ECNV & LEND Celebrating the ADA’s 20th Anniversary with Activities and Gala
Loudoun ENDependence (LEND) is hard at work on a monumental celebration of one of the most important laws ever for people with disabilities. On July 26, 1990, twenty years ago, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which has impacted nearly every facet of life ensuring accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
We did not want to miss the opportunity to not only open dialogue, bring about education, and continue to promote the spirit of the ADA, but we wanted others in Loudoun and Northern Virginia to be assured that our goals are in line with what every human is striving for.
Here’s just a taste of the events:
July 17 – Disability Resource Fair – This event will host area agencies,
programs, and businesses that cater to people with disabilities and their families. Running from 10 am to 3 pm, we will have several breakout sessions on disability lifestyle and topics of interest especially to parents of children with disabilities. Please inquire about the vendor opportunities available.
In partnership with the Loudoun County Public Library System, we will host a “Disability Cinema” program on three consecutive Saturdays at the library. Each Saturday, beginning July 17th, at 3 pm a different film will be shown. Each film will be followed by a panel discussion on the themes and ideas presented in the film.
Please look for more information about the films in the official publication of the Loudoun County Library System, PAGES.
For youth, in partnership with the Loudoun DSB, there will be a Poster Contest depicting and embodying what the spirit of the ADA is and what it means for people with disabilities and their families.
Lastly, as one of the premiere events that will conclude the month, plans are underway for the ADA Anniversary Gala, Saturday, July 24th at the Dulles Washington Marriott. This will be the opportunity to recognize numerous leaders that have had a hand in ensuring the success of ECNV, LEND, and other agencies who are united with us in serving people with disabilities.
Most importantly, we want you to join us and become part of ECNV, LEND, or any organization that is doing important work to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities into everyday life.
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From the Editor
It was a rough winter. Spring and summer are coming though!
ECNV and the disability community lost a true friend and leader when Seville Allen died in February. She will be missed by many.
The ADA turns 20 this year and LEND (ECNV’s Loudoun satellite) will be taking the lead in scheduling celebrations and more!
See the lead article in this issue or visit our website in the coming months for details.
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A True Leader
The disability community lost a true leader when Seville Allen passed away on February 23rd after a battle with Peritoneal Cancer.
Seville was a retired federal civil servant and former Deputy Director of the Virginia Dep’t for the Blind and Vision Impaired and she was an invaluable leader of the Nat’l Federation of the Blind on the local, state, and national levels. She was also a member of the Board of Directors at ECNV and she worked as a part-time Peer Mentor here as well.
Seville worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for the blind and people with disabilities in general. We have lost a fine friend and leader, but her legacy will live on through her many achievements.
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You’ve Got To Be Kidding!
“Twenty years ago! You’ve got to be kidding!” This was the response I recently received from a friend when I had mentioned that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in 1990. Its long title is "An act to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability." It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by Pres. George H.W. Bush.
In 1990, I was employed in the private sector but was affiliated with the Spinal Cord Injury Network through which I was invited to attend the signing. The signing took place on the White House grounds and I was one of 2,000 attendees, at that time the largest number of attendees at the signing of a bill by a President of the U.S. (for more ADA information visit our website www.ecnv.org).
The United States has a long way to go to fully embrace the rights of people with disabilities, but having had many positive changes occur in society due to the ADA we have reason to celebrate the 20th Anniversary.
Being a major milestone, the ENDependence Center (ECNV) along with its satellite center Loudoun ENDependence (LEND), will be celebrating with various events and highlighted with an ADA Gala on July 24th at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott. We will keep you abreast on what is happening via our website along with the mailing of our Calendar of Events in June and July. Please mark your calendars for July 24th and stay tuned as plans are being finalized.
US Senator Tom Harkin, ADA Co-Sponsor, and ECNV Ex. Dir. David Burds, at the ADA Signing Ceremony at the White House (1990)
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Falling into the Doughnut Hole
As anyone who has Medicare Part D knows, the doughnut hole (the gap in drug coverage during which people with Medicare must pay the full cost of their prescriptions out of pocket) is a potential problem. The recently-passed healthcare overhaul has provisions in it to close the doughnut hole by 2020 in incremental steps.
Consumers who hit the doughnut hole (sometimes referred to as the donut hole or the coverage gap) in 2010, will receive a $250 rebate. Starting in 2011, the consumer will be responsible for a reduced percentage (less than 100%) of the medication’s cost and the amount the consumer is responsible for will be reduced incrementally until it reaches 25% in 2020, effectively closing the doughnut hole.
Please note however, that the phase-out works differently for brand-name and generic drugs.
The Medicare Rights Center (a national, non-profit organization) has developed a timeline about the closing of the doughnut hole for brand-name drugs and one for generic drugs; those timelines are available at www.medicarerights.org/pdf/Closing-the-Doughnut-Hole-Chart.pdf.
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The Healthcare Overhaul and You
Whether or not you agree with it, healthcare reform (officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA) in America is a reality. America's healthcare system will change in ways that will affect all Americans in the future.
There is tons of information about changes and potential changes available on the web. But ECNV reminds you that not everything you read on the web is true.
Here is a brief list of facts about the new law that was compiled from various reliable sources.
- If you get insurance through a job, you can keep it.
- All people will be able get health insurance. Insurers cannot deny coverage to children based on a pre-existing condition starting in September 2010. Beginning in 2014, insurers will not be able to deny anyone because of their health history or pre-existing conditions.
- You will be able to compare health plans side-by-side before you purchase them (starting in 2014).
- Health insurance will not be allowed to set a limit to your coverage.
- If you are on Medicare, benefits will improve through incentives offered for providing care. One of the big improvements will be the gradual closing of the doughnut hole (see the article elsewhere in this issue). Also beginning in 2011, proven preventive services will be free.
- Beginning in 2014, everybody will have to have insurance. You’ll have to obtain it either through your job, from Medicare or Medicaid, or purchase it yourself. If you don’t have insurance, you’ll pay a fine, but if you qualify for it, you can get help paying for insurance. If you truly can't afford it, you will be allowed to opt out of coverage (and avoid the penalty for non-insurance).
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ECNV’s New Website Launched!
www.ecnv.org
ECNV is excited about the release of our new website on our 28th Anniversary – April 1st!
Our new website has features that help us step into the future and be a little more cutting-edge. We are now utilizing Twitter, a blog, a vlog and YouTube! We hope that these new aspects of our website will increase our ability to communicate with you.
We have made every attempt to make all this new stuff accessible to all, but if you find anything that is not accessible, please let us know. We will do our best to address them. Thank you!
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Wheelchair
Exercise Class Forming Now
Where:
ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV)
When:
4 Wednesdays in May (5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26) from 5-6 pm
Contact ECNV if you’re interested!
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