Emily Keller-O'Donnell, Journalist

MTA Approves Access-A-Ride, Bus and Subway Cuts

    By Emily F. Keller

    The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a wide-ranging package of service cuts that will take effect by the end of June unless alternative sources of funding are allocated to prevent them.

    The changes, which the board approved at its March 24 meeting, include an expansion of the original proposal to transform a portion of door-to-door Access-A-Ride trips into a feeder service that would bring customers to accessible bus and train stations instead of taking them all the way to their destinations.

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

Community Bids Farewell to Harry Wieder

    The New York Times published a very personal obituary of Harry Wieder, a disability and gay rights activist in New York City who passed away tragically last week after being struck by a taxi. He was buried in Forest Hills, Queens in a ceremony that drew friends, family, disability rights activists and elected officials. Wieder was 57.

    The article does an excellent job giving those who have never met Wieder the chance to feel like they know him. To read the obituary, click here.

MTA Approves Access-A-Ride, Bus and Subway Cuts

    The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a wide-ranging package of service cuts that will take effect by the end of June unless alternative sources of funding are allocated to prevent them.

    The changes, which the board approved at its March 24 meeting, include an expansion of the original proposal to transform a portion of door-to-door Access-A-Ride trips into a feeder service that would bring customers to accessible bus and train stations instead of taking them all the way to their destinations.

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

Health Care Reform Will Expand Services

    Advocacy organizations are praising the government's passage of health care reform legislation that will expand care options and financial assistance, when needed, to all Americans.

    The House of Representatives passed the Senate's Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care bill (H.R. 3590_ with a 219-212 vote. The House passed the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) reforming the bill with a vote of 220-211 in late March.

    The law will improve training for physicians, dentists and allied health professionals in trating people with disabilities. It will ensure coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation products and services and the inclusion of people with disabilities as a focus group in prevention programs by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

    This story was published in Able News. Click here to read page one and here to read page two.