- Home
- ACL Blog
September 6, 2017 | Originally published by ACL's National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC).
September is Pain Awareness Month, sponsored by the American Chronic Pain Association. Millions of Americans live with pain from injuries, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cancer, and other disabilities. Pain can be acute, with a beginning and end, or it can be chronic and may last through a…
September 1, 2017 | Bob Williams, Director – Independent Living Administration and Deputy Director – Administration on Disabilities|Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
At ACL we believe that every person has the right to make choices and to control their own decisions. This right is independent of age or disability or stage of illness. To help ensure that people who have serious illnesses are able to control their care and services, ACL, in consultation…
July 26, 2017 | Melissa Ortiz, Former Commissioner – Administration on Disabilities
Maria von Trapp writes in her book, The Story of the von Trapp Family Singers, about her youngest son's first communion. Johannes gleefully announced, “Now it’s MY turn; now I am coming for a change.” In other words, "I am going to participate. I won't be left behind."
Similar thoughts went…
June 22, 2017 | Melissa Ortiz, Former Commissioner – Administration on Disabilities
Eighteen years ago today, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the case Olmstead v. L.C. The court ruled that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated and must receive services in the most integrated setting possible.
In other…
June 15, 2017 | Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
Today, we join communities around the world coming together to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and shine a light on the need to combat elder abuse. As we think about how each of us can advance elder justice, I find it helpful to consider a three-pronged approach.
First, we must…
January 23, 2017 | Bob Williams, Director – Independent Living Administration and Deputy Director – Administration on Disabilities
Ed Roberts, through his words, actions, and life, continues to demonstrate that the independence, freedom and equality of people with disabilities of every age, race and circumstance—indeed of all people—is interdependent on our vigilance and resilience in working together to achieve these aims. I…
January 19, 2017 | John Tschida, NIDILRR Director until Jan. 19, 2017
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As my service as Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) comes to a close, I wanted to thank you for your support and engagement in our work. NIDILRR’s mission, to generate new knowledge and…
January 13, 2017 | Aaron Bishop, Former Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As you may know, with the upcoming transition my service as Commissioner of the Administration for Disabilities will soon be coming to an end. It has been a true honor to serve at the Administration for Community Living for nearly four years.
In recent days, I’ve been…
November 7, 2016 | Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
Family caregivers are the backbone of America’s long-term care system and are often referred to as selfless, tireless and courageous. Stepping in to provide care for a friend or loved one can be a rewarding and uplifting experience and reflects the very best in human nature. While family caregivers…
November 3, 2016 | Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
At ACL, we believe that every person has the right to make choices and to control their own decisions. This right is independent of age or disability.
This right also is not diminished by illness. People who have advanced illnesses should have control over their care and services.
For a person with…