High Percentage of Gov't Websites Fail Security, and Accessibility Tests - 2017 Study Findings

Nov. 27, 2017- At least 91 percent of the most popular U.S. government websites are failing to perform in at least one key metric, including page load speed, user friendliness and security, according to a report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

article by By Ray Downs for United Press International (UPI)                                                        
The ITIF report analyzed 500 government websites for its latest report. Two of the metrics looked at were desktop page-load speed and mobile page-load speed. Of the 500 websites, 63 percent of websites passed the test in desktop page-load speed, while only 27 percent passed the test for mobile page-load speed.

With almost three-quarters of government websites having slow mobile page-load speeds, navigating those sites is also a problem with only 61 percent of websites are mobile friendly, according to the report. Security is still a concern for some government websites, with only 71 percent passing the Secure Sockets Layer certificates test. However, that was a 4 percent improvement from the previous test conducted by ITIF.

"As more people go online for public services and as security threats continue to evolve, it is important for federal websites to be more convenient, accessible, and secure," ITIF research fellow Galia Nurko told FCW Magazine. "This report shows a significant amount of work left to be done to modernize federal websites and ensure that, as technology advances, federal websites improve in turn."

The ITIF report also found that 40 percent of government websites weren't accessible to people with disabilities.

"Issues with accessibility range from poor contrast on websites to a lack of labels, which may prevent the website from being easily navigated by someone using a screen reader, assistive technology commonly used by individuals who are blind," the report said.

To improve website security and use, ITIF recommended the federal government launch a website modernization sprint to fix known problems; require federal websites to meet basic desktop and mobile page-load speeds; launch a website consolidation initiative; require all federal agencies to report website analytics; appoint a federal CIO to lead federal IT modernization efforts; and encourage nonexecutive agencies and branches of government to adopt federal website standards and practices.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/11/27/Study-finds-high-percentage-of-govt-websites-fail-security-accessibility-tests/2601511840535/

GAO Report Finds Improvements Needed for Expedited Processing of SSDI Disability Program Claims

Nov. 2017 - According to a recent GAO Report, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have a formal or systematic approach for designating certain medical conditions for the Compassionate Allowance initiative (CAL). CAL was established in 2008 to fast track claimants through the disability determination process who are likely to be approved because they have certain eligible medical conditions. In lieu of a formal process for identifying conditions for the list of CAL conditions, SSA has in recent years relied on advocates for individuals with certain diseases and disorders to bring conditions to its attention. However, by relying on advocates, SSA may overlook disabling conditions for individuals who have no advocates, potentially resulting in individuals with these conditions not receiving expedited processing. Further, SSA does not have clear, consistent criteria for designating conditions for potential CAL inclusion, which is inconsistent with federal internal control standards. As a result, external stakeholders lack key information about how to recommend conditions for inclusion on the CAL list.

To identify disability claims for expedited CAL processing, SSA primarily relies on software that searches for key words in claims. However, if claimants include incorrect or misspelled information in their claims the software is hindered in its ability to flag all claimants with CAL conditions or may flag claimants for CAL processing that should not be flagged. SSA has guidance for disability determination services (DDS) staff on how to manually correct errors made by the software, but the guidance does not address when such corrections should occur (see figure). Without clear guidance on when to make manual changes, DDS examiners may continue to take actions that are not timely and may hinder expedited processing for appropriate claims, and this can also impact the accurate tracking of CAL claims.

Social Security Administration Process to Identify Disability Claims for Compassionate Allowance Initiative (CAL) Processing

SSA has taken some steps to ensure the accuracy and consistency of decisions on CAL claims, including developing detailed descriptions of CAL conditions, known as impairment summaries. These summaries help examiners make decisions about whether to allow or deny a claim. However, nearly one-third of the summaries are 5 or more years old. Experts and advocates that GAO spoke to suggested that summaries should be updated every 1 to 3 years. This leaves SSA at risk of making disability determinations using medically outdated information. In addition, GAO found that SSA does not leverage data it collects to assess the accuracy and consistency of CAL adjudication decisions. Without regular analyses of available data SSA is missing an opportunity to ensure the accuracy and consistency of CAL decision-making.

Why GAO Did This Study

SSA in October 2008 implemented CAL to fast track individuals with certain conditions through the disability determination process by prioritizing their disability benefit claims. Since then, SSA has expanded its list of CAL conditions from 50 to 225. GAO was asked to review SSA's implementation of CAL.

