Advocates are increasingly concerned about statements by politicians scapegoating people with mental health conditions for gun violence & calling for involuntary commitment, opening more institutions, and a national database. This post breaks down why: bit.ly/2P6gWrs

President Trump has heeded bipartisan calls to make federal student loan forgiveness automatic for veterans who are considered "totally and permanently disabled," so they'll no longer have to go through a burdensome process to have their debt canceled. politi.co/2Zk51u5

Other leading Democratic candidates, including Warren and Sanders, want a 'Medicare for All' system. Biden wants to build on the Affordable Care Act. Here's a look at what he's proposing: abcn.ws/2LbAKV6

Kamala Harris became the first 2020 presidential hopeful to unveil a platform focused on people with disabilities, touching on employment, education, health care and emergency preparedness. bit.ly/2lRLiQ9

A new bill would ban 24-hour shifts for NY home care workers, including consumer-directed personal assistants. Shifts would be capped at 12 hours. But it would require more workers per consumer, and Medicaid cost concerns have been raised. bit.ly/2ki6RJv

NPR reviews "About Us," a collection of essays on disability by writers with disabilities. n.pr/2lyYNnP

Rumi is an online service that matches people with disabilities and caregivers as roommates. This one is based in Minnesota, but it's an interesting concept. bit.ly/2kCyEnQ

Marca Bristo, one of the most influential disability rights advocates in the U.S., has died at 66. She was a key player in the passage of the ADA. nyti.ms/2lM8JKA

Disability rights groups have joined the lawsuit against the Trump administration's expansion of the public charge rule to include Medicaid, saying it discriminates against immigrants with disabilities. bit.ly/2lKFisw

The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies has issued a national call to action for government planners to address the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in the COVID-19 response. AIM has signed in support. bit.ly/2IjGKKB

Courtesy of NYC MOPD, here's a video in American Sign Language with basic information about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as tips on staying healthy: bit.ly/3cCLclv

Access to Home helps pay for home accessibility modifications for people with disabilities who are income-eligible.

Some important points by @AndrewPulrang - and some good links at the bottom. bit.ly/39DCku3

Outdoor dining is crucial to keeping restaurants open this summer. But restaurants and patrons need to be cognizant of the accessibility issues it can create. We've heard some concerns over this locally.

A Joe Biden presidency could mean the end of sheltered workshops and subminimum wages: bit.ly/3fKnKDf

‘A powerful shift’: Disability advocacy, once an afterthought in presidential races, gains new... statnews.com/2020/08/14/dis… via STAT

One solution could be more training on disability topics in medical school, researchers say. cnn.it/3cLqeDi

NY residents who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (not just those living in congregate settings) will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, Feb. 15. on.ny.gov/3jmu5Io

A good story on the kickoff of the campaign to pass the Fair Pay for Home Care Act, which would bring pay for home care workers to 150% of minimum wage. AIM has joined the coalition supporting this.

A state-run mass vaccination site will open soon at the gymnasium on the Corning Community College campus.