The Debate Behind Disability Hiring | Fast Company

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A proposed rule would force businesses to hire disabled workers. Why is that making companies with existing disability programs uneasy?

As companies such as AMC Theatres, Home Depot, and Microsoft can attest, disabled workers can be a great asset. But only about 20% of Americans with a physical or cognitive disability participate in the traditional workforce, and of that group 14% are unemployed–roughly twice the nondisabled rate. A regulation being pushed by the Department of Labor would try to improve those numbers by requiring any company with a federal contract worth $10,000 or more to give 7% of its jobs to people with disabilities. If passed, roughly 200,000 companies would be affected. For very different reasons, both companies with and without disability programs are worried about the proposal.

For more on this story, visit: The Debate Behind Disability Hiring | Fast Company.

Southeastern Connecticut receiving $72.4 million in low-income heating assistance

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The announcement Tuesday that the federal government is releasing $3.1 billion in low-income heating assistance, of which Connecticut’s take is $72.4 million, couldn’t come at a better time for local social service agencies that deal with the state’s neediest.

“Norwich is the largest city in southeastern Connecticut, and unfortunately we have a lot of people who are out of work,” said Norwich Human Services Director Beverly Goulet. “We don’t have the jobs that we once had. Sadly, I think we are going to see more first-time applicants.”

The LIHEAP funds for southeastern Connecticut are managed through Thames Valley Council for Community Action Inc.’s Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

For more on this story, visit: The Day – Connecticut receiving $72.4 million in low-income heating assistance | News from southeastern Connecticut.

2013 VSA International Young Soloists Competition Now Open for Entries

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VSA International Young Soloists Award Recipient Niv Ashkenazi. Photo by Scott Suchman.

VSA International Young Soloists Award Recipient Niv Ashkenazi. Photo by Scott Suchman.

Since 1984, the VSA International Young Soloists Program has identified talented musicians who have a disability. The VSA International Young Soloists Competition annually selects up to four outstanding musicians from the United States and the international arena, and supports and encourages them in their pursuit of a career. These emerging musicians receive $2,500, professional development opportunities, and a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

For more on this story, visit: VSA – Education – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

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CT Bar Association Insurance Hotline Is Open | New Haven BULLETIN

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The CT Bar Association and its Insurance Law Section provide storm victims with free insurance advice through a free public hotline.

Via a toll-free number (1-866-209-5099) and email address ( [email protected]), CBA members will provide free legal advice to individuals and businesses in need of guidance about insurance claims for property damage after a storm or other disaster. The initial contact will go to CBA staff in New Britain, who will fill out an intake form. Staff will then forward the intake form to the next lawyer on the list of participating volunteers.

Call during regular business hours, and emails should use the following subject line: CBA Disaster Insurance. The program has been developed cooperatively with representatives of FEMA, the CT Insurance Department, and the CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

For more on this story, visit: New Haven BULLETIN: CT Bar Association Insurance Hotline Is Open.

An Open Letter to Ann Coulter | The World of Special Olympics

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John Franklin Stephens

John Franklin Stephens

 

Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?

I have to wonder if you considered other hateful words but recoiled from the backlash.Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.

No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.

For more on this story, visit: An Open Letter to Ann Coulter | The World of Special Olympics.

DSS concedes eligible low-income residents may be losing health care | The Connecticut Mirror

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June 20, 2012

By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick Bremby said eligible low-income people may be losing their Medicaid health benefits every month.

The department is facing a huge backload of paperwork, the result in part of an antiquated computer system, fewer employees and an ever-higher caseload.

“We are concerned,” he said during an interview at the state Capitol complex.

Each month, DSS sends about 40,000 people a form to fill out and send back so the department can determine if they remain eligible for government-funded health care.

For more on this story, visit: DSS concedes eligible low-income residents may be losing health care | The Connecticut Mirror.

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