Social Security / Employment – House Holds Hearing on Safety Net
Last week, the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human
Resources, held a hearing on “Protecting the Safety Net from Waste, Fraud, and Abuse”.
Witnesses testified in two panels, focusing on proposals related to Supplemental
Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Unemployment Insurance.
The first panel consisted of Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX), Representative Kevin
Brady (R-TX), Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA), Representative Xavier Becerra
(D-CA), Representative Tom Reed (R-NY), Representative Jim Renacci (R-OH), and
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). The second panel consisted of Patrick P.
O’Carroll, Jr., Inspector General, Social Security Administration; Dan Bertoni, Director,
Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Curt Eysink, Executive Director, Louisiana Workforce Commission; Debra Rohlman,
Vice President of Government Sales, Equifax Workforce Solutions; and Rebecca Vallas,
Director of Policy for Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress.
Visit the Committee website to review testimony and for more information.
Long Term Services and Supports – New Organizational Structure
Last week the Administration on Community Living (ACL) announced an updated organizational structure to reflect changes implemented as a result of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Some key changes are as follows:
Creation of the Administration on Disabilities (AOD), led by Commissioner Aaron
BishopWithin AOD, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities will be led by a Deputy Director for Developmental Disabilities but
remains otherwise unchanged.
Also within AOD, is the Independent Living Administration (ILA) created as part of
the Rehabilitation Act. ILA’s leader will serve as both the Deputy Commissioner of
AOD, and the Director of the ILA. In this dual role, this person serves as a
member of the Administrator’s senior leadership team and reports directly to the
Administrator for performing the functions of the Director of Independent Living.
ILA will manage the independent living programs that moved to ACL under WIOA,
as well as programs that serve people with non-developmental disabilities.
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation
Research is a new center on ACL’s organization chart, but NIDILRR itself is
unchanged. It will continue to be led by John Tschida as its director.
The Center for Consumer Access and Self-Determination has been renamed the
Center for Integrated Programs (CIP). CIP will continue to bridge the aging and
disability centers and manage the programs that address both populations.
Announcements
Census Bureau Releases “Facts for Features”
In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Census Bureau is releasing a “Facts for Features” providing a demographic snapshot
of the U.S. population with a disability and examining various services available to them.
The demographic snapshot includes information about institutionalization, transportation,
employment, accessibility, and other useful information.
Civil Rights – Department of Justice Releases New Primer on Americans with
Disabilities Act Title II
On Monday, the Department of Justice issued a new document to assist state and local
governments in implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The
document covers their obligations regarding service animals, communicating with
people with disabilities, power-driven mobility devices, and policies and procedures.
Additionally, it addresses the application of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible
Design to new and existing facilities.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org
