Touchscreen voting machines are also the easiest to tamper, e.g. Ohio and districts in about ten other states.
The political and economic consequences of another stolen election: the further undermining of civil liberties and the social contract would be catastrophic. War, death, destruction, widespread human suffering, a staggering national debt, tax cuts to corporations, deregulation, privatization of public land &services is the consequence of two stolen elections. We can assume the gang in the White House are plotting to steal the 2008 election. Our only hope is an alert public and a paper verifiable voting system.
Empowering More than 9,000 Students at CUNY!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards
The deadline for the National Disability Employment Awareness Month
nominations in June 9th and so far only FOUR nominations have been
received.
Please contact Jessica Blum, the Senior and Disability Liaison for
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (contact details below) to
receive the necessary the forms out and encourage people to fill them
out.
Contact info:
Jessica F. Blum
Senior and Disability Liaison
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-802-3794
fax: 718-802-3861
email: jblum@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Thanks!
nominations in June 9th and so far only FOUR nominations have been
received.
Please contact Jessica Blum, the Senior and Disability Liaison for
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (contact details below) to
receive the necessary the forms out and encourage people to fill them
out.
Contact info:
Jessica F. Blum
Senior and Disability Liaison
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-802-3794
fax: 718-802-3861
email: jblum@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Thanks!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce
"Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce" is 2006 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme
ODEP News Release May 4, 2006 - http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20060804.htm
[The following is excerpted from the News Release.]
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced that "Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce" will be the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is celebrated nationwide. "The 2006 theme…highlights the fact that workers with disabilities are an underutilized and ambitious group of Americans eager to pursue their career dreams," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
The private sector; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations can now use the theme to plan events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of employees and job candidates who have disabilities. "This year’s theme reflects the fact that increasing the opportunities for Americans with disabilities in the workforce can produce far-reaching, positive results for employers," said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
ODEP News Release May 4, 2006 - http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20060804.htm
[The following is excerpted from the News Release.]
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced that "Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce" will be the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is celebrated nationwide. "The 2006 theme…highlights the fact that workers with disabilities are an underutilized and ambitious group of Americans eager to pursue their career dreams," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
The private sector; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations can now use the theme to plan events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of employees and job candidates who have disabilities. "This year’s theme reflects the fact that increasing the opportunities for Americans with disabilities in the workforce can produce far-reaching, positive results for employers," said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Medicare Q&A
Medicare Q&A
Q: I applied for the Extra Help program because I cannot afford the costs of a private Medicare prescription drug plan. I haven’t heard back if I got it, but it’s almost May 15. Will I be able to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan after May 15 if I get Extra Help? Will I have to pay a penalty for waiting?
A: Yes, you will be able to enroll in a Medicare private drug plan after May 15 if you are found eligible for Extra Help, the federal assistance program that helps with the costs of Medicare drug coverage (Part D). But you may still have to pay a premium penalty.
If you currently have Medicare, you have just two more weeks during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to enroll in a Medicare private drug plan. If you do not enroll in the Medicare drug benefit by May 15 of this year and do not have drug coverage from another source that is at least as good as Medicare’s (creditable), you may have to pay a premium penalty if you decide to enroll at a later date.
Once your IEP ends, you may only be able to enroll in or change your Medicare drug plan during the Annual Coordinated Election Period (between November 15 and December 31 of every year).
Under certain circumstances, you may get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in or change drug plans. If you apply for and get Extra Help after your Initial Enrollment Period, you get a SEP that begins when
1. Social Security notifies you that you have qualified for Extra Help. Your SEP to enroll in a drug plan begins on the date on the letter from Social Security (not the day you receive it). If you do not choose a plan yourself, you will be automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan; or
2. Medicare automatically enrolls you in a drug plan. Your SEP to change plans begins the day your coverage starts—if you do not know when your coverage begins, call the plan. You have until November 14 of the same year to make your election.
Note: You can also qualify for this SEP if you qualify for Extra Help because you have Supplemental Security Income (SSI). People with Medicaid or in a Medicare Savings Program can change drug plans once a month.
If the plan you want to enroll in does not have your Extra Help eligibility on file, you will need to show the plan proof that you got Extra Help. You can use the award letter from Social Security or the letter from Medicare stating that you automatically qualified for Extra Help and were assigned to a drug plan. If you do not have either of these letters, you can ask the plan to call Medicare to confirm your eligibility or ask the plan to check the sheet that Medicare sends to plans twice a month that lists people newly qualified for Extra Help.