This report examines the extent to which SSA has procedures for (1) designating CAL conditions, (2) identifying claims for CAL processing, and (3) ensuring the accuracy and consistency of CAL decisions. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance; analyzed SSA data on disability decisions for CAL claims from fiscal years 2009 through 2016 and on CAL claims with manual actions in fiscal year 2016; reviewed a nongeneralizable sample of 74 claim files with fiscal year 2016 initial determinations; and interviewed medical experts, patient advocates, and SSA officials in headquarters and six DDS offices selected for geographic dispersion and varied CAL caseloads.

What GAO Recommends

GAO is making eight recommendations including that SSA develop a process to systematically gather information on potential CAL conditions, communicate criteria for designating CAL conditions, clarify guidance for manual corrections on CAL claims, update CAL impairment summaries, and use available data to ensure accurate, consistent decision-making. SSA agreed with GAO's recommendations.

For more information and to view the Full Report https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-625

Disability / Poverty Connection, Congress Urged to Alter Federal Policies that Disadvantage People with Disabilities

Oct. 2017 - The National Council on Disability (NCD) – a nonpartisan, independent federal agency comprised of presidential and congressional appointees – today releases an advisory report to Congress and the President on poverty and disability during its business meeting in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

NCD's report addresses why people with disabilities are often destined to live in poverty and experience high unemployment despite existing federal regulations and public policies that were intended to improve their lives. The report asserts that the basic needs for people with disabilities go beyond what is covered in the official U.S. definition of poverty and that a new definition of poverty could help highlight the financial challenges facing people with disabilities and influence changes in policy.

"At a time when many respected scholars and policymakers are announcing plans to combat poverty, NCD wanted to shine a light on the unique ways in which existing policies hold back people with disabilities from economic self-sufficiency so those barriers can be addressed in any plans moving forward," said Clyde Terry, NCD Chairperson. "NCD focused on poverty in our report because it dramatically compounds the greatest areas of concern for people with disabilities."

The NCD report focuses on seven factors that are crucial for enhancing the economic independence of people with disabilities – education, employment, financial assistance and incentives, health care, long-term services and supports, transportation, and housing – and offers recommendations to policymakers in each area.

Report Recommendations:
A small sampling of the report's recommendations includes:
Congress should amend the Small Business Act to expand the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program to include people with disabilities as a presumed socially disadvantaged group.

Congress should decouple eligibility for health care benefits from eligibility for cash benefits like SSI and SSDI to prevent people with disabilities from being forced to choose between getting a job or having access to health care.

Medicaid reforms should safeguard access to home and community-based services waivers which are essential to promoting independent living, employment, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

Quick Report Takes:

• People with disabilities live in poverty at more than twice the rate of people without disabilities.
• People with disabilities make up approximately 12 percent of the U.S. working-age population; however, they account for more than half of those living in long-term poverty.
• More than 65 percent of the 17.9 million working-age adults with disabilities participate in at least one safety net or income support program.
• Only 32 percent of working-age people with disabilities are employed compared with 73 percent of those without disabilities.
• The median annual income for households receiving federal rental assistance from the three primary HUD programs is $13,500.
• Students with disabilities often graduate from high school at rates nearly 20 percentage points lower than students without disabilities.
• During the crucial time immediately after the onset of disability, when they may still have some attachment to the labor force, the current Social Security system encourages applicants not to work, which often leads to poverty.
• Only 6 percent of federal transit funds are allocated to serve rural communities.
• Currently, an estimated 228,600 people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and other significant disabilities work for subminimum wage.
• 45 states offer a Medicaid Buy-in program for people with disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid through SSI eligibility. From 2010 to 2011, the average earnings among Medicaid Buy-In enrollees were $9,135 per year.

Report: The NCD report on poverty and disability is available for download at: https://ncd.gov/progressreport/2017/progress-report-october-2017

About the National Council on Disability: First established as an advisory Council within the Department of Education in 1978, NCD became an independent federal agency in 1984. In 1986, NCD recommended enactment of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and drafted the first version of the bill which was introduced in the House and Senate in 1988. Since enactment of the ADA in 1990, NCD has continued to play a leading role in crafting disability policy, and advising the President, Congress and other federal agencies on disability policies, programs, and practices.

Source: National Council on Disability press release

Report: Many 2016 Voting Sites Lacked Full Disability Access

DES MOINES, Iowa — Fewer than one in five polling places were fully accessible to voters with disabilities during the 2016 general election, a government report shows — a finding that has prompted federal officials to recommend the Justice Department adopt stricter compliance rules.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | NOV. 2, 2017                                                                          

The report released Thursday by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office comes less than a week before mayoral elections in Atlanta and New York, elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia and a special U.S. House election in Utah, and gives a window of only a year to address problems before the 2018 congressional elections.

