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YOUTH TRANSITIONING RELIEF
Education Department Will Erase $5.8 Billion In Loans For Borrowers With Disabilities
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FEATURE
EPA Bans All Food Uses For Pesticide Linked To Developmental Issues by David Jordan
Read David's article at: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2021/08/10/new-standards-finalized-for-postsecondary-programs/29436/
Tennessee Kindred Stories of Disability: Housing
This issue of Kindred Stories may be found at https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/resources/kindred/.
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center would like to share the latest edition of Tennessee Kindred Stories of Disability, which highlights the timely topic of affordable and inclusive community housing for adults with disabilities in Tennessee. The stories in this edition of Kindred Stories of Disability come from self-advocates, family members of individuals with disabilities, and housing facilitators. Even though individuals with disabilities strive for independent living, most often a variety of challenges prevents them from achieving this goal. Unfortunately, this pattern is replicated across the nation, and countless individuals with disabilities are impacted by limited access to community living. This issue was made possible by our storytellers who graciously gave their time to share their experiences, and the Vanderbilt University students who interviewed our subjects and put their words on the page. Images within the issue were created by Jen Vogus and students of AbleVoices, a program that teaches photography to individuals with disabilities as a means for self-expression, empowerment, and advocacy. Content herein courtesy of Elizabeth Turner from VKC
FEATURE
CREDIT REPORTING
Joint Measures from Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Remove Nearly 70% of Medical Collection Debt Tradelines from Consumer Credit Reports ATLANTA and COSTA MESA, Calif. and CHICAGO, March 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The three nationwide credit reporting agencies (NCRAs) – Equifax (NYSE: EFX), Experian (LON: EXPN), and TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) – today announced significant changes to medical collection debt reporting to support consumers faced with unexpected medical bills. These joint measures will remove nearly 70% of medical collection debt tradelines from consumer credit reports, a step taken after months of industry research. The rest at: https://investor.equifax.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1222/equifax-experian-and-transunion-support-u-s-consumers
FEATURE
DOL Announces an Alliance with AAAED
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Alliance with the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED)
DOL announced an alliance with AAAED to promote people with disabilities in the national organization's workplace equity efforts. Established by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the three-year alliance will include a range of collaborative activities and provide tools and information for AAAED's members to advance inclusion of people with disabilities in America's workforce. AAAED is the longest-standing national organization of Equal Opportunity Professionals engaged in leading, directing, and managing affirmative action, equal opportunity, diversity, and other human resource programs.
FEATURE
CODA announcement courtesy of Benjamin Mayo
Apple is believed to be making history with the theatrical release of its Apple TV+ original film CODA. In all UK and US cinemas, the movie will be shown with accessible-to-all ‘open’ subtitles — that is, burned into the video with no need for special equipment to see them.
Typically, members of the deaf community who want to watch movies at theaters must attend screenings that support wearing special glasses in order to see the subtitle tracks over the top of the video. Unfortunately, this equipment is often broken.
CODA will simply include the subtitles in the main film reel. As reported by Reuters, this is thought to be a first in movie history for a theatrical release. This will apply at least in UK and US markets; Apple does not necessarily control theatrical distribution for the film in other regions.
CODA is being heralded as an example of how to do equitable representation of minorities in Hollywood movies. CODA’s director Sian Heder — now under an exclusive production deal with Apple — ensured that deaf actors were cast in all of the deaf roles. About a third of the dialogue in the movie happens through actor’s speaking in American Sign Language.
