ACL published its Public Access Plan in February 2016. The purpose is to make available to the public peer-reviewed publications and scientific data arising from research funded in whole or part by ACL through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), to the extent feasible and permitted by law and available resources. ACL has updated its Public Access Plan to include public access to scientific data component, and will begin implementing the new component October 1, 2017. The ACL Public Access Plan is intended to:

  Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Get Involved Summer is almost here. While we prepare to enjoy the warm weather, it’s important to take precautions in case extreme heat strikes. By evaluating your needs, you can plan for any heat related situation. The following steps will prepare you to handle periods of extreme heat and the associated risks:

Dear Colleagues, ACL is pleased to announce the release of Frequently Asked Questions on Independent Living Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities (Youth Services FAQ), which was developed in response to questions from grantees about the  provisions for transitions of youth  included in the  Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA).

  ACL has opened a new funding opportunity to establish Centers for Independent Living in Guam, American Samoa, and Pennsylvania. The goal of this opportunity is to expand and improve the provision of independent living services in the targeted areas and to support statewide networks of these centers. There are currently no Centers for Independent Living (CILs) funded in Guam, American Samoa, and the three county area (Allegheny, Armstrong, and Westmoreland) surrounding Pittsburgh, PA.

  The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SAR-TAC) is launching a new website at www.selfadvocacyinfo.org to help fulfill its mission to strengthen self-advocacy for people with disabilities by supporting self-advocacy organizations to grow in diversity and leadership.

  The Aging and Disability Business Institute is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award!

  ACL's Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), operated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is announcing a Nursing Home Transition grant program for Centers for Independent Living (CILs)* across the country. Four grants up to $40,000 each will be awarded to transition people living with paralysis in nursing homes back into their homes or a community-based setting of their choice.

Join the Paralysis Resource Center (operated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation) and the Center for Medicare Advocacy for a webinar on May 3 at 3 pm Eastern. The webinar, "Introduction to Medicare with a Special Emphasis on Coverage for Individuals Living with Paralysis," will include an overview of Medicare eligibility and enrollment, coverage facts and myths, home health benefits therapy caps, and appeals. Presenters:

Join the webinar on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.Presenters: Karen Stein, Ph.D. and Mary Twomey, MSW

The AARP Public Policy Institute released No Wrong Door: Person- and Family-Centered Practices in Long-Term Services and Supports and Checklist this week at the American Society on Aging conference.