Declaration for Independence

A Call to Transform Health and Long Term Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities





Celebrating April as Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month!

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April is Autism Acceptance Month. During this time we recognize the importance of creating an inclusive society that values neurodiversity, and the benefit that all of us have when we can bring our whole selves to school, work and our community. In this month’s blog, Jonathan Kratchman talks about how being autistic has been a challenge and a benefit in his personal and professional life.

Physical Distancing Essentials for COVID-19/Coronavirus

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Self isolation from COVID-19 has many Americans staying indoors and getting acquainted with homeschool and telework for the first time. If you are dealing with the isolation blues or just need a little support, here are some Isolation Essentials to help get you through.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We sat down with two of our NAB members, to learn about the hurdles individuals with developmental disabilities (IDD) and their parents are still facing and how they navigate education, supports and services.

Life is Precious, Practice Wellness

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September is National Recovery Month – an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of mental health conditions and substance use disorders and celebrate the people in recovery. This year the “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger.” We sat down with Andrea Cook, Program Manager/Advocacy Director at Northern California Mental Health America to learn how we can support our families, friends and communities who are dealing with mental health conditions and living in recovery; as well as become more aware of  our own mental health and wellness.

Recognizing World Duchenne Awareness Day and How PPMD is Paving New Policy Pathways

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With the growing recognition of World Duchenne Awareness Day on September 7, Congress returning to work after summer recess, our kids heading back to school and the need to reach out to teachers and administrators about Duchenne, September is the perfect month to take action to raise awareness and crucial funds to support our fight to End Duchenne.

Is the ADA Ready for Caregivers?

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The ADA is forward thinking but when it was signed we may not have anticipated how many aging Americans would need its protections. As Disability and aging become mainstream, our views on these issues have evolved and as a result we are more concerned about issues of caregiving.

Technology: Undone Work of the ADA?

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The use of smartphones, wearables, and advancements in digital entertainment and gaming are making current generations wonder why digital access was not made more explicit in the original ADA text. The ADA is certainly a bastion for protections tied to access, but as technology develops and becomes a larger part of our day to day lives, have the protections in the ADA also expanded?

ADA 29: Should We Celebrate?

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In 2019, The Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 29. As it teeters on the precipice of a new decade, it made us think about how the ADA will continue to develop civil rights policy of tomorrow. As we move toward the ADA Anniversary join us as we review some ideas about the ADA’s past and hopes for the future.