More at: https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/09/apple-original-coda-subtitles/
FEATURE
Article courtesy of Donna DeStefano Tennessee Disability Coalition
A friend recently sent me the following link to wheelchair accessible fishing tours in a county in Ireland. The Lough Ree Access For All boat -- an adapted integrated water based experience for people with disabilities– allowing access for up to 8 wheelchair users at the same time. https://www.loughreeboattrips.com/
In Tennessee, sport fishing and hunting licenses can be issued with a one-time $10 fee to residents of Tennessee who are 100% permanent and totally disabled from service connected cause, or by reason of service in any war are 30% or more disabled. https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-benefits/tn-state-benefits/state-parks/hunting-and-fishing-licenses.html
Additionally, Tennessee’s Moment of Freedom Initiative is a cooperative effort by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Foundation, Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission and other partners. It is “aimed at increasing these outdoor opportunities. The primary goal of the Moment of Freedom is to create new wheelchair-accessible sites every year.” More information at: https://www.tn.gov/twra/stay-connected/moment-of-freedom-campaign.html
FEATURE
New Standards Finalized For Postsecondary Programs by Michelle Diament
For the first time, accreditation standards are in place that are intended to be used as a baseline to assess the hundreds of postsecondary programs across the nation serving students with intellectual disabilities.
The standards, which are years in the making, are outlined in a report sent to the U.S. Secretary of Education and Federal lawmakers in May and are designed to offer a way to judge the quality of the programs that have cropped up at colleges and universities across the country.
More at:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2021/08/10/new-standards-finalized-for-postsecondary-programs/29436/
Feature
Access to Restaurant Courtesy of Peneliope Richards
Restaurants have a storied history of neglecting ADA guidelines. As they reopen post-pandemic, there’s even less excuse for them to do so.
by Peneliope Richards Jun 22, 2021
Ever been to a restaurant that shares your name? No? Me either. I was pretty close, though. To celebrate my birthday one year, my mentor and I met up at Penelope, a cafe and wine bar in Manhattan. Despite a slight spelling difference, I was excited to eat there and update my mentor on life’s happenings. That excitement dissipated when I arrived to discover that my comfort food-centric namesake was not wheelchair accessible.
Fortunately, we were quick on our feet (well, she was) and ended up at another restaurant nearby, and a mystery person even paid for our meal. But happy ending aside, we were not able to eat where we originally planned.
The rest at:
CYBERCRIME UP MORE THAN 600% IN 2020 COMPARED TO 2019
Ransomware Becoming a Huge Problem
Ransomware has become such a huge industry ($4 billion a year according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation) that the people orchestrating these attacks literally have customer service departments where you can call a toll free number.
If you haven't been the victim of a ransomware attack, a phishing scam, or a malware attack that reeks havoc on your platform, you’re lucky.
According to Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report, 28% of the breaches in 2019 involved small businesses. And in another terrifying statistic provided by security firm Purplesec, the victims of cybercrime were up more than 600% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Data security was a huge issue before COVID19. And now it’s an even bigger problem.
Feature
Social Security Administration recently changed their rules
The Social Security Administration recently changed their rules about what financial assistance can affect your eligibility for SSI or your monthly SSI payment amount. Specifically, they no longer count the financial assistance listed below against your eligibility or payment amount. They are reviewing SSI claims and other SSI records going back to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to restore SSI payments for people whose SSI was affected by receiving any of the assistance listed below.
What COVID-19 financial assistance no longer counts against SSI eligibility or SSI payment amount?
- Economic Impact Payments (EIP)
- State Stimulus Payments (Some exclusions may apply.)
- Unemployment Assistance (also includes regular unemployment)
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Loan Forgiveness to Employers and Self-Employed Individuals
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program: Loans/Grants to Employers and Self-Employed Individuals /Grants
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – Direct Payments to Farmers and Ranchers
- COVID-19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program
- COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- Emergency Rental Assistance Fund
- Emergency Assistance for Rural Housing/Rural Rental Assistance
- Homeowner Assistance Fund
- Housing Assistance and Supportive Services Programs for Native Americans
- Tribal Payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
- Supporting Foster Youth and Families
- Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
- Emergency Assistance to Children and Families through the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund
- Farm Loan Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
- USDA Assistance and Support for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Ranchers, Forest Land Owners and Operators, and Groups
Bulletin
Rental Assistance Finder
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Launches Rental Assistance Finder to Help Renters and Landlords
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, billions of dollars in federal rental assistance are reaching renters who are behind on housing costs, as well as landlords who have struggled during the pandemic. Right now emergency rental assistance is available across the country through locally run programs.
