Alzheimer’s risk is higher in African Americans, but many fear clinical studies

http://goo.gl/3S9Rk1

Studies show that older African Americans are almost twice as likely as whites to develop Alzheimer’s disease for genetic, biological and socioeconomic reasons. Diet and even the stress of experiencing racism can be factors.

Yet relatively few African Americans want to talk about Alzheimer’s, which is the leading cause of dementia. For historical reasons, even fewer want to participate in clinical research trials that could deliver benefits to themselves and future generations.


#YesAllWomen, but Not Really: How Feminism Leaves the Disabled Behind

http://goo.gl/Sx6uRP

When Stephanie Woodward blogged about #YesAllWomen, she was excited to join the movement and share her own life experiences as a woman with a disability. She never expected her post to spawn hostile messages from activists scolding Woodward for trying to “detract from the real issue” and instead make it about disability.

“Do women with disabilities not count as women? Are we not part of your population?” 

“I didn’t know that talking about the violence that women with disabilities experience detracted from whatever the ‘real issue’ is,” Woodward says. “Do women with disabilities not count as women? Are we not part of your population?”


Vote Planned On Tax-Free Disability Savings Accounts

http://goo.gl/GTMjQJ

With little time to spare, a vote will happen this year on a bill that would allow people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their benefits, a key member of Congress says.

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said Wednesday that the House of Representatives will hold a floor vote on the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act next month.

“As the mom of a son who was born with an extra 21st chromosome, I understand firsthand how federal policies can limit — not expand — opportunities for those with disabilities. The ABLE Act will change that and I am thrilled to announce we will get this critical, bipartisan legislation to the floor this December,” McMorris Rodgers told Disability Scoop.

Matt Sparks, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., confirmed that the vote will take place the first week of December.


#BADD2014: Academic Battles

An astounding chronicle of stigma and ableism......

http://goo.gl/7hDfjq

Yet for instance I was at various stages banned from my own building, banned from the library (I was a "fire hazard"), banned from my office a second time for a whole 3 months while health and safety argued over whether I could bring in my portable oxygen.

Even when I eventually won the right to enter my own office I was placed under strict time restrictions due to my personal evacuation plan which involved 2 members of staff getting me out via the fire-proof lift. I could only be in the building if both members of staff were present.
Ironically, this evacuation plan would not be used in the event of a real fire as it would be "too dangerous" for said members of staff. I would instead be left on my own in the presumably burning building until the fire crew arrived. Kafkaesque? Yes. But true.

This was not much appreciated and I, rather than the organiser, was blamed, as shown by emails sent to all staff saying
"Sorry for the inconvenience, we've had to change the room for the wheelchair user AGAIN!". 
Imagine how I then felt as we traipsed across to the other side of the campus in the pouring rain.

I was often the butt of annoyed "jokes" about this. The whole situation was unnecessary. I raised the issue of the emails, pointing out that information about the room change could be given without raising the question of wheelchair access, but was told that I was being "too sensitive".

Remembering Lucy Gwin

Great Website..........
http://goo.gl/YCWabz

What made Lucy so special? As Teresa Torres, commented, “She was the ultimate wordsmith and didn’t have an ounce of bull in her” (all quotes from Facebook unless stated otherwise*).

Lucy was the editor and force behind the Mouth until she became too ill to continue a few years ago. She struggled to find someone to mentor and succeed her, but no one appeared. Janine Bertram observed that Lucy was “the one person I believe is irreplaceable in the disability movement. Compromise was not in her repertoire.”

Mona Hughes wrote in the Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 22, 1998, after the Mouth had been around for eight years, “MOUTH won the Utne Reader alternative press award but turned it down because it was in the category of special interest. ‘Since when was anybody’s civil rights special?’ Gwin asked. I consider this publication a must-read when it arrives in my mail. I think it should be for every disabled person.”

Andre H. Arruda video sheds light on harassment against people with disabilities

http://goo.gl/LcgQCu

A Toronto comedian born with a genetic disorder that left him just over three feet tall has filmed a video showing the harassment he faces daily on city streets.

Andre H. Arruda, 31, has Morquio syndrome. He often uses a scooter to move around.

Arruda decided to enlist a friend to help him film a typical trip down Toronto's streets on his scooter, during which he endures dozens of comments, stares and insults from pedestrians.

"This one time at the supermarket, this parent just grabbed his kid and went, 'Look at this guy,' and just paraded me like I'm some kind of circus act," Arruda says.

During the three hours of filming, Arruda says he received more than 100 harassing comments and hundreds of stares.

In the video, a stranger calls him "leprechaun" and he's twice referred to as "Mini-Me," which is a reference to a short character from two of the Austin Powers movies.


Study: High Schoolers with ADHD Receiving Few Evidence-Based Supports

http://goo.gl/bXHTaL

ADHD is not specifically named in one of the disability categories covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; many students with the disorder were categorized as having a "specific learning disability" or "other health impairment," both categories of disability recognized by IDEA. Without any formal education plan, very few students received any accommodations, the study found. 

Of particular concern, the report authors said, is that only about a quarter of students reported receiving school services that have been shown to support students with the disorder. For example, helping students with learning strategies or study skills is evidence-based, but only about a third of the students who received supports got that type of help. Another evidence-based support—facilitating postsecondary transition and employment through teaching work-related, self-advocacy and self-management skills—was provided to only about a quarter of the students receiving ADHD-related supports.


Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

http://goo.gl/vZWL2e

Michigan residents who receive a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) saying they do not qualify for disaster assistance have the right to appeal.

An applicant has 60 days from the date of the determination letter to appeal the FEMA decision.

“Sometimes the letter only means that FEMA needs more information,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Applicants should read the entire letter for clarification.”

Common reasons why applicants may be told they are not eligible for assistance include:

  • Applicant has insurance to cover the loss;
  • Occupancy or ownership of the property is not verified;
  • Additional documentation requested by FEMA has not been provided; or
  • A duplicate filing was submitted for the household.


IBM’s Frances West Says Demand Is Rising for Easy-to-Use Technology

http://goo.gl/DWxiJW

WSJ: Why did IBM create this position?
MS. WEST: One reason is demographics. We see the emergence of the aging population on one end, and on the other end the millennials. They’re very socially conscious, so the topic of mainstreaming people with different abilities is very natural for them.
Second, the U.S. has new regulations for federal contractors [requiring them to aim for 7% of the workforce being people with disabilities]. And we see new legislation and policies globally—in Europe, Canada, Australia and China.
Last, we’re a technology company, and the proliferation of mobile is relevant to disability. It has [changed how we think about] ease of use and accessibility, and making sure that our technology is adaptive and available for anyone to use anytime, anyplace.