National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin for June, 2008

WASHINGTON, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is the
National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for June, 2008:

The Bulletin, which is free of charge and available at NCD's Web site
(http://www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with
disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to
http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on Online mailing list archives,
select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or leave the list, then complete the short
subscription form. Editorial comments can be sent to Bulletin editor Mark
S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

President Bush Announces NCD Nominees

On June 5, President George W. Bush announced his intention to
renominate two NCD members and nominate two new members. The renominees are
Marylyn Howe of Massachusetts and Lonnie Moore of California. The new
nominees are Heather McCallum of Georgia and Christina Shanahan of North
Carolina. Ms. McCallum would replace current board member Cynthia
Wainscott. Ms. Shanahan would replace current board member and Vice
Chairperson Pat Pound.

Quarterly Meetings

NCD will conduct its next quarterly meeting at the Renaissance Seattle
Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, Washington, beginning Monday, July 14
and ending Wednesday, July 16. The agenda is posted at
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/quarterly/2008/agenda_july14-16-08.htm.

NCD believes it is vital to hear from communities around the country on
what works and what does not for people with disabilities. The purpose of
this meeting is to have open discussions about issues such as emergency
preparedness, healthcare, employment, and several other subjects of
interest to the disability community. We are delighted to have the
opportunity to visit Seattle and learn firsthand about the experiences of
people with disabilities from the Pacific Northwest region. This is also an
opportunity to meet NCD members and staff and offer comments during the
public comment sessions.

This meeting is open to the public and free of charge. Times are
designated for public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and
public input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Written comments can
also be provided by e-mail (ncd@ncd.gov), fax (202-272-2022), or mail (NCD,
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004).

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, July 14 from 9:00 a.m.
until 9:30 a.m. PDT and on Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
PDT. The toll-free call-in number for Monday and Tuesday is 1-800-779-9513,
and the pass code is "NCD Meeting."

An additional public comment session for audience members will be held
Wednesday, July 16 from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. A reception will be held
at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders
from the disability community on Tuesday, July 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30
p.m., immediately following the days' session.

NCD's fall meeting will be held October 6-8, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency
Crown Center, 2345 McGee Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

NCD's winter meeting will be January 12-14, 2009, at the Chaparral
Suites Hotel, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Emerging Trends Public Consultation

NCD is soliciting public input for a study of emerging issues and
trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information
gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress
report, National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, which is required
annually by Section 401 (b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

The purpose of this public consultation is to gather input to inform
NCD's assessment of the status of the nation in achieving policies that
guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and that
empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency,
independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of
society.

The entire document and information on how to respond is available at
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/public_consultation.html

Your comments will help NCD provide a guide for America's programs and
services to be modernized to reflect the changed and changing needs of
people with disabilities in our communities.

Please send your information to NCD by July 22, 2008.

ADA Restoration Act Update

In February, NCD released a point-counterpoint document in response to
opponents of the ADA Restoration Act. NCD recommended, and remains in
strong support of, the restoration of the definition of disability in the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The congressional intent of this
landmark civil rights legislation was to prevent discrimination against
individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society, including
employment. Instead, because of a number of Supreme Court decisions, many
people with disabilities have experienced discrimination and have been
denied ADA protections. The ADA Restoration Act is urgently needed to
restore the civil rights of people with disabilities, and NCD will continue
to work for ADA restoration.

On June 26, the ADA Amendments Act (formerly, the ADA Restoration Act)
(H.R. 3195) passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of
Representatives by a vote of 402 to 17. It was then sent to the U.S. Senate
for action.

NCD's Righting the ADA report, which contains historical information
and a legislative blueprint for restoring the ADA, can be found at
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2004/righting_ada.htm.

DOJ Proposes New ADA Regulations

On June 17, the U.S. Department of Justice released a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking soliciting comment on proposed amendments to its
regulations implementing Titles II and III of ADA. The proposed regulations
will, for the first time, establish specific requirements for the design of
accessible public facilities such as courtrooms and an array of recreation
facilities including playgrounds, swimming pools, amusement parks, and golf
courses, making it easier for individuals with disabilities to travel,
enjoy sports and leisure activities, play, and otherwise participate in
society.

The proposed amendments are intended to implement revised guidelines
published by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board), and to adopt changes necessary to address issues that have
arisen since the publication of the original regulations in 1991.

According to DOJ, the new regulations are also intended to provide
greater consistency between the ADA Standards and other federal and state
accessibility requirements.

For more information, go to http://www.ada.gov/NPRM2008/ADAnprm08.htm.
Public comment will be accepted at http://www.regulations.gov. DOJ will hold a
public hearing on the proposed regulations on July 15 at the Marriott Hotel
at Metro Center, 775 12th Street, NW, in Washington, DC.

More information about the ADA, the proposed regulations, and a public
hearing can be obtained on the DOJ's ADA home page at http://www.ada.gov.
Information about the ADA is also available on DOJ's toll-free ADA
Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

Congressional Testimony

On June 4, NCD Vice Chairperson Pat Pound testified before the House
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Information
Policy, Census, and National Archives. Ms. Pound specifically addressed the
question of "Does Federal Statistical Data Adequately Serve People Living
with Disabilities?" A copy of her testimony can be found at
http://informationpolicy.oversight.house.gov/documents/20080604164238.pdf.

NCD's latest report on disability data, Keeping Track: National
Disability Status and Program Performance Indicators, can be found at
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/Indicators_Report.html.

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