The bottom line in the report, provided to The Associated Press in advance of its publication, is that accessibility for voters with disabilities has not kept pace with the increase in early voting that has occurred in many states since the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and the 2002 Help America Vote Act. Both early voting and the disabilities access improvements are top goals in making it easier to vote.

Instead, Republican President Donald Trump has urged action on unfounded allegations of voter fraud. More than a dozen Republican-controlled state legislatures have enacted tighter restrictions on voting this decade.

"With the increase in early voting, this research is timely. Are our guidelines and regulations and practices keeping up with the changing patterns of voting in America?" asked Wendy Underhill, elections program director for the National Council of State Legislatures.

Just 17 percent of the 178 polling places officials examined nationwide in the days leading up to last year's election, and on Election Day, were without any impediments to voters with disabilities, despite the vast majority of states reporting they'd taken adequate care before voting started.

Most of the problems were found outside the buildings where the voting was taking place, such as steep ramps, poor parking accommodations or hazardous path surfaces. The report included a photograph of a collapsed folding table laid between a street and the curb as a makeshift wheelchair ramp.

Most polling places examined had at least one voting station that was usable by people with physical disabilities.

The 2002 voting law, enacted after problems revealed during the 2000 presidential vote notably in Florida, included money to replace voting equipment. However, it did not include money to retrofit polling places for disabled voters.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., among lawmakers who requested the study, criticized Republican officials around the country, arguing they'd pursued voter restrictions based on largely unfounded allegations of voter fraud, while needs of disabled voters were not being met.

"The debate we've had is almost totally contrary to the reality," said Casey, ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Aging. "The assertion by GOPs has been voter fraud, which they haven't proven, so we spend our time debating that which is fiction, instead of debating the impediments to voting."

Said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.: "We need to do more to restore Americans' confidence in our political system. Our first step should be making it easier for their voices to be heard on Election Day."

President Donald Trump commissioned a panel to investigate as yet unfounded claims that millions voted fraudulently last year, when Trump was elected by winning a solid majority of Electoral College votes but receiving roughly 2.9 million fewer overall votes than Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Before that, Republicans in statehouses across the country had been enacting voter identification requirements with similarly little evidence of fraud.

Since the elections of 2010, when Republicans made big gains in governorships and GOP legislatures, 15 states have enacted, or made stricter, voter identification requirements.

Opponents say the measures are aimed at giving Republicans an advantage, because those who do not have such identification are disproportionately racial and ethnic minorities, groups that are less likely to vote Republican.

In Iowa this year, the GOP-controlled Legislature passed such a measure, which was signed by Republican then-Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican. The law was signed despite the state's top elections official saying he'd been informed of only 10 improper votes out of roughly 1.6 million counted in the 2016 election.

Illinois Legislators Rated on Support for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services for Developmental Disabilities

   Springfield, Illinois - September, 2016 - Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (IPADD) has released its first scorecard for Illinois legislators, believing it to be the first disability-specific legislative report published in the state.

The scorecard, titled ICLR (Illinois Community Living Report), analyzed ten bills from the 2016 Spring Session of the Illinois 99th General Assembly. Bills were chosen for their potential to help or hinder Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities access more included lives in their homes and communities. Rep. Carol Ammons, Rep. Will Guzzardi, and Rep. Elaine Nekritz achieved a perfect score of 100% on the scorecard. All three representatives have received IPADD’s “Community Living Advocate Award.”

“We are grateful to Reps. Ammons, Guzzardi, and Nekritz for having the courage to support good policy which directly impacts the lives of Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities,” said Deb Hamilton, IPADD’s Legislative Affairs Director. Hamilton added: “The scorecard also reveals a disappointing level of engagement by many of the top leaders, including Governor Rauner and Speaker Madigan, who each scored only 50% on the report. This is nothing short of negligence and that type of policy neglect will no longer go unscrutinized by the public.”

IPADD believes "every person with a developmental disability, supported appropriately, can live a safe, meaningful, and connected life in their home community. The group outlines three key goals for Illinois government, which include:

1."Commit immediately to raising the state fiscal investment in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) from our current rank of 46th in the nation...

2.Shorten, and eventually eliminate, the PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services) waiting list...

3.Make equitable rate adjustments for community services across regions, settings, and HCBS waivers..."

