Disney to change disability policy after abuses

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Disney theme parks are ending a policy that allowed the disabled to get “instant access” to rides, instead of waiting in line.

Under the current policy, visitors can get a guest assistance card that gives quicker access to them.

There were widespread reports that able-bodied people were reportedly abusing Disney’s disability policy.

Reports said some wealthy park visitors were even hiring disabled people to pretend to be family members, so they could skip lines.

Disney said the new policy won’t allow immediate access to rides.

via Disney to change disability policy after abuses – WFSB 3 Connecticut.

The New Haven Prescription Discount Card is available to all New Haven residents

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The New Haven Prescription Discount Card is available to all New Haven residents at no cost and without regard to age, income, health and health insurance status. The card provides an average of 45% savings on prescriptions as well as savings on vision and hearing care.

The City of New Haven was able to secure the Prescription Discount Card benefit for its residents as a result of its membership with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), which is a statewide association of towns and cities.
The City of New Haven Prescription Drug Discount Card will provide immediate financial relief at the pharmacy counter for uninsured and underinsured residents and offers the following features and benefits:

• Any New Haven resident can participate regardless of age, income, health or insurance status.

• There are no enrollment forms, membership fees, restrictions or limitations on use.

• All prescription medications are covered, including pet prescriptions that must be filled at a pharmacy.

• There is no cost to the municipality or to participating residents.

• Cost savings vary depending upon the medication being purchased, but average at 45%.

There are over 63,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Stop & Shop, Big Y and many independent pharmacies.

Discounts are also offered on other medical services including vision, hearing and Lasik procedures.

Each residence in New Haven will receive a City of New Haven Prescription Discount Card by direct mail, which they may use at any participating retail pharmacy.

Cards can also be printed out immediately by visiting www.CTRxDiscountCard.comand selecting New Haven from the drop-down menu. The New Haven Prescription Discount Card is currently accepted at 22 pharmacies in New Haven and 646 pharmacies statewide, with more pharmacies expected to sign on. A list of participating pharmacies can be found at www.CTRxDiscountCard.comand.

Reporter rappels building to benefit Special Olympics

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The event was hosted by “Over the Edge,” a Canada-based professional rappelling agency, and it was to raise money for Special Olympics Connecticut. This is the third year they’ve gone over the edge to build funds and awareness, and this is the second year in the City that Works.

via Reporter rappels building to benefit Special Olympics | New Haven Register.

The Distance Between Us: photographing my brother’s disability – in pictures | theguardian.com

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Christopher Capozziello has spent decades capturing the life of his twin brother, Nick, who has cerebral palsy, in striking monochrome photographs. ‘For years I archived the pictures without ever looking at many of them,’ Christopher says. ‘About 10 years after the first pictures were made, and with a growing pile of photographs, I started to question why I continued to make these pictures.’ Here’s a selection of the finest images – which have been collected in a stills film, The Distance Between Us

For more on this story, visit: The Distance Between Us: photographing my brother’s disability – in pictures | Art and design | theguardian.com.

Metro-North’s New West Haven Station Opens On New Haven Line Sunday

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The New Haven Line’s brand-new West Haven train station will be officially open for business on Sunday, Aug. 18, Metro-North Railroad has announced.

Located between the New Haven and Milford stations, West Haven was designed, constructed and funded by the State of Connecticut. Metro-North partnered with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to build a “first-class facility” that includes two 1,100-foot platforms, which fit 12 train cars in length, the railroad said on its website.

For more on this story, visit: Metro-North’s New West Haven Station Opens On New Haven Line Sunday | The Port Chester Daily Voice.

Happy International Youth Day Aug. 12, 2013

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This year’s observance of International Youth Day focuses on the issue of youth migration.  Of the annual total of some 214 million international migrants, young people constitute more than 10 per cent, yet too little is known about their struggles and experiences.

The reasons young people migrate are many.  Some are fleeing persecution, others are escaping economic hardship.  Some are alone, others part of a family – with parents, siblings and even children of their own.  Some have communities to go to, others must make new connections.  In transit and at their final destinations, many young migrants face equal or greater struggles, including racism, xenophobia, discrimination and human rights violations.  Young women, in particular, face the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Poverty, crowded and unsanitary living conditions and the challenges of finding decent employment are regular features of the migrant experience.  These challenges are exacerbated by the current global economic and financial crisis.  Migrants are also often accused by communities and politicians of taking jobs from local people, exposing them to further risk of discrimination.  In other cases, young people left behind by migrating parents face psychological and social challenges and greater vulnerability.

It is important to emphasize the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination – economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric.  Most work hard to earn a living and improve their circumstances.
The remittances they send to support families in their home countries are a major contributor to economies worldwide.  When they return home, young migrants often enhance development by applying skills and ideas acquired abroad.  And, in many cases, women are empowered through migration as they gain financial and social independence.

In October, the United Nations General Assembly will host the second High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.  I urge Member States to consider youth migration.  Working with and for young people is one of my top priorities.  On this International Youth Day, I encourage Member States, youth-led organizations and other stakeholders to act to promote the rights of all young migrants and maximize the development potential of youth migration.

Ban Ki-moon

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Connecticut veterans frustrated with disability claims process | The Middletown Press reports

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A group of Connecticut veterans Thursday spoke of how their lives were knocked off course while they waited for the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department to process their disability claims.

At a Hartford roundtable discussion organized by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., vets related experiences such as seeing their homes foreclosed upon while their cases languished in a disability claim backlog at the VA.

via Connecticut veterans frustrated with disability claims process – The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT.

NEON Is Accepting Energy Assistance Applications From New Canaan | The New Canaan Daily Voice

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As heating season approaches, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now Inc. is accepting applications for financial assistance on fuel and energy bills under the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

The program is available to income-eligible residents in Norwalk, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport, Weston, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich.

via NEON Is Accepting Energy Assistance Applications From New Canaan | The New Canaan Daily Voice.

Report: Strong children’s mental health services, but limited access | The CT Mirror

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When Jeffrey J. Vanderploeg goes to national conferences and talks about the mental health services available to children and adolescents in Connecticut, his counterparts from across the country let him know how the state compares.

“We’re sort of the envy of most other states because we have so many intensive, in-home, evidence-based practices,” said Vanderploeg, associate director of the Connecticut Center for Effective Practice at the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut.

Even so, the vast majority of Connecticut youth with mental health problems don’t get the help they need, according to Vanderploeg and his colleagues in a report released Monday by the Child Health and Development Institute.

via Report: Strong children’s mental health services, but limited access | The CT Mirror.

Can Dogs Help Some Patients More Than Docs? | Harshada Rajani

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Though I feel like my dog is the one saving my life, I know doctors are the real reason why I’m still here, why my heart continued beating, and my lungs continued breathing while my body was self-destructing. But doctors around the world are slowly realizing and respecting the incredible healing power of pets. Dr. Finkelstein agrees, stating, “Dogs can’t remove our appendix. But, their love, devotion, endless kindness can provide great relief when we need it.” I’ve come across doctors who regularly prescribe pet therapy to their patients, and doctors who bring their own dogs with them to patients’ appointments. I just spoke to another stroke survivor who attributes all of her strength to her beloved cats. There is definitely some truth to the magic of pets.

For more on this story, visit: Can Dogs Help Some Patients More Than Docs? | Harshada Rajani.