When the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed 25 years ago, many people may have assumed that the law was written only to protect the rights of people with physical disabilities. But that’s never been the case, said Cindy Held Tarshish, ADA Minnesota program manager for the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.  Read more.

When it comes to treating chronic conditions, diabetes drugs aren’t nearly as sexy as say, Sovaldi, last year’s breakthrough hepatitis C drug that offers a cure for the chronic liver infection at a price approaching six figures.

Yet an estimated 29 million people have diabetes — about 10 times the number of people with hepatitis C — and many of them will take diabetes drugs for the rest of their lives. Cost increases for both old and new drugs alike are forcing many consumers to scramble to pay for them. Read more.

Philosophically, Republicans in the California Legislature are correct in their view of the state’s failure to properly fund developmental services in the 2015-16 budget.

It was a cynical move by Gov. Jerry Brown and the majority Democrats in the Legislature to leave that funding flat, even though there was ample revenue to give developmental services the immediate 10 percent funding boost that is desperately needed after years of budgetary neglect. Instead, Democrats allocated money to their major supporters and causes, and stiffed those with developmental disabilities — kicking the problem into a special session of the Legislature. Read more.

Matt Mokski takes his golf stance in front of the ball. “Strong legs. Soft hands. Aim for the target,” he says to himself. Lots of athletes talk to themselves, but in Mokski’s case, the repetitive exercise is more important than just self-encouragement.

The developmentally delayed 14-year-old, headed into eighth grade at Kenilworth Junior High School, has to work a little harder than most young athletes to stay focused and make his body perform well. Despite his difficulties communicating and processing information, Mokski has become an accomplished young golfer. Read more.

An increasing number of Americans with disabilities are job hunting, new government data suggests. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities ticked up last month to 10.4 percent, a rise over the 9.3 percent jobless rate reported the month prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities ticked up last month to 10.4 percent*, a rise over the 9.3 percent jobless rate reported the month prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. Read more.

*Internal Regional Center data suggests unemployment rates for individuals with developmental disabilities in CA are at 85%

Like most state recreation areas, Nevada County’s South Yuba River Park has plenty of trails to hike on. Unlike most others, though, it also has a path to roll on. About half of the gently sloped, 2.5-mile Independence Trail on the west side of Highway 49 has been renovated for wheelchairs, part of a statewide move to open up rivers, parks and other outdoor spaces to easier use by people with disabilities.  Read more.

One way to fight health disparities and obesity may be to turn off the TV. Food companies disproportionately target television advertising for unhealthy products like candy and sugary drinks to Latino and African American youth, new research shows. Read more.