A Descriptive List of Web Links Related to PAS

The American Association of Retired Persons is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. AARP's Research Center provides information on Independent Living topics such as housing, transportation, technology, and family relations..

This website offers solutions and ideas for people with many kinds of disabilities who find using a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This website will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for using computers.

ABLEDATA provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources. ABLEDATA does not sell any products, but can help you locate the companies that do.

Our mission is to promote full and unrestricted participation in business and society by persons with disabilities through the use of electronic information technology that is universally accessible.

This document focuses on the equal access requirements for people with disabilities that apply to the points-of-service that address human needs, specifically the functions and activities comprising Emergency Support Function 6 (Disaster Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services). It is intended to be used by disaster relief planners and service providers, including: Federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and non-governmental and private sector organizations. The document serves as a concise reference guide that describes existing legal requirements and standards relating to access for people with disabilities. This Guide does not create new standards and obligations, financially or otherwise, nor is it intended to modify any existing legal requirements and standards.

On January 1, 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 went into effect, making some major changes to the way the definition of disability has been interpreted in the past. The changes apply to both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. Very few people argue that these changes were not needed - the courts had interpreted the definition of disability so narrowly that hardly anyone could meet it - but the challenge now is understanding what the changes are and who is covered as of January 1st. We do not yet have any regulations nor do we have any court interpretation; all we currently have are the words of the Amendments Act and its legislative history. With that said, let's take a look at what we know so far.

Provides training, information, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessible information technology (IT) to businesses, consumers, schools, and government agencies within the Mid-Atlantic Region (PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, and DC).

TransCen, Inc.
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 607
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 217-0124 (V/TTY)
(301) 217-0754 (Fax)
adainfo@transcen.org

AgeSource Worldwide identifies several hundred information resources in some 25 countries which are significant either in size or in their unique coverage of particular aging related issues. The resources include among others clearinghouses libraries, databases, training materials, major reports and Web metasites.

AgeStats Worldwide provides access to statistical data that compare the situation of older adults across countries or regions around a variety of issues such as demography, pensions, health and long-term care. The most recent data and projections as far ahead as 2060 are provided, where available.

You may search either or both databases at one time. Access is free of charge.

AgeSource and AgeStats Worldwide have been created by AARP to facilitate the international exchange of policy and program, relevant information in aging.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) is a national non-profit organization established in 1999 by The American Geriatrics Society. The foundation aims to build a bridge between the research and practice of Geriatrics and the Public, and to advocate on behalf of older adults and their special health care needs. The website has information on common health problems such as diabetes, falls, etc. and educational materials on geriatrics.

This section helps consumers learn about the different types of living arrangements that are available, how to deal with the emotional stresses of caregiving, how to plan for long-term care costs, and how to get involved in aging services.

AAPD is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities.

One of the missions of the American Association on Health and Disability is to promote health and wellness of people with disabilities. The website has information, resources, and a newsletter for consumers on prevention and wellness.

ADAPT is an organization at the forefront of activism regarding issues facing people with disabilities such as consumer direction of Personal Assistance Services in the community.

The APHA website represents the association of public health professionals in the US and provides specific information of use to this community including latest health policy research as well as public health announcements. It also provides links to individual state public health websites as well as international websites that addresses the issue.

This website from the Red Cross gives suggestions on how to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters for people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities.

The Arc is a national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. This website has details of current Arc campaigns and publications on major policy initiatives for people with disabilities. The site includes an online report on the progress towards compliance with the ADA and the Olmstead ruling (2000) (http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2955).

The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) is a national network of rural independent living centers and individuals concerned with the unique aspects of rural independent living.

This website contains a lot of information for people with disabilities interested in going to school after high school. The web site offers many helpful links to different universities and programs, and to information on a range of specific disabilities.

This organization advocates for people with mental disabilities and provides legal analysis and explanation of key cases and current legal issues brought under disability-related and mental health law, including Olmstead. The site provides reports about the Olmstead case, including a background to the case, key legal concepts it interpreted and links to other websites.

This website helps older adults find out what programs are available to them.

Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals and their families.

This website provides the latest news, research and policy analysis on California's health care system and its delivery and financing. Of particular interest for research into home and community based services and long term care in California is the Medi-Cal page of the website, http://www.chcf.org/topics/medi-cal/index.cfm, which is a gateway to relevant information about the various Medi-Cal programs that are available in California.

The California HealthCare Foundation and the University of California San Francisco have a free website on long term care services in California that is designed for consumers, caregivers, providers, discharge planners, and advocates. This site provides comprehensive information about the quality of long term care in the state including

Find both unbiased and easy-to-use information about the quality of care they deliver. Sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation, this Web site is a free resource that provides ratings of long term care providers throughout the state, and helps you choose among options such as nursing homes, home health care agencies, and residential care facilities.

From the Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a collection of tools that can help you find a job, learn more about careers, and find employment services in your area.