If you qualify for a SEP because you get Extra Help and you did not have creditable coverage, you will have a premium penalty if you enroll after June 30 (after that you will have been without drug coverage for more than 63 days before your new Medicare drug plan coverage begins). The premium penalty is 1 percent of the average national premium (which will likely go up every year) for every month you delayed enrollment.
However, if you have full Extra Help (depending on your income and assets, you may qualify for either “full” or “partial” Extra Help—see the chart in Resources below), your penalty will be 20 percent of the regular premium penalty and you will only have to pay it for five years. Others have to pay the penalty for as long as they are enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit.
You can find a list of other circumstances that make you eligible for a SEP in Spotlight on Resources below.
Enrollment Tips:
· If you want to switch from one plan to another, it is better to just enroll in your new plan. You will be automatically disenrolled from your previous plan.
· The rules are the same whether you are in a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare private health plan (HMO or PPO).
Q: I applied for the Extra Help program because I cannot afford the costs of a private Medicare prescription drug plan. I haven’t heard back if I got it, but it’s almost May 15. Will I be able to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan after May 15 if I get Extra Help? Will I have to pay a penalty for waiting?
A: Yes, you will be able to enroll in a Medicare private drug plan after May 15 if you are found eligible for Extra Help, the federal assistance program that helps with the costs of Medicare drug coverage (Part D). But you may still have to pay a premium penalty.
If you currently have Medicare, you have just two more weeks during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to enroll in a Medicare private drug plan. If you do not enroll in the Medicare drug benefit by May 15 of this year and do not have drug coverage from another source that is at least as good as Medicare’s (creditable), you may have to pay a premium penalty if you decide to enroll at a later date.
Once your IEP ends, you may only be able to enroll in or change your Medicare drug plan during the Annual Coordinated Election Period (between November 15 and December 31 of every year).
Under certain circumstances, you may get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in or change drug plans. If you apply for and get Extra Help after your Initial Enrollment Period, you get a SEP that begins when
1. Social Security notifies you that you have qualified for Extra Help. Your SEP to enroll in a drug plan begins on the date on the letter from Social Security (not the day you receive it). If you do not choose a plan yourself, you will be automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan; or
2. Medicare automatically enrolls you in a drug plan. Your SEP to change plans begins the day your coverage starts—if you do not know when your coverage begins, call the plan. You have until November 14 of the same year to make your election.
Note: You can also qualify for this SEP if you qualify for Extra Help because you have Supplemental Security Income (SSI). People with Medicaid or in a Medicare Savings Program can change drug plans once a month.
If the plan you want to enroll in does not have your Extra Help eligibility on file, you will need to show the plan proof that you got Extra Help. You can use the award letter from Social Security or the letter from Medicare stating that you automatically qualified for Extra Help and were assigned to a drug plan. If you do not have either of these letters, you can ask the plan to call Medicare to confirm your eligibility or ask the plan to check the sheet that Medicare sends to plans twice a month that lists people newly qualified for Extra Help.
If you qualify for a SEP because you get Extra Help and you did not have creditable coverage, you will have a premium penalty if you enroll after June 30 (after that you will have been without drug coverage for more than 63 days before your new Medicare drug plan coverage begins). The premium penalty is 1 percent of the average national premium (which will likely go up every year) for every month you delayed enrollment.
However, if you have full Extra Help (depending on your income and assets, you may qualify for either “full” or “partial” Extra Help—see the chart in Resources below), your penalty will be 20 percent of the regular premium penalty and you will only have to pay it for five years. Others have to pay the penalty for as long as they are enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit.
You can find a list of other circumstances that make you eligible for a SEP in Spotlight on Resources below.
Enrollment Tips:
· If you want to switch from one plan to another, it is better to just enroll in your new plan. You will be automatically disenrolled from your previous plan.
· The rules are the same whether you are in a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare private health plan (HMO or PPO).
Friday, May 12, 2006
THE WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
THE WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service. We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program. In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, hold United States citizenship, and be enrolled in a college or university.
