By Stephen Pate, NJN Network,
Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, January 22, 2009
Second round stimulus introduced by Democrats in the US Congress includes almost $20 billion in aid for Americans with disabilities. President Barack Obama set out a pre-election agenda on disability issues that should provide some pretty quick relief to Americans with disabilities. The official Obama and Biden site lists three priorities, along with enforcement of the 1,100 page ADA Amendments passed last fall by President Bush, including:
1. Educational opportunities to Americans with disabilities
2. End workplace discrimination and promote equal opportunity
3. Support independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities
Obama is getting busy right away with his agenda priorities. He’s not sitting back like Premier Robert Ghiz of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Disability Scoop reports that “The second economic stimulus package proposal released Thursday by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives includes a one-time stimulus payment to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients amid several proposals to fund programs benefiting Americans with disabilities.” Among the benefits are “The nation’s 7.5 million SSI recipients would qualify for a one-time stimulus payment of about $450 for individuals or $630 for married couples in a $4.2 billion portion of the package.” Obama is expected to receive the package in mid-February. On PEI, Islanders with disabilities been waiting 20 months with no relief in sight while the Premier spends $500 million in patronage.
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