Delaware Gov. Focuses on Lack of Jobs for People with Disabilities

DOVER, Del. — States should do more to hire people with disabilities, according to a new report from Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. The former chair of the National Governor's Association made the announcement at the association's meeting held Friday in Milwaukee.
The report states 54 million Americans are living with a disability, but only 20 percent are employed or are searching for work. 

Most Children Lack Early Intervention

Just a fraction of the nation’s children with disabilities and developmental delays may be accessing the early intervention services they need, a new advocacy group report suggests.
An analysis released Tuesday by Easter Seals indicates that fewer than 3 percent of kids are participating in the government-funded Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C program, which offers early intervention services to children up to age 3.
At the same time, estimates suggest that almost 13 percent of children across the country should qualify.

Health Care Debate and Its Impact on Children With Special Needs

WASHINGTON — A group of parents who oppose President Barack Obama's plan for revamping health care said Tuesday it would lead to rationing for children with life-threatening disabilities. National advocates for the disabled immediately rejected the claim that echoed this summer's dispute over "death panels."

"Living with Autism" Study Study Sheds New Light on Parents’ Life-Long Fears, Anxieties and Critical Supports Needed to Raise a Child with Autism

Easter Seals' "Living with Autism" study certainly reflects the concerns of many parents of children with autism. You have to wonder, however, why the media continues to focus its coverage on children when there are adults on the spectrum who are leading productive lives in the community. They are earning paychecks, living with supports in the group residences and apartments, and going to movies and restaurants, just like anyone else.

http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_pr_autism_study

Check out some interesting comments on the study:
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-parenting/2008/12/16/autism-strains-families-pocketbooks-emotions-3.html

http://www.autismvox.com/easter-seals-living-with-autism-study/

http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-easter-seals-study-shows-strain-of.html