An estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population has a disability, making this the largest minority group in the nation. People with disabilities have the highest rate of unemployment, the highest rate of poverty and the lowest level of education of any minority group in the United States.People with disabilities constitute a group that crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Disability may be visible or not; it may be long-term or short-term; it may be present from birth or acquired. Most importantly, it encompasses more than the medical aspects of physical, sensory, mental and cognitive conditions.The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 alerted the nation to an entirely new way of perceiving disability: as an attribute, such as race or gender, that influences an individual's social acceptance and economic potential. Similar to the Civil Rights Act on which it is based, the ADA recognizes the rights and responsibilities of people who form a significant social minority group.

Notice

The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders: Obama Administration Issues Rules Requiring Parity in Treatment of Mental, Substance Use Disorders

NGO Conference Call Announcement

As you know, USAID is leading a whole-of-government response to assist the Government of Haiti in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake. The US Government is conducting operations in support of the Haitian Government, in coordination with and in support of the United Nations and the international community.  We are leading efforts to provide immediate, lifesaving and life sustaining relief and to build a foundation for a more stable, resilient and prosperous Haiti.

Upcoming Conference Call Schedule:

January 28:                 Web-based Situational Awareness Tools
January 29:                 InterAction Update:  Reporting from Haiti
February 1:                  Persons with Disabilities: Recovery and Response Efforts
February 3:                  NGO Perspective
February 5:                  24 Day Review

All calls will take place at 4 pm EST for 30 minutes.  The telephone numbers below will stay the same.  The conference call ID number will change.  We will send updated information each day.

January 28 Conference Call Details

The USAID team working to coordinate NGO activities in Haiti will be holding a 30-minute conference call tomorrow, Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 4 pm EST on Web-based Situational Awareness Tools.  During parts of this call, it would be helpful if you are at a computer with Internet access and can click to the following websites:

USAID:  http://www.usaid.gov/helphaiti/

OneResponse.Info:  http://www.oneresponse.info/Disasters/Haiti/Pages/default.aspx

Reliefweb: 

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc108?OpenForm&emid=EQ-2010-000009-...

Due to expected call volume, please call in early to allow time to be connected to the call.

International #: (816) 650-7866

Domestic #: (866) 306-0035

Conference ID: 53585763

This call will be captioned to provide access to all participants, including participants who are deaf or hard of hearing. At the start time of the event, please login to your event by clicking on the link below:

http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1491703&CustomerID=321  or go to: 

http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=XXX and enter the event confirmation number 1491703.

Information shared on this call will be summarized in an email sent out at a later point for those who were unable to join today’s call.  Please forward this email to others in your network and have them email RebuildHaiti@usaid.gov with Add Me in the subject line if they would like to receive the updates.  

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