The Carework Network is an international organization of researchers, policymakers, and advocates involved in various domains of care work. Carework research and policy focus on the caring work of individuals, families, communities, paid caregivers, social service agencies, and state bureaucracies, and ask important questions about such matters as:

• how women's labor force participation has affected the nature & scope of women's and men's caring work;
• how identities influence carework;
• how inequality based on gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other factors relates to caring;
• how caring work is recognized and compensated;
• how various state welfare policies the distribution of carework;
• and whether and to what extent citizens have a right to receive, and a duty to provide, care.

This guide is for people who care for family members or others with Alzheimer's disease (AD) at home. Includes information about how AD changes a person; coping with these changes; helping family and friends understand AD; making your home safe for the person with AD; and managing everyday activities like eating, bathing, dressing and grooming.

This is the website of the national Cash & Counseling program. The program sponsors are The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ASPE/DHHS), and the Administration on Aging (AoA). The website given describes the cash and counseling approach and details of how states can apply for grants to try out the cash and counseling model as well as transcripts of teleconferences with states who are involved.

The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is leading the charge to expedite the development, evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies that can improve the aging experience. CAST has become an international coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging services organizations, research universities, and government representatives.

CATEA supports individuals with disabilities of any age within the State of Georgia and beyond through: expert services, research, design and technological development, information dissemination, and educational programs. The application of these resources is intended to promote maximum access to opportunity and environments by enhancing individuals' capabilities through the appropriate use of technology.

The Center for Home Care Policy and Research has become recognized as the pre-eminent research center for home care and is the only of its kind in the nation.

To find US and state resources for employment of people with disabilities, the Center has a directory of government agencies you can locate by state.

This Center was established early in 2004 and is the national program office for the (expanded) cash and counseling program. The center will provide support for states involved in the program as well as providing comprehensive information and resources about consumer-directed care. The Home and Community-Based Services website is also included within the responsibilities of this Center.

The Center, an affiliate of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD), is a technical assistance center that is dedicated to helping states enhance employment support programs. One of the Center's six task forces addresses current rules and regulations for workplace PAS, factors in the work place, and related concerns. Minutes of task force meetings, beginning in January 2003, as well as a small list of publications on workplace PAS are available.

Several links within this site related to Home and Community-Based PAS:

This site links to: http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/Partnerships/downloads/NFIflyer.pdf/ Information on the federal New Freedom Initiative (NFI) which aims to develop community integration of people with disabilities. Includes reports on programs and grants to; develop state long-term care services, improve the direct service community workforce and promote the employment of people with disabilities.

http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Computer-Data-and-Systems/MedicaidDataSourcesGenInfo/MSIS-Mart-Home.html Website of CMS that has Medicaid Program Statistics (MSIS) data dating from 1990. Participant and Expenditure data on most Medicaid programs are retrievable by state and US.

http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/index.html?redirect=/manuals/45_smm/sm_02_2_2700.6_to_2700.6.asp This page of the CMS website deals specifically with the federal regulations for federal state Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers. It provides guidelines of why waivers must be administered in certain way and also sets the guidelines of how the expenditure amount and number of participants may be calculated.

The Community Living Exchange Collaborative Clearinghouse collects and shares information about home and community-based services (HCBS) for people with disabilities of all ages from different states.

The site may also be of use to individuals with disabilities, older adults and providers to educate themselves on how to be active participants in changing systems. Researchers, policy makers and other interested parties will also find a wealth of information on the site about home and community based services.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.

The Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual.

Vocational Rehabilitation is a program available in each state specifically to help people with disabilities work. The services can range from job training to counseling and transportation services. This website from the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation provides a contact list of each state's program.

Lists Olmstead Litigation in the 12 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Information about disaster sheltering for People With Access and Functional Needs (PAFN) and Functional Assessment Service Teams (FAST

The DCA is a unique coalition of consumers, workers, and concerned providers dedicated to ensuring a stable, valued and well-trained workforce in long-term care.

A guide to being a direct care worker, including what services they provide, what skills are required to become one and how to find a job being a direct care worker.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are advocacy organizations run by and for people with disabilities. This website from the MetroWest Center for Independent Living has a directory of all CILs by state.

Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) helps workers, job seekers, and service providers understand the connections between work and benefits. Although focused on California, it features a section on workplace PAS as well as practical information for employers or consumers, including frequently asked questions, policy updates publications list, and more.

DREDF is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.

The Disability Statistics Center produces and disseminates policy-relevant statistical information on the demographics and status of people with disabilities in American society. The Center's work focuses on how that status is changing over time with regard to employment, access to technology, health care, community-based services, and other aspects of independent living and participation in society.

Disability World is an online magazine dedicated to advancing an exchange of information and expertise about the international independent living movement of people with disabilities.

Disability.gov, is a redesigned federal Web site that connects more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. Formerly known as DisabilityInfo.gov, the site has been completely redesigned and updated with new social media tools, such as a blog and a Twitter feed, to encourage feedback and interaction among visitors. Disability.gov is not just for Americans with disabilities, but also for parents of children with disabilities, employers, workforce and human resource professionals, veterans, educators, caregivers and many others.

This website gives people with disabilities, shelter managers and rescue workers information about how to prepare for a disaster such as an earthquake (grade level 12).