Emily Keller-O'Donnell, Journalist

MTA Budget Cuts Will Hit Disabled

But even as the transit system reduces some services, it continues other efforts to improve accessibility.

By Emily F. Keller

Thursday, Apr 22, 2010

Emily Keller/City Limits

    Clara Bailon is one of 900,000 New Yorkers with a disability who is bracing for Metropolitan Transportation Authority service cuts this June that promise to make an already challenging transit system more difficult to use.

    But even as the budget ax falls, disabled riders will continue to benefit from long-term technological and capital improvements that make the system more accessible.

    Bailon of the Bronx is a power-wheelchair user and transit safety advocate who takes buses, subways and Access-A-Ride vehicles to athletic activities, to see family and friends and, occasionally, to attend public hearings—where she tells the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) about accessibility challenges she experiences while traveling.

    Click here to read the full story.

Obama Budget Alters Funding Streams

    President Barack Obama recently announced the federal budget for the next fiscal year, which includes spending adjustments to programs for people with disabilities.

    Obama's budget for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins in October, totals $3.8 trillion. It includes increases for special education, vocational training and independent living programs. The budget also calls for the consolidation of several funding streams.

    The budget proposes to alter the way that independent living centers are funded and establishes a "Grants for Independent Living" program that would pool funding for Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils.

    This article was published in Able News. Click here to read the article.

Lighting the Torch: Winter Paralympics Draws 500 Athletes

    From March 12 to 21, more than 500 athletes with disabilities from all parts of the world took part in the Winter Paralympics Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.

    John Furlong, chief executive officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for this year's games, said in his speed at the opening ceremony, "Let these games also serve to honor and recognize men and women of sport the world over who have made it their personal mission in life to use sport to build better lives, to inspire children, to bring hope and inspire peace - men and women who have dedicated themselves to helping the remarkable athletes gathered here to achieve their dreams."

    Click here to view the front page. Click here to continue reading about the opening ceremony and here for the results. Click here for the conclusions to the last two stories. Photos by Carter Farmer.

Brain Scan Shows Activity in Injured Man

    A British research lab has discovered that people with severe brain injuries may be able to provide "yes" and "no" answers to scientists using their thoughts.

    "We were astonished when we saw the results of the patient's scan and that he was able to correctly answer the questions that were asked by simply changing his thoughts," said Adrian Owen, co-author of the research study that generated the findings.

    This article was published in Able News. Click here to read the story.