May 2010, Vol.10, No.5

WORKSHOP ON THE NEW AAIDD SYSTEM OF DIAGNOSING AND DEFINING INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY TO BE HELD IN RHODE ISLAND IN JUNE
A workshop introducing the 11th Edition of the AAIDD Terminology and Classification manual, Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports will be held at the Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) in Rhode Island on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 9 am-4 pm. The workshop will provide an overview of the AAIDD definition system and key issues in diagnosing and classifying intellectual disability, and planning supports for people living with this condition. Past AAIDD presidents and co-authors of the manual, Robert L. Schalock and Ruth Luckasson will conduct the workshop. Learn more and register.

In other news related to the AAIDD definition system, Author Ruth Luckasson is appointed member of group working on the revision of the International Classification of Diseases(ICD-10) published by the World Health Organization. Read more. Also, the AAIDD Terminology and Classification Committee responds to the operational definition of intellectual disability in the DSM-V manual published by the American Psychological Association. Read more.

READ ANALYSES ON HOW THE NEW PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (HR-3590) AFFECTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Various developmental disability organizations are examining the issue of how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR-3590) recently signed into law by U.S. President Obama will affect people with disabilities. ANCOR, the group representing providers nationwide has issued a series of briefs on employer responsibilities, individual mandates, Medicaid changes and the impact of the law on long term care services. Read more. Download a document from the U.S. Senate on how this law will affect people with disabilities at www.ancor.org. Read a presentation on “Health Care Reform: What’s in the New Law” from the 2010 Disability Policy Seminar recently held in Washington, DC. Here is the response of the Association of University Centers of Excellence on Disabilities (AUCD) on the passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Also, The Kaiser Family Foundation has issued three “Explaining Health Reform” briefs that discuss three important elements of the law: the temporary high-risk pool, extension of dependent coverage, and Medicaid's role.

LANDMARK CHEMICAL LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF AMERICAN FAMILIES; IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED BEFORE ENACTMENT
The Environmental Health Initiative (EHI) of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) joined a broad coalition of more than 200 public health and environmental organizations, called Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, to announce its support for the newly introduced “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010”.  The Senate bill was introduced on April 15 by Senator Lautenberg, and Congressmen Waxman and Rush released a discussion draft of legislation. The long-awaited, landmark legislation would overhaul the way the federal government protects the public from toxic chemicals. Read news release.Contact Joyce Martin, Director of Health Policy, Environmental Health Initiative at AAIDD at JMartin@aaidd.org for questions.

In related environmental health news, On April 21, AAIDD launched the first teleconference in its new Environmental Policy Teleconference Series.  Charlotte Brody of the Bluegreen Alliance spoke about a recent health report, The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act.  View presentation slides.

NEW FEDERAL REPORT ON HOW TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, OLDER ADULTS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED INCOMES
A new report based on feedback from more than 3,500 stakeholders from the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia attempts to answer the question: What ideas can improve access to affordable and reliable transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes? Titled United We Ride National Dialogue, the report is issued by the National Academy of Public Administration. View report here.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Apply by July 16, 2010 to qualify for the Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund by the National Down Syndrome Society for young adults with Down syndrome who wish to enroll in postsecondary programs or take enrichment classes to develop essential life skills.  A maximum of five recipients receive a scholarship of $2000 each every year. Download the application.