PLUK News feed

Montana People First Group Takes on SSI Marriage Penalty

Montana People First members hope that their efforts will inspire others around the country to join them in asking their Senators and Representatives to take legal action to remove the marriage penalty from the SSI program. More information is available below in the Media Advisory issued on Thursday by Disability Rights Montana, which is supporting the Montana People First Senate in the campaign to end the SSI marriage penalty.
Media Advisory Contact: Raylynn Lauderdale, Disability Rights Montana, (406) 449-2344
E-mail: raylynn@disabilityrightsmt.org

Opinion Article on Lack of Support for Disabled in Texas

Link: Serving Disabled Children
Many of America’s juvenile jails would be empty if the public schools obeyed federal law and provided disabled children with the special instruction that they need. Instead, these children are allowed to fall behind. When they act out, they are often suspended or expelled, which makes them more likely to commit crimes and land in jails where they can count on even less help.

Galludet Accreditation to be Reaffirmed

Link: Gallaudet

More than a year after Gallaudet University was rocked by student protesters and placed on probation by accreditors, the college for students with hearing impairments will get a second chance, officials said. Enrollment has dropped, but President Robert Davila said the university is better for the changes it has been forced to introduce.

NY Times: Veto Risk Seen in Compromise on Child Health

Link: Negotiations

Senate and House negotiators said Sunday that they had agreed on a framework for a compromise bill that would provide health insurance to four million uninsured children while relaxing some of the limits on eligibility imposed by the Bush administration.

NPR: Parents Fight for Autism Insurance Coverage

Link: Autism Coverage

Coverage for the therapies and treatment associated with autism is limited in most states. But a growing number of states are mandating more complete coverage for this condition. South Carolina just passed a law requiring greater coverage. Three mothers of autistic children joined together to write the bill and push it through the legislature, over the governor's veto.

School Shocks Children with Disabilities

Link: School of Shock

In 1999, when Rob was 13, his parents sent him to the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, located in Canton, Massachusetts, 20 miles outside Boston. The facility, which calls itself a "special needs school," takes in all kinds of troubled kids—severely autistic, mentally retarded, schizophrenic, bipolar, emotionally disturbed—and attempts to change their behavior with a complex system of rewards and punishments, including painful electric shocks to the torso and limbs.

Documentary: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

Link: TBI

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) provides education to: (1) improve care for TBI patients, (2) give support to families, and (3) increase public awareness of the effects of TBI. This 29-minute video, introduced by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), offers an introduction to TBI, a health issue affecting at least 1.4 million Americans each year. It features the recovery journeys of several service personnel and their families.

Homeless Resource Center

Link: Homelessness and Mental Illness

This is an outstanding resource to help those that are homeless. Special event web casts, Social Security and Medicaid 'helps' at your fingertips. Once you get to the website, http://homeless.samhsa.gov/ , click on knowledge base, events, or subscribe to the newsletter. Remember, "shelter alone will not end homelessness" but this website goes a long way to help.

Child’s dream to meet Mickey comes true

Link: When You Wish

Cheyannne Coxen smiles as she is touched on the face by Snow White during her Make-A-Wish Foundation-sponsored trip to Disneyland. Coxen, who has a rare disease and has been given six months to two years to live, says she enjoyed the four-day visit to California.

Check Out The Strength Coach Radio Show, from Syndicated Radio Host Greg Smith

http://www.thestrengthcoach.com/

Award winning radio host Greg Smith has created "The Strength Coach" radio show, website, and weblog to bring motivational support, news, views and personal insights to listeners. The show airs every Sunday night at 11pm ET on the Radio America Network. Hear Greg's post-Katrina show, listen to interviews with celebrities and coaches, and "roll the dice" to change your life with other listeners nationwide. Listen to "The Strength Coach" radio show online at http://www.thestrengthcoach.com/.