By Roger Yu, USA TODAY

Dogs need to go, too. So airports are adding doggie restrooms.Airports say “pet relief areas” enhance customer service. But they’re also being nudged by a federal rule that orders airlines to work with airports to install facilities for travelers who have service dogs.

 Among airports with new dog bathrooms: Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, Washington National, Chicago O’Hare and Phoenix.

 The facilities are typically outside, within walking distance of the terminal. The federal rule requires they be kept clean, free of odor, contain a gravel or sand surface and have adequate drainage. Some airports have added synthetic grass, fire hydrants and benches.

 ”Many of our members travel,” says Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, which pushed for the rule. “Increasingly, you don’t get much time between flights. You don’t have a whole lot of time to take care of your dog’s needs.”

 About 2 million pets and other animals fly each year in the U.S., according to the Transportation Department. But convenient relief areas weren’t required until the department published changes last year to the Air Carrier Access Act, which spells out travel rights for people who have physical disabilities.

 ”If there was one (before),” she says, “it was in the boondocks, and (travelers) didn’t have much time to get there.”

 Neva Fairchild of Carrollton, Texas, who has a service dog and is an American Foundation for the Blind employee, says it can be embarrassing for owners of dogs that relieve themselves at an airport curb.

 ”I can understand if people are offended by dogs relieving themselves at a pole 20 feet from the airport,” she says. “But when the dog has to go, it has to go.”

 Fairchild says she’d like to see more relief inside security zones at airports to avoid clearing security-screening checkpoints again for connecting flights.

 Washington Dulles is one of the few airports with indoor facilities within its security zone, in addition to three relief areas outside. Engineers designed them after studying other dog parks. They contain ventilation and wall-mounted water-distribution systems for cleaning, Dulles spokeswoman Courtney Mickalonis says.

 Before assigning a new pet area, Atlanta had “maintenance issues” with travelers who let their dogs use landscaped areas without cleaning up, says Gary Summerlin, an engineer at the world’s busiest airport, where about 6,000 animals are flown annually in cargo. But pet owners using the “formal” area have been more responsible, he says.

Marci’s Medicare Answers

                     October 2010

Dear Marci,

I am going to turn 65 in a month, and have drug coverage through my employer’s plan. Should I enroll in Part D?

                                                                                —Kurt

 Dear Kurt,

 It depends. If you have drug coverage from a current or former employer or union, you should consider quality of your employer coverage and whether or not it will work with the Medicare drug benefit (it often will not).

 If you have coverage that is as good as or better than Medicare’s drug benefit (“creditable”) and you like it, you can keep it. You will not pay a penalty to join a Medicare private drug plan later as long as you have not been without your creditable coverage for more than 63 days. Find out from your employer whether your coverage is as good as Medicare’s drug benefit. You should get a notice from your employer every year letting you know how your employer benefits are changing, whether or not your drug coverage is creditable, and if enrolling in a Part D plan would affect your current coverage (for both you and your family members who receive that coverage). If you want to keep your employer benefits, and are considering joining a Medicare drug plan, make sure you ask your employer if you can have both types of coverage. Many employer plans do not work with the drug benefit. You could lose all your employer benefits (both health and drug) if you join a Medicare private drug plan.
—Marci

 Dear Marci,

Will Medicare pay for substance abuse treatment?

—Lorrie

 Dear Lorrie,

 Yes. Medicare will help pay for substance abuse treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings under the following conditions:

 .You receive services from a Medicare-participating provider or facility;

• your doctor must state that the services are medically necessary; and
  • your doctor determines your treatment plan.

Substance abuse treatment is classified under mental health services. For substance abuse treatment, Medicare will pay 55 percent of its approved amount for mental health services, and you or your supplemental insurance are responsible for the rest.

For inpatient care, Medicare Part A helps pay for your care if you are hospitalized for substance abuse treatment. Your out-of-pocket costs are the same as for any other type of hospital stay.

For outpatient care, Medicare Part B helps pay for outpatient substance abuse treatment services from a clinic or hospital outpatient department. Covered services include, but are not limited to:

• Psychotherapy
• Patient education regarding diagnosis and treatment
• Post-hospitalization follow-up
  • Prescription drugs administered during a hospital stay or injected at a doctor’s office

—Marci

 Dear Marci,

What is a Federally Qualified Health Center? A friend suggested I look into them because of my limited income.

—Marylou

 Dear Marylou,

Federally Qualified Health Centers are located in “medically underserved areas” and provide low-come health care. People with Medicare are eligible to receive services from these government-funded health centers. They provide Medicare-covered medical services as well as some preventive services that Medicare does not cover, and they may also waive the Medicare Part B deductible. Additionally, the clinics may waive or reduce the 20 percent coinsurance for Medicare-covered benefits for people with an annual income at or below the federal poverty level ($10,830 for an individual, $14,570 for a couple in 2010). Some government-funded health centers may also provide dental services.