Download Illinois Community Living Report (PDF)

Read article on NPR Illinois and listen to interview with Deb Hamilton.

IPADD was co-founded in 2006 by Laurie Jerue and Ellen Garber Bronfeld, both mothers of adults with a developmental disability. IPADD has since grown to more than 1,500 members. From the beginning, the organization has been grounded in the philosophy that every person with a developmental disability can lead safe, meaningful, and connected lives in their community.

source: IPADD press release

2017 Study Encourages Airline Industry To Make Accessible Travel A Reality For All

A new study outlines how greater personalisation, universal standards in the provision of services, more effective communication and increased collaboration between public and private sectors can drive a more accessible travel industry of the future.

Article from Amadeus News | Oct. 4, 2017                                                                         

Madrid, Spain October 4, 2017 – More than two billion people around the world have accessibility needs due to disability and age. And yet a new study released today by Amadeus reveals that most of their needs are not being fully catered for by either the travel industry or the public sector, so accessible travel is far from becoming something that millions of travelers can take for granted.

 

According to the report "Voyage of discovery. Working towards inclusive and accessible travel for all", one of the biggest barriers to accessible travel remains inaccurate or incomplete information being available, coupled with a lack of skilled customer service. The re-port also shows that travelers with accessibility needs increasingly now expect these to be met as part of the mainstream service and at no extra cost. The role of technology in accessible travel is becoming more important, with specific developments such as voice recognition starting to be seen as commonplace.

 

The study also finds:

 

·        The overall travel experience and how this is adapted to different needs is rated at just 6.2 out of 10

·        Travelling by plane is the preferred transportation method (35.9 percent of respondents)

·        The least satisfactory areas with regards to accessibility are those related to rail-way stations (4.9 out of 10) and the most satisfactory area is accommodation (6.2 out of 10)

 

The study highlights that transitioning to an accessible travel-friendly environment for all will require the improvement of many aspects. These include more effective communication that facilitates access to relevant information on accessibility, and a more responsive service with properly trained staff who know how to address people with different access needs.

 

Moreover, standardized content and services would increase consistency across the industry ensuring clarity in the type of services that any customer could expect. There is an opportunity in tandem for a more personalized travel experience so that each travel segment is tailored to the individual and their specific needs, the report says.

 

Finally, the research recommends further collaboration between the private and public sectors to meet the expectations of travelers with accessibility needs.

 

“Improving accessibility in travel means enhancing usability for all customers. Lifting barriers to travel, personalizing the travel offer, using technology to further facilitate travelers’ experiences and creating more accessible infrastructure where people can navigate autonomously will benefit everybody,” comments Alex Luzárraga, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Amadeus.

 

Accessibility is one of the elements addressed by Amadeus’ Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. It is also a key aspect assessed by Environmental, Social and Governance external evaluations such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

 

“We are committed to sustainability in the travel industry,” says Tomas López Fernebrand, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Amadeus. “Indeed, we are proud to have been recognized by the DJSI as world leaders of our sector. For a sustainable travel industry, accessibility is a key element, and a powerful tool to broaden people’s access to travel. Technology has a key role to play as an enabler in this. It is also necessary to work together with consumers and the private and public sectors to consolidate industry standards that ensure accessible travel for all becomes a reality.”

 

The study, which was conducted by ILUNION, a consulting firm owned by ONCE, the Spanish National Organization of the Blind, was developed in the U.S, the EU and India, and included some 800 interviews with travelers with accessibility needs as well as industry experts, private-public sector representatives and international institutions. Segmentation of travelers for the study was based on people with visual, hearing, cognitive, physical disabilities and senior travelers (over 65).

 

To learn more about the research and to download the "Voyage of discovery. Working towards inclusive and accessible travel for all" report, please CLICK HERE.

Source: Amadeus News 

2017’s Best & Worst Cities for People with Disabilities, WalletHub Report

The website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of the Best and Worst Cities Cities for People with Disabilities in America for 2017. 

When searching for a new place to call home, people with disabilities often have a longer and more complicated list of considerations compared with healthier individuals. In addition to common wish-list items, such as reliable public transportation and diverse entertainment options, people with major health conditions also must think about, for instance, accessibility of facilities or even the cleanliness of the air.

According to the Social Security Administration, one in five Americans lives with a disability, and one in 10 has a severe disability. Managing poor health can be quite expensive, considering the high cost of U.S. health care. To add insult to injury, disability checks for most beneficiaries are insufficient for monthly living expenses — let alone disability-related costs. “At the beginning of 2015, Social Security paid an average monthly disability benefit of $1,165” according to the SSA. “That is barely enough to keep a beneficiary above the 2014 poverty level ($11,670 annually).”