We hope you will explore our White House Intern Website for additional information at:
http://www.whitchouse.gov/governmcnt/wh-intern.html
To apply read and complete the White House Intern Application. A strong application includes the following:
sound academic credentials
history of community involvement and leadership
solid verbal/written communication skills
demonstrated interest in public service
Completed application materials must be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator in the office of White House Personnel, at intern_application@whitehouse.gov prior to the following deadlines:
Applications due June 16, 2006 for FALL 2006 term - (September 5 to December 15, 2006)
Applications due October 13, 2006 for SPRING 2007 term - (January 9 to May 11, 2007)
If you have questions you may contact Karen Race by phone, (202) 456-5979 or by e-mail, intern__application@whitchousc.gov
We look forward to hearing from you.
Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq., Associate Director on Disabilities, Domestic Policy Council, The White House, Washington, DC 20502, Voice: (202) 456-5594, Fax: (202) 456-5557, Email: ocantos@who.eop.gov
The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service. We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program. In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, hold United States citizenship, and be enrolled in a college or university.
We hope you will explore our White House Intern Website for additional information at:
http://www.whitchouse.gov/governmcnt/wh-intern.html
To apply read and complete the White House Intern Application. A strong application includes the following:
sound academic credentials
history of community involvement and leadership
solid verbal/written communication skills
demonstrated interest in public service
Completed application materials must be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator in the office of White House Personnel, at intern_application@whitehouse.gov prior to the following deadlines:
Applications due June 16, 2006 for FALL 2006 term - (September 5 to December 15, 2006)
Applications due October 13, 2006 for SPRING 2007 term - (January 9 to May 11, 2007)
If you have questions you may contact Karen Race by phone, (202) 456-5979 or by e-mail, intern__application@whitchousc.gov
We look forward to hearing from you.
Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq., Associate Director on Disabilities, Domestic Policy Council, The White House, Washington, DC 20502, Voice: (202) 456-5594, Fax: (202) 456-5557, Email: ocantos@who.eop.gov
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Disabled Say Voting Plan Isn't Enough
Disabled Say Voting Plan Isn't Enough
By James T. Madore
Newsday Staff Writer
May 6, 2006
Some disabled voters are alarmed by a new state plan they say
calls for too few polling places where the disabled can vote
without having to ask for help in this year's elections.
The state wants to outfit only one balloting site in each of New
York City's five boroughs with handicapped-accessible voting
machines and have less than two dozen of them on Long Island.
So, people wanting to vote independently would have to travel
far from their homes, and in the city, government officials
don't intend to provide transportation.
A federal judge in Albany is expected Tuesday to consider the
plan as part of settling a lawsuit brought against New York
State for failure to comply with a 2002 federal election-reform
law. That statute required states to provide accessible voting
for the disabled at all polling places by last January.
Some levers on New York's old voting machines are beyond the
reach of people in wheelchairs and the blind cannot read the
ballot. They must rely on poll workers, but that means votes no
longer are secret.
While dissatisfied with the state's attempt to accommodate some
handicapped voters, Justice Department officials hope the judge
will ratify the plan, calling it "better than nothing."
Disabled voters are incensed.
"I'm absolutely disgusted," said Pratik Patel, a CUNY
administrator who is blind. "I almost feel [like] I am a second-
class citizen in this country."
Patel and others predicted the polling stations equipped with
handicapped-accessible voting machines would be overwhelmed, and
voters would be turned away. "This isn't going to be workable,"
said Patel, 28, of Fresh Meadows, Queens.
New York City plans to have 20 to 30 machines split between the
five special polling places - all located at Board of Elections
offices.
Roughly 494,000 city residents are disabled and eligible to
vote, according to Justice Department estimates. Voter turnout
among the disabled is likely not to be that high, said Lee
Daghlian of the state Board of Elections.
With just 18 weeks until the Sept. 12 primary, limiting the
handicapped-accessible sites ensures poll workers know how to
use the new voting machines and all ballots will be available,
said city elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez.
Nassau County will have 12 machines, one in each state Assembly
district and Long Beach. Suffolk will have 11, two in Brookhaven
and one each in the other towns. State records show both
counties will provide transportation to the polls.
However, Nassau Democratic elections commissioner William
Biamonte acknowledged the arrangement isn't satisfactory. He
blamed federal officials for forcing the stopgap measure. "We
should be working on 2007," he said, referring to the new
deadline for full compliance with election rules. "This isn't
helping the physically challenged community. We are
accomplishing very little."
