Consumer confidence unexpectedly rises in July

Consumer confidence rose unexpectedly in July despite the stalled economic recovery as long-term expectations for jobs improved, according to private research group's report on Tuesday.

The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index increased to 59.5 in July, from a revised 57.6 in June, an eight-month low. With a flurry of bad economic indicators in recent months, analysts expected to see a drop to 56 in July. A reading of 90 indicates a healthy economy, but that level hasn't been reached since before the recession started in December 2007.

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What the Americans with Disabilities Act Means to Me

As a young woman with Cerebral Palsy, I learned at a young age that if I let my disability stop me from reaching my goals, I would be promoting a common misconception that disability is equal to inability. So, when I was offered an internship at the White House working for Kareem Dale doing outreach this summer, I could not let the opportunity pass. I had no idea what my internship would entail, how I would manage my expenses, and most importantly, if this new city would be accessible, but when I got to Washington, what I saw inspired me.

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