—Marci

 Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org.

To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org

‘Temple Grandin’ wins big at Emmys. But who is she?

What is accessible information technology?

Accessible information technology is technology that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Each user is able to interact with the technology in ways that work best for him or her. Accessible technology is either directly accessible-in other words, it is usable without assistive technology-or it is compatible with standard assistive technology. Just as buildings that have ramps and elevators are accessible to wheelchair users, products that adhere to accessible design principles are usable by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.

Examples of accessible electronic and information technology:

• Accessible software applications may include features specifically designed for users with disabilities. However, they always give users more than one way of accomplishing a task. They use established standards for displaying menus and prompts that can be interpreted by assistive technology. They allow users to use the mouse alone, the keyboard alone, or a combination of the two. They rely on more than color to convey information. Installation instructions, user guides, and other documentation are available in alternate formats, such as large print, Braille, and electronic text.
• Accessible multimedia products, which may be distributed on videotapes, CDs, DVDs, or the World Wide Web, include synchronized text captions for spoken information and other audio content and provide synchronized audio descriptions for visual content. They offer more than one way to input commands or respond to prompts. For example, captions may be provided in addition to spoken instructions to allow children with hearing impairments who can read to participate. Providing keyboard commands for all functions of the software allows children with visual impairments to participate. Captioning and alternative ways of navigating can make a big difference in the ability of students with disabilities to use these technologies independently. Descriptive narration and audio navigation (talking menus) are also essential in order for those with vision impairments to access videos and DVDs independently.
• Accessible websites are designed to be usable by individuals with a broad range of abilities and disabilities; they are designed so that all visitors can navigate the site, access content, and participate in interactive web activities. Accessible web sites provide a text equivalent (typically a description) for all nontext elements, such as audio, video, graphics, animation, graphical buttons, and image maps. This allows those who cannot see the screen to access the information with a screen reader that can read the description of a picture but cannot “read” the picture.
• Accessible copy machines can be operated in more than one way using keypads, touch screens, or voice recognition. Height and position can be adjusted so that controls are within easy reach and the display can be viewed easily. Document feeders are located at desk height, putting them within reach.

The following article is forwarded to you by the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org) for your information:

WebWire

August 9, 2010

Congress Makes Captioning a Requirement for Online Video with Passing of Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act and 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009

New legislation increases access to Internet video content as Americans with Disabilities Act marks its 20th Anniversary

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) – August 9, 2010 – The U.S. Senate voted last week to pass the Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act, a bill that requires captioning of online video content, amongst other points. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar version of the bill, entitled the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, the week before.

July 26th of this year marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a trail-blazing piece of legislation that banned companies or individuals from discriminating against persons with disabilities. Now, two decades later, Congress has passed new legislation that provides accessibility in the age of the Internet.

Though the bill contains various points related to making Internet content accessible to all citizens, a few main points include:

• Requiring captions for television content that appears online

• Mandating mobile phone companies make Web browsers, text messaging and email on smart phones fully accessible

• Providing $10m in funding each year for assistive technology for deaf-blind individuals

PLYmedia, a leading enhanced video solutions provider based out of Palo Alto, California, has been extolling the value of online video captioning through its SubPLY product solution for the past three years and they have been offering the innovative captioning technology Congress is putting into law long before it was part of the collective conscious.
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“We congratulate the U.S. Congress in passing this landmark legislation, as well as the various grass roots organizations who helped with its passage,” said Matt Knopf, VP of Business Development at PLYmedia.

 “Not only will deaf and hard of hearing audiences have access to online television programming, but now these online video publishers will enjoy the business benefits of captioning that our customers have been enjoying for years. We can help these publishers get up and running in a matter of weeks.”

Online video captioning is advantageous for several reasons:

• It makes available content previously inaccessible to the 36 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans

• It benefits broadcasters who can easily translate captions into foreign languages and reach wide and varied new audiences. PLYmedia can provide subtitles for both live and on demand online video.

• It drives web traffic and increases natural search rankings for video content publishers since transcripts allow content to become discoverable
• It helps to reach even those audiences who are without disability – most online video viewing takes place at work, where people can’t or won’t use audio and would rely solely on video captioning.

• Statistics have shown that people watch online videos 38% longer when using captions, as opposed to those who didn’t, so it encourages longer viewing times.

The SubPLY technology works with online publishers’ existing video players and has partnership agreements with some of the leading online video platforms such as Brightcove, Ooyala, Kaltura, Kit Digital, Delve Networks, Livestream, thePlatform and others.

