Grants Announced to Support Housing for Low-Income People with Disabilities

Last week, the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $749 million in grants to support housing for very low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. The grants will help nonprofit organizations in 42 states produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services to an estimated more than 4,800 total elderly households and persons with disabilities. The Society applauds Congress’s bipartisan efforts that made this funding possible so that very low-income people with disabilities can more quickly access housing that meets their needs. To learn more about these grants and to see if your state received any funding, click here.

2011 Hall of Fame Honorees--MS Activists Recognized for their Advocacy Efforts

We want to congratulate all of the MS Activists recognized at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 2011 National Conference for their invaluable contributions.  Each year, local volunteers receive national recognition in various categories for their dedication and outstanding service. 

The amazing volunteers pictured below are helping to improve the lives of people living with MS through advocacy-- using their voices and leadership to drive policy changes and move us closer to a world free of MS. Click here to learn how each honoree is advocating at the state or federal level and witness the incredible difference they are making. You are an inspiration to all of us!!!

To follow the great example of these activists, be sure you are signed up to receive the Society’s federal action alerts and federal policy updates. Click here to sign up.

Meet this year’s honorees!

Kim Campbell - South Central Region

Karen Knable Jackson - National Capital Chapter

Ken Jones - Greater New England Chapter

Joel I. Kahn - Ohio Valley Chapter

 Sarah Mayfield - Eastern North Carolina Chapter

Dr. Ed Nightingale - Upper Midwest Chapter

Rachael Stacom - New York City – Southern New York Chapter
 

Pam Trosino - Greater Delaware Valley Chapter

Thinking of our Nation's Veterans

Bob

On this Veteran's Day weekend, MS Activist Bob Wolz with the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter has a special message:


"On behalf of the National MS Society, I would like to thank our veterans past and present that have served our country. I would especially like to thank my fellow veterans with MS who served and/or are serving our country. After I retired, I was missing a purpose in my life. After my diagnosis of MS in 2006, I found my new mission in life--advocating for everyone with MS, but specifically my fellow veterans with MS. In our current journey, we do not wear battle fatigues but the orange uniform of MS. I wear my uniform proudly and will continue to stand up, speak for, and be a leader for my fellow veterans.

Bob Advocating
for People with MS
in Washington, D.C.

In keeping with my Army Warrior Ethos.... I will always place the mission first - advocacy. I will never accept defeat. No is not in my vocabulary. I will never quit - regardless of how bad MS treats me or people try to disregard our fight. I will never leave a fallen comrade. For those that cannot or will not, I will be their eyes, ears, and heart. We will not be forgotten."


With Bob, the National MS Society thanks our nation's veterans for their service and dedication and their families who support them.

Update: Lives Worth Living Documentary

We know that some of you were disappointed that you were not able to see the film Lives Worth Living on PBS at the end of October. This is the riveting documentary about the disability rights movement. Good news!!! There are still opportunities to see the film in some areas of the country. Click here to find out if it is showing in your area. 

To learn more about the film, click here.

People with disabilities using their voice at the polls

More people with disabilities are exercising their right to vote and making a difference. A new study conducted by two Rutgers University professors, Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse, found that 14.7 million people with disabilities (57%) cast their ballots in 2008, while 64% of people without disabilities voted. While people with disabilities are still voting at lower rates than the rest of the American population, the gap is closing, research shows.  

In 2010, among those that were eligible to vote, people with disabilities voted at a rate of 42.8% while people without disabilities voted a rate of 45.5%. As you can see, people with disabilities are making a significant contribution to the political process in our country. Despite the many barriers that people with disabilities face while trying to vote such as inaccessible buildings and transportation, they are making their presence known.

Click here, to read the full study.

In honor of Election Day, we would also like to highlight the state of Oregon for its effort in making voting more accessible for people with disabilities. County election workers are using iPads to help people vote by going to parks, nursing homes, community centers and other places that might have people who need assistance with voting. Check out what Oregon is doing to get more people with disabilities to the polls-this may be an idea worth pursuing in other areas of the country.