more seamless and efficient outreach and enrollment of eligible seniors and younger adults living with disabilities into public benefits through the creation of Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs). The new BECs join the first 10 in assisting eligible seniors and younger adults with disabilities throughout the country to enroll in programs that help pay for prescription drugs, medical care, food, or utilities.”

Read the rest of the release at www.ncoa.org/press-room/press-release/ncoa-awards-grants-to-10.html

US Department of Transportation
“Delta Fined for Violating Rules Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities”

“The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty of $2 million against Delta Air Lines for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.

This civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related case.”

Read the full release at www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/dot2211.html