Although disability benefits can increase based on inflation, many people with disabilities rely on low cost of living and wages for financial relief. In 2016, nearly 5.4 million people with disabilities were employed. But the unemployment rate for this group has risen in recent years, concerning those who hope to earn a living in order to cover the shortfall in income.

With the physical and economic challenges of managing a disability in mind, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated cities across 28 key indicators of disability-friendliness. The data set ranges from physicians per capita to rate of workers with disabilities to park accessibility.

 Please read the full article for WalletHub's findings, expert insight from a panel of researchers and a full description of their methodology at: CLICK HERE

Source: WalletHub

2017’s States with the Best & Worst Dental Health : WalletHub Study

The website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of the Best & Worst States for Dental Health for 2017.

Many people dread visiting their dentist — let alone brushing and flossing once or twice a day. Some even fear seeing a dental professional, evident in the sheer number of websites, articles and support forums devoted to the topics of dental anxiety and phobia. Others simply can’t afford dental work.

Despite the hassle, expense and sometimes pain of maintaining them, a healthy set of chompers can go a long way. A brilliant smile is known to do wonders to a person’s self-esteem, and oral health tends to speak volumes about one’s general well-being.

But you won’t achieve a killer smile just by brushing and flossing. Where you live can directly affect your dental health, too — especially if you’re a woman. According to researchers at Columbia University, “women who resided in communities with fluoridated water during childhood earn approximately 4% more than women who did not,” adding that they found “no effect of fluoridation for men.” The loss of a tooth, on the other hand, can cost “an urban-residing woman earning $11/hour and working full time” approximately $720 in annual earnings. Besides that, oral diseases result in global productivity losses and treatment costs totaling an estimated $442 billion per year.

In order to determine which places boast the best teeth in the U.S., WalletHub’s data team compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 23 key indicators of dental health. Our data set ranges from “share of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year” to “dental treatment costs” to “share of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition.” Read on for WalletHub's findings, additional insight from dental experts and a full description of our methodology.

For the Full WalletHub Study: CLICK HERE

Source: WalletHub

2017’s Best & Worst States for Health Care : WalletHub Study

The website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of the Best & Worst States for Health Care for 2017.

More Americans have access to health care today, but cost and service quality can vary widely from state to state. The overall health of the population, more advanced medical equipment and a general lack of awareness regarding the best types of treatment, for instance, can all drive up costs. Today, the average American spends nearly $10,000 per year on personal health care, according to the most recent estimates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and that figure is expected to increase over time.

But higher costs don’t necessarily translate to better results. In its latest analysis of global health care quality, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that the U.S. remains outperformed by several other wealthy nations on several measures, such as health coverage, life expectancy and disease burden, which measures longevity and quality of life. However, the U.S. has progressed in others, particularly “its ability to promote health and provide high-quality care, with some recent improvement in the accessibility of that care and a slowing of spending growth.”

To determine where Americans receive the best and worst health care in the U.S., WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 35 measures of cost, accessibility and outcome. Read on for WalletHub's findings, expert insight on the future of American health care and a full description of our methodology.

For the Full WalletHub Report: CLICK HERE

Source: WalletHub

2017’s Healthiest Cities in America : WalletHub Study

The website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of the Healthiest Cities in America for 2017.

Location matters when it comes to health. Some places promote wellness by expanding access to nutritious food and recreational facilities. Others strive to keep treatment costs affordable for everyone or protect green space that encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.

Absent such essentials, good health can be difficult to maintain, what with the rising cost of care in the U.S. and uneven standards for health education in public schools. Add to those factors the myriad health advice cluttering the web and the “groundbreaking” diet programs promising quick and easy results

To determine which areas prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub’s data team compared 150 of the most populated U.S. cities across 34 key indicators of good health. Our data set ranges from “cost of doctor visit” to “fruit and vegetable consumption” to “fitness clubs per capita.” Read on for WalletHub's findings, sound health advice from trustworthy experts and a full description of our methodology.

For the Full WalletHub Report: CLICK HERE

Source: WalletHub

2017’s Best & Worst States for Children’s Health Care : WalletHub Study

The website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of Best & Worst States for Children’s Health Care for 2017.