New Hampshire Autism News:

Autism Speaks Joins the New Hampshire Autism Community in Applauding Governor Lynch for Signing Connor’s Law

New Hampshire Becomes 22nd State to Enact Autism Insurance Reform Legislation

NEW YORK, NY (July 27, 2010) – Autism Speaks joined New Hampshire families, the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Autism Society of New Hampshire, and other autism advocacy organizations on Friday in applauding Governor John Lynch for enacting House Bill 569, also known as Connor’s Law. This bill requires health insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. HB 569 will go into effect on January 1, 2011.

Connor’s Law requires that a medical professional submit a treatment plan detailing the course of therapy. To be eligible for coverage, ABA therapy must be provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or by someone working under the supervision of such a professional. The bill also includes a $36,000 annual cap on applied behavioral analysis (ABA) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) birth to age 12, and $27,000 for youth 13 to 21. Insurance coverage for non ABA related therapies does not have any age limits or monetary caps.

“This is a great day for the thousands of New Hampshire families that had been financially devastated by the lack of insurance coverage for necessary autism therapies,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “Legislatures across the country have introduced and passed bills that put an end to the discriminatory practices by insurance companies against children with an autism diagnosis. We thank New Hampshire’s legislators and Governor Lynch for having the courage to put families and their needs first.”…

Massachusetts Autism News:

Massachusetts Becomes the 23rd State to Enact Autism Insurance Reform

 – Autism Speaks joined Massachusetts families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding Governor Deval Patrick yesterday for signing the House Bill 4935 (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder) requiring private health insurance plans to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies for people of all ages. 

The bill, which was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry (2nd Essex District), and State Representative L’Italien (18th Essex District), Vice Chair of Ways and Means, ends private insurance companies’ discrimination against individuals of all ages diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by requiring coverage of medically necessary autism treatments, including evidence-based behavioral health treatments.  

“We thank Governor Patrick for signing ARICA into law,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “This enactment allows Massachusetts to join the growing number of states that have recognized the unfair and unreasonable burden being imposed on individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.”

Governor Patrick signed the bill before hundreds of families at Fenway Park on Tuesday, making Massachusetts the twenty-third state to pass such legislation.

“I am proud that Massachusetts now has one of the most comprehensive autism coverage laws in the nation,” said Governor Patrick.  “This bill offers needed relief for individuals and families struggling to pay for the services they need.”

“Autism insurance coverage represents a systemic change in how many people with autism in Massachusetts will access critical treatment,” said Amy Weinstock, Insurance Committee Chair for Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). “We are grateful to the members of our community for their tireless advocacy and for the amazing support of Autism Speaks.  We are incredibly fortunate to have Representative L’Italien and Senator Berry as our champions and we thank Governor Patrick for making autism insurance coverage a reality for our families.”

In many states, insurers explicitly exclude coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies from policies, which places a significant financial burden on individuals with autism and their families. In addition to Massachusetts, twenty-two other states – Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin – have enacted autism insurance reform bills.

To learn more about Autism Votes, an initiative of Autism Speaks focused on federal and state legislative advocacy, please visit www.autismvotes.org.

NEW YORK, NY (August 4, 2010) 

Massachusetts Autism News:

Massachusetts Becomes the 23rd State to Enact Autism Insurance Reform

NEW YORK, NY (August 4, 2010) — Autism Speaks joined Massachusetts families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding Governor Deval Patrick yesterday for signing the House Bill 4935 (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder) requiring private health insurance plans to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies for people of all ages.

The bill, which was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry (2nd Essex District), and State Representative L’Italien (18th Essex District), Vice Chair of Ways and Means, ends private insurance companies’ discrimination against individuals of all ages diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by requiring coverage of medically necessary autism treatments, including evidence-based behavioral health treatments.  

“We thank Governor Patrick for signing ARICA into law,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “This enactment allows Massachusetts to join the growing number of states that have recognized the unfair and unreasonable burden being imposed on individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.”

Governor Patrick signed the bill before hundreds of families at Fenway Park on Tuesday, making Massachusetts the twenty-third state to pass such legislation.

“I am proud that Massachusetts now has one of the most comprehensive autism coverage laws in the nation,” said Governor Patrick.  “This bill offers needed relief for individuals and families struggling to pay for the services they need.”

“Autism insurance coverage represents a systemic change in how many people with autism in Massachusetts will access critical treatment,” said Amy Weinstock, Insurance Committee Chair for Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). “We are grateful to the members of our community for their tireless advocacy and for the amazing support of Autism Speaks.  We are incredibly fortunate to have Representative L’Italien and Senator Berry as our champions and we thank Governor Patrick for making autism insurance coverage a reality for our families.”

In many states, insurers explicitly exclude coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies from policies, which places a significant financial burden on individuals with autism and their families. In addition to Massachusetts, twenty-two other states – Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin – have enacted autism insurance reform bills.

To learn more about Autism Votes, an initiative of Autism Speaks focused on federal and state legislative advocacy, please visit www.autismvotes.org.