Individualized Education Program (IEP) Checklist iPhone Application for Parents & Teachers

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) has announced the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Checklist iPhone application. The new IEP application helps parents of students with disabilities become better informed about by making IEP information easier to access. A captioned video about how this application works is also available. This tool is for parents and teachers to consider as they develop an IEP. Not every item on the checklist is required by special education regulations. For more information about the IDEA and IEPs visit the Department of Education's IDEA Web site.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/education/parent_resources/parent_involvement.

SSA Expands Compassionate Allowance Conditions

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it is adding 38 more conditions to its list of Compassionate Allowances. The new conditions range from adult brain disorders to rare diseases that primarily affect children. Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. It allows the agency to electronically target and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/news_%26_events.

United We Ride National Dialogue Final Report

Last year United We Ride received input from more than 3,500 stakeholders from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to answer this question:  What ideas can improve access to affordable and reliable transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes?  Check out the just released report that summarizes the suggestions from that input.  You can also download the report as a Word document.

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors

This booklet contains a summary of the benefits programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for which Veterans and their families may be eligible. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Some VA benefits require service during wartime. Applications for VA benefits can be submitted online. This document can also be downloaded in PDF format in Spanish.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Homeless Assistance Programs - Rural Continuums of Care

Guidebook designed for providers in rural communities who are interested in forming a new Continuum of Care or joining or improving an existing one. Strategies for addressing homelessness that work well in urban areas may not be effective in rural areas. Rural homeless populations often are "unseen," spread out in remote locations.  This guide contains tools, ideas and strategies used by continuums across the country to overcome barriers in rural areas and effectively deliver housing services.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/housing/homelessness.

A Picture of Subsidized Households - 2008

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research has updated its comprehensive profile of subsidized housing in the United States. The Picture of Subsidized Households 2008 data set describes the nearly 5 million households living in HUD-subsidized housing. Characteristics of these households are summarized at the national, state, core-based statistical area, city, county, program, public housing agency (PHA), and census tract levels. The programs covered - public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 project-based housing, New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation, and Section 202 and 811 Supportive Housing - provide subsidies that reduce rents for low-income tenants who meet eligibility requirements.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/housing/research_%26_statistics.

Some Myths & Truths About Down Syndrome

This fact sheet that responds to common misunderstandings about Down syndrome, including information about how often it occurs, average life span and interpersonal relationships among people living with Down syndrome.

For more information visit  http://www.disability.gov/health/disabilities_&_chronic_health_conditions/intellectual_&_developmental_disabilities.

Free Tax Return Preparation

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Through these programs trained community volunteers help with special credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most TCE locations also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/employment/work_incentives/tax_credits.

White House Middle Class Task Force Proposes Initiatives to Help Caregivers

The Middle Class Task Force, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, has unveiled a series of initiatives in the President's FY 11 budget to help families with soaring child care costs, balancing work with caring for elderly relatives or people with disabilities, paying for college, and saving for retirement. The nearly $103 million investment proposed by the Task Force will support more respite care, counseling, training, referrals and adult day care.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/health/caregiver_&_provider_resources/caregivers.

Obama Administration Issues Rules Requiring Parity in Treatment of Mental, Substance Use Disorders

The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans typically offered by employers from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/health/news_%26_events.