Today, the CFPB debuted a new tool that helps renters and landlords look up rental assistance in their area and apply for assistance.
The Rental Assistance Finder is designed to help tenants and landlords take advantage of emergency rental assistance that can be used to cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs. Ultimately, the goal is keep people in their homes.
FUN FACTS TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
Did you know?
50 Fun Facts
1. Snakes can help predict earthquakes. They can sense a coming earthquake from 75 miles away, up to five days before it happens.
2. An animal’s yawn based on how large their brain is. The bigger the brain, the longer they will yawn.
3. Dinosaurs would swallow large rocks which stayed in their stomach to help churn and digest food.
4. Surgeons who play video games at least 3 hours a week perform 27% faster and make 37% fewer errors.
5. When cellophane was invented in 1908, it was originally intended to be used to protect tablecloths from wine spills.
6. In the 1980s, Fredric Baur, the founder of Pringles, requested to be buried in a Pringles can. His children honored the request.
7. A strawberry is not an actual berry, but a banana is.
8. Your tonsils can grow back if there was tissue left behind during the removal process.
9. Without saliva, humans are unable to taste food.
10. It snowed in the Sahara desert for 30 minutes on February 18, 1979.
11. In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush the toilet after 10pm.
12. Astronauts actually get taller when in space.
13. In California, you can get a ticket if you’re driving too slow.
14. Originally, the Eiffel Tower was going to be erected in Barcelona, but the project was rejected because citizens thought it was an eyesore.
15. Kangaroos keep growing until they die.
16. A snail can sleep for 3 years.
17.Using a hands-free device to talk on the phone while driving is shown to be equally or more dangerous than driving drunk.
18. A group of horses will not go to sleep at the same time – at least one of them will stay awake to look out for the others.
19. In Utah, birds have the right of way on a highway.
20. Jellyfish are considered biologically immortal. They don’t age and will never die unless they are killed.
21. Cucumber can actually cure bad breath.
22. Crows can remember the faces of individual humans. They can also hold a grudge.
23. In America, it is a federal crime to use your roommate or friend’s Netflix account.
24. A fungus is more closely related to animals on a genetic level than they are to plants.
25. The “butterflies” you get in your stomach when you see someone you like is actually a stress response called adrenaline.
26. Pure cocoa can help prevent tooth decay.
27. People in North Korea are legally only allowed to have one of 28 haircuts. Men and women can choose from 14 different styles.
28. There are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on every beach in the world.
29. Even though smoking has been banned on airplanes, ashtrays are mandatory on every plane. This is for safe disposal in case someone lights up.
30. Pope Francis used to be a nightclub bouncer.
31. Allodoxaphobia is the fear of opinions.
32. Dogs can be allergic to humans.
33. Camel’s milk doesn’t curdle.
34. The longest one-syllable word is “screeched.”
35. Seals sleep only one and a half minutes at a time.
36. In 1634, tulip bulbs were a form of currency in Holland.
37. Before mercury, brandy was used to fill thermometers.
38. The eye makes movements 50 times every second.
39. Hawaii is the only state with one school district.
40. You don’t have to be a lawyer to be a Supreme Court Justice.
41. Before 1687, clocks were made with only an hour hand.
42. Cows give more milk when they listen to music.
43. There are more French restaurants in New York City than in Paris.
44. The original recipe for chocolate contained chili powder instead of sugar.
45. Dim lights reduce your appetite.
46. China only has one time zone.
47. In ancient Rome, lemons were used as an antidote to all poisons.
48. No only child has been a U.S. President.
49. Ketchup was once sold as a medicine.
50. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
United Our Voice Echoes... Divided It Is Just A Whisper