Raising a child in America is more expensive than ever, and health care accounts for a big chunk of the bill. And while more kids are insured today than at any other point in history, the higher coverage rate hasn’t translated to lower health costs for parents. Per-capita spending on children’s health care in 2014 reached $2,660 — having increased by more than 5 percent every year since 2010 — due mainly to rising health costs, according to a recent report from the Health Cost Institute.

But it’s a different story in every state. WalletHub’s data team therefore compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of cost, quality and access to children’s health care. Our data set ranges from share of children aged 0 to 17 in excellent or very good health to pediatricians and family doctors per capita. Read on for WalletHub's findings, expert insight from a panel of researchers and a full description of our methodology.

For the Full WalletHub Report: CLICK HERE

Source: WalletHub

2017 Disability Equality Index names the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion"

Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2017) – US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to release the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI) – the third year measured by the Index. 110 companies participated in the 2017 DEI, with results indicating where companies are excelling in their commitment to inclusive environmental, social, and governance policies. DEI results also indicate areas in which companies must improve and close the policy and practice gaps for disability inclusion. This year a record 68 employers have earned the top rating of 100 – signaling to corporate America that becoming inclusive to people with disabilities drives positive results across the business.

Since the commencement of the DEI, corporate America has significantly advanced efforts to be inclusive of people with disabilities. In fact, the DEI report shows external employee recruitment has become even more inclusive with 95% of all 2017 DEI companies report having recruitment efforts in place that are specifically geared toward hiring individuals with disabilities; an 11 percentage point increase since 2014.

Companies are also becoming more inclusive internally to employees with disabilities. 88% of reporting companies have a specific disability-focused employee resource group or affinity organization; an 18 percentage point increase since 2015. In addition, 86% of DEI companies reported a senior executive proactively acts as a champion or sponsor of these resource/affinity groups; a 17 percentage point increase since 2015. Both points signal corporate culture is gradually shifting to be more inclusive; from various directions of the company.

Conversely, the DEI results show where corporate America still lags in the journey towards disability inclusion. For example, although many participating companies recognize USBLN certified disability-owned business enterprises, only 51% of reporting companies report having disability included in their supplier diversity programs – up slightly from 49% in 2016.

Another opportunity for improvement is in interview accommodations. Only 39% of DEI companies communicate the option to request an accommodation(s) for the interview. Another barrier towards inclusivity is accessibility. Despite the recent momentum gained with web accessibility efforts (including the #a11y initiatives), just over half of the DEI companies audit their external websites for accessibility. This number drops to 26% when it comes to their internal websites.

“We applaud those companies that are advancing their disability inclusion efforts across the business,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of USBLN. “Taking the DEI is an important step within the journey, backed with concrete data and insight. The release of this report, and the 68 leading companies, challenges other companies to fill in those critical gaps, and realize the possible results by being inclusive to people with disabilities, throughout the workforce, marketplace and supply-chain.”

"AAPD proudly recognizes this year's top DEI scorers," said Helena Berger, President and CEO of AAPD. On the heels of the 27th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we should celebrate our achievements but also reflect on the fact that employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities have remained unchanged. Employment is a pathway to the American Dream, and the DEI is an effective, non-punitive tool that builds partnerships between the disability and business communities to ultimately expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and embrace the talents and skills we bring to the workplace. Working together, we can help ensure no one is left behind or unable to pursue their dream because of a disability."

The recognition of being a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” is reserved for those companies that have scored 80 or above on the DEI. The full company list can be accessed here: http://www.usbln.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/2017-DEI-top-companies

The companies participating in the 2017 DEI represent 21 different sectors of the American economy, and have a total U.S. workforce of approximately 7.2 million workers—or approximately 5% of all American workers. In addition to their impact on the American workforce, these companies have a substantial financial impact on the American economy, with all publicly held corporations totaling representing nearly $6 trillion in market value.

The 2017 DEI Report dives deeper into the insights of the 2017 DEI results, and serves as a tool for the business community to recognize areas where they can continue to improve their support for their employees with disabilities and learn best practices and policies from other Fortune 1000-scope businesses. The 2017 DEI Report is public and can be accessed here: http://www.usbln.org/what-we-do/disability-equality-index/2017-DEI-report

Companies that are interested in taking the 2018 DEI can sign up for the mailing list to be notified of the open registration period: http://bit.ly/2wjRiRM

About the DEI
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a unique, joint project of US Business Leadership Council and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It serves as the nation’s most trusted annual benchmarking tool allowing America’s leading corporations to self-report their disability policies and practices. This evolving survey then scores each corporation on a scale from 0 to 100—100 representing the most inclusive. The DEI was developed by the two national leaders in consultation with the appointed DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse and voluntary group of experts in business, policy, and disability advocacy.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 56+ million Americans with disabilities.