Copyright (c) 2006, Newsday, Inc.
--------------------
This article originally posted at:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/
ny-livote0506,0,2758456.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines
By James T. Madore
Newsday Staff Writer
May 6, 2006
Some disabled voters are alarmed by a new state plan they say
calls for too few polling places where the disabled can vote
without having to ask for help in this year's elections.
The state wants to outfit only one balloting site in each of New
York City's five boroughs with handicapped-accessible voting
machines and have less than two dozen of them on Long Island.
So, people wanting to vote independently would have to travel
far from their homes, and in the city, government officials
don't intend to provide transportation.
A federal judge in Albany is expected Tuesday to consider the
plan as part of settling a lawsuit brought against New York
State for failure to comply with a 2002 federal election-reform
law. That statute required states to provide accessible voting
for the disabled at all polling places by last January.
Some levers on New York's old voting machines are beyond the
reach of people in wheelchairs and the blind cannot read the
ballot. They must rely on poll workers, but that means votes no
longer are secret.
While dissatisfied with the state's attempt to accommodate some
handicapped voters, Justice Department officials hope the judge
will ratify the plan, calling it "better than nothing."
Disabled voters are incensed.
"I'm absolutely disgusted," said Pratik Patel, a CUNY
administrator who is blind. "I almost feel [like] I am a second-
class citizen in this country."
Patel and others predicted the polling stations equipped with
handicapped-accessible voting machines would be overwhelmed, and
voters would be turned away. "This isn't going to be workable,"
said Patel, 28, of Fresh Meadows, Queens.
New York City plans to have 20 to 30 machines split between the
five special polling places - all located at Board of Elections
offices.
Roughly 494,000 city residents are disabled and eligible to
vote, according to Justice Department estimates. Voter turnout
among the disabled is likely not to be that high, said Lee
Daghlian of the state Board of Elections.
With just 18 weeks until the Sept. 12 primary, limiting the
handicapped-accessible sites ensures poll workers know how to
use the new voting machines and all ballots will be available,
said city elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez.
Nassau County will have 12 machines, one in each state Assembly
district and Long Beach. Suffolk will have 11, two in Brookhaven
and one each in the other towns. State records show both
counties will provide transportation to the polls.
However, Nassau Democratic elections commissioner William
Biamonte acknowledged the arrangement isn't satisfactory. He
blamed federal officials for forcing the stopgap measure. "We
should be working on 2007," he said, referring to the new
deadline for full compliance with election rules. "This isn't
helping the physically challenged community. We are
accomplishing very little."
Copyright (c) 2006, Newsday, Inc.
--------------------
This article originally posted at:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/
ny-livote0506,0,2758456.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines
Thursday, May 04, 2006
MBTA travel is about to get easier for disabled
Sue Reinert
April 6, 2006
The Patriot Ledger Joanne Daniels-Finegold often coped with broken MBTA elevators and bus lifts when she tried to travel by wheelchair from her Braintree home.
Now, thanks to a groundbreaking court settlement that she helped negotiate, she and other people with disabilities can look forward to easier mass-transit trips.
"When (the promises of the agreement) are accomplished, it will allow you to plan your life," Daniels-Finegold said yesterday.
The public transit authority agreed to spend more than $310 million to upgrade station elevators, platforms, buses and other facilities and equipment to improve accessibility for disabled riders.
Under the settlement of a class-action lawsuit announced Monday, the authority also will create the position of assistant general manager for accessibility, and train transit workers with the help of disabled riders.
Daniels-Finegold was the lead plaintiff in the 2002 suit filed against the MBTA by the Boston Center for Independent Living and 17 disabled riders. Another plaintiff was Andrew Forman of Plymouth, who is blind.
The federal suit described a litany of delays and other hardships caused by unreliable equipment and sometimes-callous MBTA employees.
For example, Daniels-Finegold got stuck at South Station when she tried to take a commuter train to a trade show in Providence on Sept. 29, 2002.
The MBTA's recorded telephone line said the South Station elevators were working, but when she arrived at the station, the elevator from the middle level to the commuter-rail level was out of service, the suit said.
Daniels-Finegold "was forced to return home," the suit said.
