ILRU has learned that the NPR radio program "Talk of the Nation" will feature the ADA on Wednesday, July 28, at 2:00 P.M. eastern time. The program title is "20 years after the ADA." People with disabilities are encouraged to call in and describe the effect the ADA has had on their lives. The show will air on many local NPR radio stations at 2:00 P.M. eastern time tomorrow, July 28. To call in with your comments during the radio program, dial 800.989.8255.

The 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this
July is a milestone for disability rights and celebrations are planned
throughout the country.

VSA Ohio will mark the advancement of individuals with disabilities,
while recognizing the work still to do, at the intersection of art and
community with a mural.  Murals build community by bringing individuals
together to create art that reflects shared experiences.

The mural will be assembled in Columbus between July 21 and July 25.  It
will then be unveiled at the 20th Anniversary Celebration hosted by the
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission at the Ohio Statehouse on July
26, 2010. The mural will spend one year traveling to diverse sites
across Ohio to raise awareness for the arts and disability communities.
Video documentation will contribute to advocacy campaigns.
Artists selected will need to be available for a flexible period between
July 21-26 to assist in creating the mural in downtown Columbus.

NCOA Chronic Condition Survey: Putting Consumers Back in Control

June 19, 2009

NCOA survey of Americans with chronic conditions points to need for cost-effective self-management programs and support as part of comprehensive health reform

WASHINGTON, DC – Health leaders and policy experts joined the non-profit National Council on Aging (NCOA) on Capitol Hill today for a briefing on the state of chronic care in America and how health reform can improve a bleak and broken system for millions of Americans suffering from a variety of chronic conditions.

"Chronic disease accounts for more than 75 percent of the nation’s $2 trillion medical care costs. In order to truly help direct health reform efforts, NCOA listened to those most affected to get a better understanding of their challenges and what they need to better manage their health," said Nancy Whitelaw, Senior Vice President, Center for Healthy Aging with NCOA.

At the briefing, Whitelaw and others discussed the results of NCOA’s Re-Forming Health Care: Americans Speak Out about Chronic Conditions and the Pursuit of Healthier Lives survey. Conducted by Lake Research Partners, this study of 1,000 Americans 44 and older with conditions like heart disease, arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes paints a challenging picture of this vulnerable population and a health care system that is not meeting its needs.

The briefing participants identified community-based programs for people with chronic conditions as a practical solution for improving quality of life and reducing health care utilization. Kate Lorig, RN, DrPH, director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center at Stanford University, described aspects of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program or CDSMP, which has demonstrated impressive health benefits in states and communities around the country. Lisa Alecxih, vice president of The Lewin Group noted significant cost-savings derived from the CDSMP and other evidence-based health promotion programs that are delivered in non-clinical, community settings.

Key Findings

Much of the briefing centered on the Re-Forming Health Care survey, which found that:

• More than two-thirds (68 percent) of those surveyed have two or more chronic conditions – and 20 percent have four or more chronic conditions.
• Alarmingly, one in four (25 percent of) survey respondents have delayed health care or not filled much-needed prescriptions for financial reasons in the past year, despite the fact that 71 percent are frequently or sometimes living in pain, 65 percent are experiencing significant stress, and 50 percent report being depressed.

While most survey respondents say they rely on the health care system for ongoing help, many feel as if they are not getting the support they need:

• More than half (57 percent) of Americans surveyed say their health care providers have not asked whether they have help to manage their problems
• 45 percent say that they rarely or never receive referrals to resources such as classes, counselors, dieticians and health educators.
• Over one-third (38 percent) say they don’t have the money it takes to do things that will improve their health, and this percent is much higher among Latinos (63 percent), African Americans (58 percent), people with annual household incomes below $20,000 (65 percent), and people with four or more chronic conditions (59 percent).

Informing the Health Care Reform Discussion

With chronic conditions as the central challenge to American health care today, NCOA is seeking to identify gaps in appropriate chronic care, including self-care, to inform the national conversation about health care reform.

"Given what the survey participants told us," said NCOA’s Whitelaw, "we identified three areas of focus necessary for re-forming the health care system in order to support Americans with chronic conditions."