About the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®)
USBLN (US Business Leadership Network) unites business around disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. USBLN has more than 130 corporate partners spanning the technology, healthcare, financial, transportation, entertainment, and retail industries. USBLN serves as a collective voice of nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates across the United States, representing over 5,000 businesses. USBLN has various nationally recognized tools and programs, such as the Disability Equality Index and the leading disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) certification program, to bridge inclusive companies with people and organizations within the disability community.

source: press release

2017 Report on The 10 Best States for Disability Employment

Former President George H.W. Bush signed the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990, reshaping American civil rights to also outlaw discrimination based on disability.

By Megan Trimble, Associate Editor, Social Media | U.S. News Report | July 26, 2017                       
Employing people with disabilities is now viewed not only as a civil right, but also as vital to state workforces and the economy.

Arkansas lands chief among the 2017 U.S. News Best States ranking for disability employment, based on an analysis of each state's gap in the unemployment rate. That gap is calculated as the ratio of people in the labor force with a disability over people in the labor force without a disability. The ranking is part of U.S. News' larger Best States for Equality ranking, which includes additional factors such as education, race and gender equality.

Arkansas is home to Arkansas Employment First – a state-backed group formed to begin a "long-range planning to support a culture change where people with disabilities are recognized for the contributions and capabilities they have to offer." The program is similar to other states' Employment First initiatives. Arkansas is one of at least 33 states that has a policy directive, executive order, official statement or legislation related to the Employment First state-level policy, according to the group.

Nevada and Mississippi follow the Bear State in ranking second and third for disability employment, respectively. Conversely, while Maine is the No. 1 Best State for Equality, its gap in the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is higher than in any other state.

These are the 10 best states for disability employment:

State	Disability Employment Rate Rank	Overall Equality Rank	Overall Best States Rank
Arkansas	1	32	48
Nevada	2	33	40
Mississippi	3	38	49
West Virginia	4	3	41
Wyoming	5	29	26
Oklahoma	6	35	44
California	7	16	23
New Mexico	8	23	46
Rhode Island	9	25	21
Oregon	10	10	19

FOR THE FULL U.S NEWS REPORT, VISIT: 

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-07-26/the-10-best-states-for-disability-employment

Illinois Nursing Home Violations for 2017 Second Quarter

July 18, 2017 – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the following type “AA” and “A” violations of the Nursing Home Care Act processed during the first quarter of 2017.  An “AA” violation is cited when there is a condition or occurrence at the facility that proximately caused a resident’s death.  An “A” violation pertains to a condition in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious mental or physical harm will result, or has resulted.

The Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators can be found on IDPH’s website and contains additional information about the violations.

April

• Harmony Nursing & Rehab Center, a 180-bed skilled care facility located at 3919 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to conduct a follow-up assessment of an eye condition in which the resident was admitted to the hospital with conjunctival infection, and conduct a skin assessment in which deep tissue injuries were found. The facility has requested a hearing.
• Hope Creek Care Center, a 245-bed skilled care facility located at 4343 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to safely transfer a resident resulting in the resident sustaining a broken femur.  The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $16,250.
• Lexington Health Care Center of Lombard, a 224-bed skilled care facility located at 2100 South Finley Road, Lombard, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to safely transfer a resident resulting in the resident sustaining a fractured femur.   The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $16,250.
• Midway Neurological/Rehab Center, a 404-bed skilled care facility located at 8540 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to prevent a resident from entering a restricted room and falling five stories down a laundry chute.  The resident sustained multiple broken bones requiring hospitalization and surgery.  The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $25,000.
• Mulberry Manor, a 64-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled located at 612 East Davie Street, Anna, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $10,000 for failure to provide oversite on policies concerning resident elopement, ingestion of non-food items (PICA), investigation of peer-to-peer abuse, reporting of incidents, documentation of pressure ulcers.  The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $6,500.
• Pleasant View Rehab & HCC, a 74-bed skilled care facility located at 500 North Jackson Street, Morrison, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to for failure to provide care in a safe manner and prevent a resident from falling from a chair and suffering several fractures.  The facility requested a hearing.
• Rosewood Care Center of Galesburg, a 180-bed skilled care facility located at 1250 West Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to provide immediate treatment for a resident suffering a femur fracture.  The facility requested a hearing and paid $12,500.
• Sharon Health Care Elms, a 98-bed skilled care facility located at 3611 North Rochelle, Peoria, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to prevent falls resulting in injury to a resident.  The facility requested a hearing and paid $9,821.
• Washington Christian Village, 122-bed skilled care facility located at 1201 Newcastle Road, Washington, has been cited with two “A” violations and fined $50,000 for failure to properly administer one resident’s medications resulting in emergent hospitalization, and prevent stage four pressure sores.  The facility requested a hearing and paid $27,776.50.
• Wentworth Rehab and HCC, a 300-bed skilled care facility located at 201 West 69th Street, Chicago, has been cited with two “A” violations and fined $50,000 for failure to provide emergency care to a resident involved in a fire, and to report to the physician the inability to follow a resident’s care plan.  The facility requested a hearing.

