WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 The Bulletin, which is free of charge and available at NCD's Web site (www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on Online mailing list archives, select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or leave the list, then complete the short subscription form. Editorial comments can be sent to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

NCD Conducts Quarterly Meeting

NCD conducted its summer quarterly meeting July 14-16 at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in Seattle, Washington.



Over 120 people attended the meeting, hearing presentations on emergency preparedness and other issues of interest to people with disabilities, and 55 of them attended the NCD-sponsored reception. NCD also received 50 public comments on a variety of issues affecting people with disabilities.



On July 14, Seattle Mayor Gregory Nickels presented welcoming remarks to NCD. Later, Toby Olson of the Washington State Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment commented on new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) proposed regulations from the U.S. Department of Justice affecting state and local governments and public accommodations. Jack Michaels, former national president of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, discussed the Air Carriers Access Act. Anthony Dennis, counsel, Aetna, Inc., made a presentation on health care financing and Sally York, RN, director, Northwest Orthopaedic Institute, presented on national, state, and local initiatives on preventing falls.



On July 15, Barbara Graff, director, Seattle Office of Emergency Management discussed the steps Seattle was taking to address emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and lessons learned to date. Other emergency preparedness presenters that day included Tracy Connelly, emergency preparedness training specialist, City of Seattle; Charlie Axton, division director for disaster assistance, Region X, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and Captain Dave Beste, Bellevue Fire Department.



Later that day, NCD heard presentations from Kelly Buckland, executive director of the Idaho State Independent Living Council and Megan Kirshbaum, executive director of Through the Looking Glass, discussing the rights of parents with disabilities. Marc Brenman, executive director, and Shawn Murinko, commissioner of the Washington State Human Rights Commission presented on current challenges to disability rights.



A regional issues panel included Kelly Buckland of the Idaho State Independent Living Council, Lynnae Ruttledge, director, of the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Bill Lynch, executive director, Oregon State Council on Development Disabilities. Michael Jacobs, attorney advisor to Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission, presented on the conversion from analog to digital television which will take place in February, 2009.



A different perspective on disability issues and health care was presented by Mayor Sam Sullivan, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, who discussed Canada's healthcare system and related disability services.



On July 16, Laura Ruby, senior strategist, Global Policy and Standards, Microsoft Accessible Technology Group, discussed technology, software and computers as they relate to employment. Katharine Hunter-Zaworski, Ph.D. P.E., director, National Center for Accessible Transportation, Oregon State University and Vicki Curtis, senior engineer, Concept Center, Boeing Aircraft Company presented information on recent advancements in transportation accessibility and technology.



During the business portions of the meeting, the NCD voted on several important action items. They include:
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