A longtime advocate for herself and others, Daniels-Finegold helped prepare the lawsuit and now sits on the board of directors of Greater Boston Legal Services, which represented the plaintiffs.
She said lawyers for the disabled started making progress after Daniel Grabauskas took over as general manager of the T in May.
Grabauskas soon began pressuring the T's elevator contractor, Kone Inc., to "do the maintenance they should have done," Daniels-Finegold said.
"It's been a long time since I encountered a broken elevator," she said. "People are cleaning them, and they're working."
Grabauskas praised the agreement in a statement on Monday.
"Certainly for 20 to 30 percent of our customers at the MBTA, we are an essential component in their ability to live their life, enjoy their lives, go to work, go to a movie and to get there in a reliable fashion," he said. "Therefore, it merits a substantial investment."
Grabauskas said the plan sets a precedent as the first court-enforceable accessibility overhaul agreement to be jointly and amicably negotiated by a transit authority and disability advocates.
"This is a real prescription with a mandate," said William Henning, director of the Boston Center for Independent Living.
Henning said he was elated about the agreement.
If the settlement is approved by U.S. District Judge Morris E. Lasker in June, progress will be assessed by undercover monitors and a court-appointed overseer, who will report to Lasker.
Daniels-Finegold hopes the changes will come quickly. Just Tuesday night, she said, "a bus that I was taking at Quincy Center had a broken lift." Material from the Associated Press is included in this story. Sue Reinert may be reached at sreinert@ledger.com.
April 6, 2006
The Patriot Ledger Joanne Daniels-Finegold often coped with broken MBTA elevators and bus lifts when she tried to travel by wheelchair from her Braintree home.
Now, thanks to a groundbreaking court settlement that she helped negotiate, she and other people with disabilities can look forward to easier mass-transit trips.
"When (the promises of the agreement) are accomplished, it will allow you to plan your life," Daniels-Finegold said yesterday.
The public transit authority agreed to spend more than $310 million to upgrade station elevators, platforms, buses and other facilities and equipment to improve accessibility for disabled riders.
Under the settlement of a class-action lawsuit announced Monday, the authority also will create the position of assistant general manager for accessibility, and train transit workers with the help of disabled riders.
Daniels-Finegold was the lead plaintiff in the 2002 suit filed against the MBTA by the Boston Center for Independent Living and 17 disabled riders. Another plaintiff was Andrew Forman of Plymouth, who is blind.
The federal suit described a litany of delays and other hardships caused by unreliable equipment and sometimes-callous MBTA employees.
For example, Daniels-Finegold got stuck at South Station when she tried to take a commuter train to a trade show in Providence on Sept. 29, 2002.
The MBTA's recorded telephone line said the South Station elevators were working, but when she arrived at the station, the elevator from the middle level to the commuter-rail level was out of service, the suit said.
Daniels-Finegold "was forced to return home," the suit said.
A longtime advocate for herself and others, Daniels-Finegold helped prepare the lawsuit and now sits on the board of directors of Greater Boston Legal Services, which represented the plaintiffs.
She said lawyers for the disabled started making progress after Daniel Grabauskas took over as general manager of the T in May.
Grabauskas soon began pressuring the T's elevator contractor, Kone Inc., to "do the maintenance they should have done," Daniels-Finegold said.
"It's been a long time since I encountered a broken elevator," she said. "People are cleaning them, and they're working."
Grabauskas praised the agreement in a statement on Monday.
"Certainly for 20 to 30 percent of our customers at the MBTA, we are an essential component in their ability to live their life, enjoy their lives, go to work, go to a movie and to get there in a reliable fashion," he said. "Therefore, it merits a substantial investment."
Grabauskas said the plan sets a precedent as the first court-enforceable accessibility overhaul agreement to be jointly and amicably negotiated by a transit authority and disability advocates.
"This is a real prescription with a mandate," said William Henning, director of the Boston Center for Independent Living.
Henning said he was elated about the agreement.
If the settlement is approved by U.S. District Judge Morris E. Lasker in June, progress will be assessed by undercover monitors and a court-appointed overseer, who will report to Lasker.
Daniels-Finegold hopes the changes will come quickly. Just Tuesday night, she said, "a bus that I was taking at Quincy Center had a broken lift." Material from the Associated Press is included in this story. Sue Reinert may be reached at sreinert@ledger.com.
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