Topic: Disabilities

Judith Heumann: from 'fire hazard' to top advocate for disabled people

Judith Heumann learned early on that if she was going to be part of society she'd have to fight for the right.

Medicare could save $125 billion

Medicare and Medicaid could save the money through coordinating care, a study says. Some 9 million elderly are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

White Castle suit: Burger too small? No. Booth.

White Castle is sued by man who claims injury from trying to sit at a White Castle booth in New York.

One man's 9/11 idea to rescue people from high-rise buildings

Many of those who died on 9/11 jumped from the upper floors of the World Trade Center in New York. San Francisco doctor Kevin Stone has invented the "Rescue Reel" personal escape device that might have saved lives that day.

Social Security disability program running out of funds

Social Security disability program will be insolvent around 2017. The Social Security disability program aids Americans who have been injured even before they reach retirement age.

Debra Ruh makes high-tech available to the disabled

Her company, TechAccess, works with businesses large and small to ensure the disabled can use their products.

High schoolers use their tech skills to build a better world

Griffin Latulippe and friends have started a company that will build two devices to help the disabled.

Tax filing for the jobless: Five ways to trim your tax bill

Tax filing is never fun, especially for the unemployed, whose income plunged but who still owe taxes. The Internal Revenue Service tried to ease things a bit last year by not fully taxing the unemployment benefits. That offer has expired. Still, there are ways that the unemployed, and newly employed, can lower their taxes this tax-filing season. Here are five of them:

Take the CLASS Act off the chopping block

The CLASS Act, a program for disabled and elderly people included in the 2010 Affordable Care Act, is facing Republican scrutiny

Safe passage for the blind in Mexico City's chaotic streets

A group of volunteers has come together in Mexico City to provide bicycle transportation to the blind.

5 Asian authors you should know: the Man Asian Literary Prize shortlist

Five writers from China, Japan, and India made the cut this week when the Man Asian Literary Prize announced the shortlist for its 2010 award for the best novel by an Asian writer, either written in English or translated into English last year. The winner will be announced at a dinner in Hong Kong on March 17.

10 Asian authors you need to know: the Man Asian Literary Prize longlist

The best thing about annual literary prizes is the way they alert us to authors and books we otherwise might have missed. The Man Asian Literary Prize ($30,000 awarded to the author of the best novel by an Asian author written in or translated into English) is no exception. The 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize will be awarded in March. The longlist for the award – announced this week – features the writers below.

Top 10 mistakes of Election 2010

We all make mistakes. But in the world of politics, it’s an art form. Here’s our list of favorites from Election 2010, in no particular order, and focused on mistakes that could affect the outcome of a race.

A surprise at 'family camp'

When my husband and I attended family camp this summer, we had not expected the campers to include a group of special-needs adults. That was the first surprise. The second was how much this group enriched our camp experience.

ADA at 20: breakthroughs abound, but some attitudes unchanged

The Americans With Disabilities Act, signed 20 years ago, has changed the face of America. But some attitudes toward those with disabilities need to change, say advocates.

Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary has quadriplegic congressman presiding over US House

Americans with Disabilities Act celebrates its 20th anniversay on Monday. US Congressman Jim Langevin, Democrat from Rhode Island, who is a quadriplegic, is scheduled to preside over the US House of Representatives.

Mount Vernon to become more welcoming for the disabled

After a hearing-impaired visitor complained to the Justice Department about the lack of services for the disabled at Mount Vernon, the group that maintains George Washington's home agreed to make it more handicapped accessible.

A beauty school for the blind in Amman, Jordan

A beauty school is training blind women to work as beauticians in Amman, Jordan, where disabled people often have difficultly finding jobs.

Due to smelly employee, Detroit city workers can't wear perfume

Detroit city workers should no longer wear perfume, cologne or aftershave.

President Obama makes a Special Olympics joke - staffer apologizes

One man helps the disabled see the world

Craig Grimes broke his back 12 years ago. From Nicaragua, he launches the first online booking engine for disabled travelers.

New York Governor not laughing at Saturday Night Live skit

Paralympics bring forward plight of China's disabled

China's government only recently began addressing the needs of its 83 million disabled citizens.