March 2012
Posted on October 07, 2011 by Megan Burke
There has been a lot of inaccurate information distributed when it comes to Missouri deciding whether or not to develop a health insurance exchange. It is almost reminiscent of inaccurate messaging that circulated during the passage of the Affordable Care Act (there never were death panels).
Read MorePosted on October 03, 2011 by guest blogger Jacqueline Lukitsch, Director of Advocacy, Alliance on Mental Illness – NAMI St. Louis
On August 25, the Missouri Housing Development Commission approved a special needs set aside for low income housing tax credits (LIHTC), which could yield as many as 400 new housing units in Missouri. A few weeks later, the MO Senate voted to sunset these tax credits as part of a larger deal. House leadership disagrees with this sunset provision.
Read MorePosted on September 14, 2011 by Willie Kimbrough, Jr.
If you have ever stepped, or rolled, out your front door only to be confronted with physical barriers and community members who are not well-versed in the ADA accessibility requirements, our Community Advocates know exactly how you feel. We are a volunteer group that meets weekly to train in self-advocacy and disability rights and promote enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We visit public places to survey their accessibility and assess their willingness to provide reasonable accommodation.
Read MorePosted on September 10, 2011 by Megan Burke
Posted on September 07, 2011 by Tom Green
On July 31rst, the New York Times published an article, “Do States Need Schools for the Deaf?” The article covers a long time debate about deaf schools (signing) vs. mainstream schools (spoken language approach).
I have been keeping track of this debate and it has been like this for years. The National Association of the Deaf has a position statement about residential schools for the deaf, the education of deaf children and American Sign Language.
Read MorePosted on September 02, 2011 by Megan Burke
In Missouri, an individual with a disability receiving SSI could pay on average 86% of their SSI benefit towards rent for a one bedroom unit, leaving little for other costs of living[1]. Affordable, accessible housing is in short supply, and with help from the Circuit Breaker tax credit individuals with disabilities can secure housing and maintain their independence. Sixteen of eighteen states with the circuit breaker property tax credit allow renters to claim the tax credit[2]as the Circuit Breaker can provide for stability.
Read MorePosted on August 26, 2011 by Thomas Green
On Wednesday August 17, 2011, the Missouri House of Representatives’ Interim Committee on 9-1-1 Accessibility had a public hearing. I was able to testify in favor of accessible 9-1-1 system for all people. The people before me testified mainly about the infrastructure of 911 system, comparing the difference between basic 911, enhanced 911, Phase 1 911, Phase 2 and IP-Compatible 911 PSAPs. They also talked about revenue: surcharge, sales taxes, tariff tax. They were recommending imposing tariff taxes on wireless plan.
Read MorePosted on August 24, 2011 by Thomas Green
Read MorePosted on August 18, 2011 by Megan Burke
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