May

• DuPage Care Center, a 368-bed skilled care facility located at 400 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to safety transfer between a chair and a bed, residents who are dependent upon help, resulting in three residents sustaining injuries.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Manorcare of Westmont, a 149-bed skilled care facility located at 512 East Ogden Avenue, Westmont, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to prevent an avoidable accident when an employee ran over a residents feet with a heavy metal food cart causing multiple injuries.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Meadows Mennonite Home, a 159-bed skilled, intermediate, and shelter care facility located at 24588 Church Street, Chenoa, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to protect six residents from a staff member who mentally abused and humiliated the residents by taking unauthorized pictures and video, which included partial nudity, and posting them on social media.  The facility also failed to report the known unauthorized pictures.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Willow Rose Rehab & Health Care, a 98-bed skilled care facility located at 410 Fletcher, Jerseyville, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to include a resident’s Advance Directive in their care plan, resulting in the death of a resident for whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not being performed.  The facility has requested a hearing.

June

• Addolorata Villa, a 141-bed skilled, intermediate, and shelter care facility located at 555 McHenry Road, Wheeling, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to supervise a resident at risk for falls, who fell and sustained fractures requiring hospitalization.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Covenant Health Care Center-Batavia, a 99-bed skilled care facility located at 831 North Batavia Avenue, Batavia, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to safely transfer a resident who suffered a fracture, was admitted to hospice, and later died.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Lydia Healthcare, a 412-bed intermediate care facility located at 13901 South Lydia, Robbins, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to supervise a resident to prevent the ingestion of non-edible objects.  The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $16,250.
• Mado Healthcare – Douglas Park, a 172-bed intermediate care facility located at 1550 South Albany, Chicago, has been cited with an “AA” violation and fined $50,000 for failure to intervene when a resident physically assaulted another resident, resulting in hospitalization due head inquiries and subsequent death.   The facility has requested a hearing.
• Morton Terrace H &R Centre, a 166-bed skilled and intermediate care facility located at 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to provide prompt medical care for a resident with a worsening lack of blood flow to the leg, contributing the resident’s death.  The facility has requested a hearing.
• Pleasant Hill Village, a 98-bed skilled care facility located at 1010 West North Street, Girard, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to assess and monitor the positioning of a resident in bed, which may have contributed to the resident’s death.  The facility waived its right to a hearing and paid $17,680.
• Regency Care of Morris, a 123-bed skilled care facility located at 1095 Twilight Drive, Morris, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to identify worsening wounds, notify the physician, and treat the wounds for residents with pressure sores.  The facility requested a waiver. 
• Rosewood Care Center of Peoria, a 120-bed skilled care facility located at 1500 West Northmoor Road, Peoria, has been cited with an “A” violation and fined $25,000 for failure to identify and prevent pressure sore from worsening, notify a physician for treatment, and maintain clean hand hygiene while providing care to residents.  The facility has requested a hearing.

Attachments

• IDPH Nursing Home Violations

source: State of Illinois e-News Release

July 2017 Largest National Health Care Fraud Takedown in History

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, along with our state and federal law enforcement partners, participated in the largest health care fraud takedown in history in July 2017. More than 400 defendants in 41 federal districts were charged with participating in fraud schemes involving about $1.3 billion in false billings to Medicare and Medicaid. OIG also issued exclusion notices to 295 doctors, nurses, and other providers based on conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse. Takedowns protect Medicare and Medicaid and deter fraud -- sending a strong signal that theft from these taxpayer-funded programs will not be tolerated. The money taxpayers spend fighting fraud is an excellent investment: For every $1.00 spent on health care-related fraud and abuse investigations in the last three years, more than $5.00 has been recovered.

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• Visit 2017 National Health Care Fraud Takedown to Learn More
• On Twitter or Facebook. #HealthCareFraud

source: press release