News
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the following information about how the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) is proposing changes to expand the availability of video described programming for people who have visual impairments.
On April 1, 2016, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to expand the availability of video described programming. Video description makes video programming accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired by enabling audio-narration to describe key visual elements of a television program during pauses in the dialogue.
The FCC proposes the following key rule changes:
- Increase the amount of described programming on each included network carried by a covered broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor, from 50 hours per calendar quarter to 87.5 (a 75% increase);
- Increase the number of networks required to provide video description from four broadcast and five non-broadcast networks to five broadcast and ten non-broadcast networks;
- Create a “no-backsliding” rule, so a network would remain subject to the rules even if it is no longer one of the top five or top ten ranking networks; and
- Require video programming distributors to provide proper customer support contacts in order to improve consumer access to video description.
The NPRM also seeks comment on other matters, such as a potential requirement for described video-on-demand programming, a dedicated audio stream for video description, and a change of terminology from “video described” to “audio described.”
Comment and reply comment due dates will be announced once the Notice is published in the Federal Register.
Links to the News Release:
Web: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposed-expand-video-description-rules
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338677A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338677A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338677A1.txt
Links to the NPRM:
Web: https://www.fcc.gov/document/video-description-expansion-nprm
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-37A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-37A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-37A1.txt
For more information about the NPRM, contact Lyle Elder at lyle.elder@fcc.gov and 202-418-2365, or Maria Mullarkey at Maria.Mullarkey@fcc.gov and 202-418-1067.
Many times, family members take off work to care for loved ones with disabilities. Congress is proposing a bill that would ensure that they won't lose out on Social Security retirement benefits for doing so. Under the bill, family members who leave their jobs or limit their hours to care for a relative for at least 80 unpaid hours per month would continue to receive credits with Social Security for up to five years.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Social Security Urged To Revamp Representative Payee Approach
By SD Network, 2016-04-06
Due to a new report that shows that adults with disabilities who receive benefits often need help managing their money aren't receiving proper assistance, Social Security is being urged to redo the representative payee approach. The report found that too few people who need assistance managing their finances have a representative payee. It suggests that Social Security develop new policies to help solve this issue.
This is an anonymous survey. We cannot identify who you are from your survey answers. Your answers will be combined with those from other parents. This will give us a summary so we can all better understand what is helpful to families in general. We will use this information in our work to improve the healthcare system.
This survey contains 18 questions and should take about ten minutes to complete. Please complete this survey by April 15, 2016
Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey and sharing your ideas with us. If you have any questions or want more information about this survey, please contact Carolyn Allshouse at Carolyn@familyvoicesmn.org
Wallethub.com recently released a list of the best and worst cities for people with disabilities for last year. Multiple factors were considered for the rankings.
Find out which two Wisconsin cities made the list of the best cities!
A new bill is being proposed that would allow people who care for people with disabilities to receive a tax credit. The bill is aimed towards family members who care for loved ones. The credit would be meant to offset costs for caring for individuals with long-term care needs. Caregivers would have to meet certain qualifications to receive the credit.
Read full article here.
DISABLED WORLD: Toyota Working on Wearable Mobility Device for Blind & Visually Impaired
By SD Network, 2016-04-05
Toyota is working to develop a neat device for people who have visual impairments. This wearable device willl provide people with information about their surroundings that other devices are unable to. It will have cameras that detect surroundings and then communicate the user via speakers and vibration monitors. The user will also be able to interact with the device via voice recognition and buttons.
Click here to learn more and watch a video about the device.
Lawmakers continue to tweak ABLE Accounts (accounts that will allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without jepordizing their Social Security and other government benefits). The changes would allow more flexibility to those using the accounts. Some of the proposed changes include:
- Allowing people with disabilities who are employed to allocate extra money to their ABLE accounts
- Expanding eligibility to include people with disabilities that onset by the age of 46 (current requirement is that conditions must exist before the age of 26)
- Allowing families to rollover money they've saved for a person with a disability in a 529 college savings plan to an ABLE account
Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper Submitted to Joint Committee on Finance
By SD Network, 2016-04-04
The following information was released by the Wisconsin Dept. of Human Services (DHS) on March 31, 2016:
Click here to view the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper
As required by 2015 Act 55, earlier this afternoon the Department submitted the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper to the Joint Committee on Finance. Consistent with the current program, Family Care/IRIS 2.0 will continue to serve adults with physical disabilities, adults with developmental disabilities, and frail elders who meet financial and functional eligibility requirements.
To create this Concept Paper, the Department held 10 public hearing, met with councils, boards, and committees that advise DHS on its long-term care programs; and held additional meetings with a variety of stakeholders to collect input. We received testimony in person and in writing from more than 750 people.
Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback. We value your input and look forward to working with you as we work toward implementing Family Care/IRIS 2.0.
The Family Care/IRIS 2.0 plan outlined in the Concept Paper reflects the Department’s approach that remains centered on the fundamental principles of self-determination, empowerment, member-centeredness, quality, consumer choice, and fiscal stability.
Next Steps for Family Care/IRIS 2.0
Now that the Concept Paper has been submitted to Joint Committee on Finance, it will need to be reviewed and approved by the Legislature. After the Legislature approves the Concept Paper, the Department will begin developing the formal waiver and/or state plan authority documents to submit to federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). DHS will release these documents for public review and will conduct another formal public comment period prior to submission to CMS.
Do you have questions about the proposed long-term care program (Family Care/IRIS 2.0) being proposed by the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services (DHS)? Check out their Frequently Asked Questions page.