Fall 2009
Welcome to Health and Disability News! This quarterly e-mail newsletter is published by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD). The mission of AAHD is to advance health and wellness initiatives for people with disabilities, as well as to identify effective intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions and health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population. AAHD accomplishes its mission through research, education and advocacy. Please send comments and suggestions to the editor, Nancy Campbell, at documentor@verizon.net.
News from AAHD
Please check the AAHD website at www.aahd.us for updates on disability in the news and the latest on H1N1.
If you are not on the AAHD listserve, please send an e-mail to contact@aahd.us so we can add you to our list.
Extended Application date for AAHD Scholarship Fund
We have extended the deadline for applications for the AAHD scholarship fund to Nov. 15, 2009. This is the scholarship program’s inaugural year, and AAHD is excited about its launch. We expect the scholarship fund to grow over the next few years.
AAHD Exploring Developing Chapters
AAHD’s board of directors is looking into establishing AAHD chapters to help us carry out our mission. As our organization has grown — with the 2008 launching of Disability and Health Journal and the 2009 scholarship program — the board believes next year might be an optimal time to create AAHD chapters around the country.
AAHD Susan Komen Grant
AAHD is mid way through a two year grant with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The name of the project is “Project Accessibility: Removing Barriers for Women with Disabilities”. The grant will implement a comprehensive education and empowerment intervention for women with disabilities who face environmental, cultural and linguistic barriers in receiving breast health care services at selected FDA approved mammogram facilities within DC and six surrounding counties.
Disability and Health Journal
October 2009 Disability and Health Journal Available
The October 2009 Disability and Health Journal is now available in both electronic and hard-copy versions to AAHD members.
Disability and Health Journal Exploring CEUs and CMEs
AAHD’s board of directors and Elsevier Publishing are exploring the possibility of offering both CEUs and CMEs to subscribers of the Disability and Health Journal. We are in the early stages of assessing the need, utility and desirability of this process.
Research Corner
Oregon’s RRTC Clearing a Path to Health
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center: Health and Wellness at Oregon Institute on Disability and Development (OIDD) is launching several projects, and Amy Cline, MPH, Dissemination Coordinator with RRTC, is charged with disseminating them. The center promotes the health and wellness of people with disabilities through research, training, technical assistance and dissemination focused on three important areas: health care access, health promotion and the measurement of health.
In the News
H1N1 Flu: Getting Ready
The 2009-10 influenza season officially began Oct. 4, 2009. Those who want broad protection will need to get two flu shots: the seasonal vaccine and a vaccine specifically for H1N1. On September 15, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, President Obama announced that the administration is taking several steps to ensure fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people living with disabilities.
Health Care Reform and Disability
Despite broad consensus that the United States needs health care reform, the devil is in the details. Lawmakers have been hard at it since returning from their August recess, but the political parties have yet to come to agreement and much of the public remain confused.
ADA at Work
California Supreme Court Rules Intent Not Necessary to Obtain Damages in ADA Lawsuits
In Munson v. Del Taco, Inc., the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that businesses that unintentionally violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be sued in state court for monetary damages.
ADA Amendments Act Broadens Definition of Disability for ADA Purposes
The ADA Amendments Act took effect on Jan. 1, 2009. The act makes important changes to the definition of “disability” by rejecting several Supreme Court decisions that narrowed the conditions under which people could qualify for ADA protection.
News of Note
Charles Drum Receives National Distinguished Disability Research Award
Each year, the Southwest Conference on Disability selects someone to receive the National Distinguished Disability Research Award. The award recipient must be someone from the United States who has compiled a distinguished record of disability-related research in the social or physical sciences that has contributed to and advanced our overall knowledge of disability
APHA Annual Meeting Nov. 7-11 in Philadelphia
The American Public Health Association’s annual meeting will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The meeting provides an opportunity for everyone involved in public health to learn what’s new in the field: research, best practices, health reform and more.
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