Office on Disability

New Editions provided logistics and management support to assist the Office on Disability (OD) in implementing the Call to Action Strategic Plan. We planned and conducted important events, including a conference with major healthcare provider organizations to identify best practices in disability awareness training for physicians and nurses, as well as a forum with employers to identify best practices in providing access to healthcare services for employees with disabilities.

The Center of Excellence on Disability Research (CEDR) conducts research to identify and evaluate effective services, supports and models of coordinated care and/or integrated care for persons with disabilities. CEDR is also organizing a national conference in March 2013 to share the results of these studies-along with those of other researchers-and discuss strategies for providing effective services and care models to all people with disabilities.

New Editions supported the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS’s) New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Working Group, which was led by the HHS Office on Disability (OD). The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) worked through the NFI Working Group on a project to analyze and promote the Medical Home Model for children with special health care needs and all individuals with disabilities.

New Editions provided training and technical assistance on Section 508 and the Secretary’s Section 508 Implementation Policy to designated individuals in the HHS agency and the Office of the Secretary. Section 508 requires procured, developed, maintained or used electronic and information technology (EIT) to be accessible to its employees and customers with disabilities. New Editions staff members worked directly with Section 508 Officials and Coordinators at each agency to ensure their understanding of the legal, technical and policy framework of Section 508 at HHS.