The NCOA characterizes the following three areas of focus as:

• Policy: The federal government needs to make investments in community-based programs, and in primary care and hospital settings to ensure team-based, coordinated care across all settings.
• Practice: Health care professionals have a responsibility to connect their patients to effective community self-care programs, as well as improve the quality and coordination of care to people with chronic conditions.
• Personal Skills: Americans with chronic conditions need to develop the skills and confidence to manage their health and to advocate for the help and support they need

Community Programs Are Critical

According to NCOA, a key element for health care reform around chronic care resides in community-based programs that focus on self care. This includes teaching problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills needed by people with chronic conditions to manage their own health outside of the clinical setting.

"It is important for Americans with chronic conditions, especially older adults, to seek support for programs to better manage their health," said Stanford’s Dr. Lorig. "Community-based self-care programs can be cost-effective and can help people build the confidence and skills they need to re-take control of their lives."

Evidence-based health programs can result in significant improvements in energy, health status, social activities, less fatigue and lower use of the hospital and/or emergency room. NCOA provides technical assistance for a variety of evidence-based programs throughout the United States including Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Diabetes Self-Management Training, Enhance Fitness, Matter of Balance, and Healthy IDEAS. For more information, please visit www.healthyagingprograms.org.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a non-profit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans - especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged - and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together non-profit organizations, businesses and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities. For more information, visit www.ncoa.org.

About the Survey
Lake Research Partners conducted the survey via telephone January 5 - 30, 2009, among 1,109 Americans age 44 and older nationwide, who have at least one chronic condition. The margin of sampling error for the total results is + 2.9 percentage points. For additional details about the national survey, please visit www.ncoa.org/healthierlives.

Upcoming presentation for those age 55 & over or anyone responsible for the legal affairs of someone age 55 & over. Click Here for the flyer.

ADA Survey Underway 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) was signed into law in 1990 – twenty years have passed for communities to remove physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from becoming active participating citizens. “The ADA in Your Community” Survey asks citizens to identify how they view their community’s current implementation. There is also opportunity for people to provide opinions and ideas about how accessibility can be improved.  People with disabilities, their family members, and their advocates are invited to complete the ADA Survey so that their voices are heard when accessibility issues are being addressed in their communities.  The Survey is available online at: HTTP://www.TheADASurvey.org.  ADA-OHIO, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), is conducting the survey.

Ohio Legal Rights Service is Seeking Your Opinion

The Ohio Legal Rights Service is currently seeking input from people with disabilities and their families as they work to review their priorities for the coming year. This is a good opportunity to let them know where you would like to see them focus their energy and efforts.  This will allow them to better prioritize key disability issues, such as housing, community integration, employment, and education. Further information about how to submit your opinion will be provided soon on their website: www.olrs.ohio.gov. If you or an organization you are involved with would like to participate in this process, contact Thomas Hemmert at LRS at themmert@olrs.state.oh.us or 800-282-9181 (voice) or 800-858-3542 (TTY).

Are You Eligible for a Health Reform Tax Credit?

Starting in 2010, up to 4 million small businesses that offer health care coverage to their employees may be eligible for a tax credit. Small Business Majority has created an online calculator you can use to see if your organization qualifies.

Computer classes are Fridays from 9-3, and Wednesdays 10:30 to 1. Call and sign up for the next session. Classes are in our computer lab upstairs.

Survey News:

 First Name : Charles
  Last Name : Elander
  Email : Charles_Elander@She

pherd.org
  Mobile Phone : 4043230729
  Comments : My name is Chuck Elander and I work for the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC), a federally funded program here at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta dedicated to promoting universal access to wireless technology by people with disabilities.

We are conducting research into the use and usability of wireless technology by people with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities through our Survey of User Needs (SUN).  The Survey of User Needs takes only about 10 minutes to complete. The information we collect helps us educate manufacturers of wireless devices and wireless service providers on ways to make their products and services more accessible and more useful. In this way we can fulfill our mission of advocacy for the development of new assistive technologies.

The survey can be found at:
http://www.wirelessrerc

.org/survey/

 We do have paper copies that I can mail to respondents if they prefer that method or require assistance completing the form. Also, respondents can call me and I will help them complete the survey over the phone.

Looking for Job Opportunities!

Check www.jobs.irs.gov for opportunities, or look on YouTube at www.youtube.com/IRSVideos#g/c/C229B