Today’s White House Conference Call dealt with the President’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 and how it applies to programs for people with disabilities. The call was led by Kareem Dale, Special Advisor to the President on Disability Policy. During the call, Mr. Dale highlighted many of the programs that will continue to receive funding throughout the proposed budget. This includes the $107 million provided for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.  These funds will help NIDRR to continue to support a cloud computing initiative that uses the internet infrastructure to improve technology access for everyone who faces technology access barriers. Mr. Dales also highlighted the $150 million earmarked for the Housing for PErsons with Disabilities Program.  The budget also allocates funds for expanded passenger rail options, the improvement of the effectiveness of disability programs, the reduction of the backlog in Social Security Appeals Hearings, strengthens anti-discrimination enforcement, supports workers with disabilities (by providing @24 million to the Department of Labor for the Disability Employment Initiative), and encourages workforce innovation to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. To learn more and to see more details, please visit the Office of Management and Budget’s website. They have a page dedicated to the proposed budget and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities.