President Obama recently nominated Judge Sotomayor to fill the vacancy left in the Supreme Court by Justice Kennedy's early retirement. Judge Sotomayor is a woman, a Latino, and a person with a disability. At age 8 she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. In his introduction of Sotomayor President Obama said, "It's my understanding that Judge Sotomayor's interest in the law was sparked as a young girl by reading the Nancy Drew series. And that when she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8, she was informed that people with diabetes can't grow up to be police officers or private investigators like Nancy Drew. In essence she was told she'd have to scale back her dreams." Instead, Obama said, her perseverance shows that "no dream is beyond reach in the United States of America."
There has been much debate about the place of personal experience in the life of a judge who must make decisions based on the law and not personal feelings. There is probably no greater example of how personal experience can be an asset and not a hindrance in forming legal opinion than in cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related cases. Preliminary research of Judge Sotomayor's vast case load shows that she has been thorough in her research and investigation of individual cases, both overturning jury decision and dissenting with other judges when those cases have shown a failure to follow the whole law because of lack of investigation of understanding of disabilities.
Jim Ward, founder and president of ADA Watch, said the following in a recent press release, "In picking Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama has upheld his commitment to choosing a nominee with a firm grasp on the law and the role of the judiciary and has responded to the hopes of those in the disability rights movement for Supreme Court Justices that understand disability rights and the intent of Congress in passing vital civil rights protections for people with disabilities. Legal research and analysis of Judge Sotomayor's opinions reveal a comprehensive understanding of the language and purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Rehabilitation Act, Social Security and more."
On July 13th, the US Senate will begin confirmation hearings on judge Sotomayor's nomination. For over a decade now the ADA has been under assault in the Supreme Court, the confirmation of Sotomayor will be a step in the right direction, finally the disability community will have a justice on the high court who truly understands disability issues from a life time of personal experience.
Use this link to read the analysis of Sotomayor's decisions in disability cases that have come before her.
You can also chack adawatch.com for more information. This post takes much of its information from these two sources.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
TV Depiction of Disability
A couple of weeks ago, the Fox Network broadcast the Pilot Episode of a new comedy called "Glee", about the underdog misfits of a midwest high school "glee club" and their struggle for respect in the brutal world of high school social life. One of the members of the glee club is a wheelchair user and another stutters. There are a few key scenes in which these disabilities are part of the humor. For most of the show, this was disturbing to me, but by the end, I was ready to at least be open minded. Will the show, which will start airing new episodes in the fall, do more with these disabled characters? Or, will they continue to be the one-dimensional butt of jokes at their expense? What do you think?
ADAPT Letter to President Obama
The following is the final draft of a letter from ADAPT to President Obama, on the subject of the Olmstead decision and the importance of home care and community-based services:
----------
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
June 22, 2009 is the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision. Disability and aging organizations all over the country will be recognizing this civil rights decision.
The Olmstead decision, based on the integration mandate in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) declared, “unnecessary institutionalization amounts to segregation and is a violation of individual civil rights under the ADA.” This case promised to be the national mandate not only to free tens of thousands of people with disabilities and older Americans from unnecessary and unjust institutionalization but also to avoid this type of institutionalization in the future.
The ADAPT Community has heard little from your Administration on how it will implement and enforce the Olmstead decision. Under the previous Administration the implementation and oversight by the federal government had been sporadic and generally ineffective.
The ADAPT Community believes that only with aggressive oversight and the development of accountability measures on how states are to implement the Olmstead decision, will people with disabilities and older Americans be able to stay or transition out of nursing homes and other institutions.
Below are recommendations The ADAPT Community’s are making to your Administration for stronger Olmstead implementation and enforcement. We would appreciate a response to these recommendations by June 15, 2009:
I. President Obama should issue an Executive Order for an Intra-
agency review as well as Inter-agency cooperation on policy
changes that will implement and enforce the Olmstead decision
with benchmarks and timetables for accountability.
HHS should be the lead agency.
President Bush issued an Executive Order
soon after taking office to coordinate the federal governments
response to the Olmstead decision. Though initially producing
some policy modifications, the overall results have been
disappointing. President Obama should use the current Executive
Order as a model but give it more authority for real changes.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010619.html
II. President Obama should direct the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to develop policies and accountability
measures for how states must implement the Olmstead decision.
III. President Obama should direct the HHS/Office of Civil Rights
(OCR) to be given more authority to make states more
accountable for implementing the Olmstead
decision with referrals to the Department of Justice for legal
action when necessary. HHS/OCR should accept and review
individual as well as systemic complaints against a state.
Possible withholding of Medicaid payments to states for non-
compliance should be made clear to all Governors and Medicaid
Directors. Results of all state reviews should be made public on
the HHS website.
IV. President Obama should direct the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) to develop policies and programs that
will facilitate the transition of people from nursing homes and
other institutions to integrated community living.
ADAPT’s “Access Across America” should be looked at as one
program to implement.
V. President Obama should direct HHS to work with the National
Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislators
(NCSL) and advocacy stakeholders on Olmstead implementation
best practices as well as the expectations of the his
Administration for reforming the current institutionally
biased long term care system.
VI. The Domestic Policy Council in coordination with the Secretary of
HHS should convene quarterly meetings of The ADAPT
Community and other aging and disability advocate organizations
to: 1) get recommendations on policy changes that would get and
keep people out of nursing homes and other institutions;
2) report on Administration’s progress in implementing the
Olmstead decision.
Reform of the institutionally biased long term care system ultimately will require addressing the Medicaid entitlement that is currently only to nursing homes services. That is why the Community Choice Act (CCA) should be included in your comprehensive reform of the health care system. The anniversary of the Olmstead decision provides a timely opportunity for you to express your support for this legislation and the principle that people with disabilities and older Americans have a civil right to live in the most integrated setting.
Including CCA in health care reform and aggressive Olmstead implementation and enforcement will assure that the growing number of people with disabilities and older Americans will have a real choice to live and receive services and supports in the community. We hope to work with you to this end.
Looking forward to your positive response by June 15, 2009.
For an Institution Free America,
The ADAPT Community
1640A East 2nd Street
Austin, Texas 78702
adapt@adapt.org
www.adapt.org
512-442-0252
----------
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
June 22, 2009 is the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision. Disability and aging organizations all over the country will be recognizing this civil rights decision.
The Olmstead decision, based on the integration mandate in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) declared, “unnecessary institutionalization amounts to segregation and is a violation of individual civil rights under the ADA.” This case promised to be the national mandate not only to free tens of thousands of people with disabilities and older Americans from unnecessary and unjust institutionalization but also to avoid this type of institutionalization in the future.
The ADAPT Community has heard little from your Administration on how it will implement and enforce the Olmstead decision. Under the previous Administration the implementation and oversight by the federal government had been sporadic and generally ineffective.
The ADAPT Community believes that only with aggressive oversight and the development of accountability measures on how states are to implement the Olmstead decision, will people with disabilities and older Americans be able to stay or transition out of nursing homes and other institutions.
Below are recommendations The ADAPT Community’s are making to your Administration for stronger Olmstead implementation and enforcement. We would appreciate a response to these recommendations by June 15, 2009:
I. President Obama should issue an Executive Order for an Intra-
agency review as well as Inter-agency cooperation on policy
changes that will implement and enforce the Olmstead decision
with benchmarks and timetables for accountability.
HHS should be the lead agency.
President Bush issued an Executive Order
soon after taking office to coordinate the federal governments
response to the Olmstead decision. Though initially producing
some policy modifications, the overall results have been
disappointing. President Obama should use the current Executive
Order as a model but give it more authority for real changes.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010619.html
II. President Obama should direct the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to develop policies and accountability
measures for how states must implement the Olmstead decision.
III. President Obama should direct the HHS/Office of Civil Rights
(OCR) to be given more authority to make states more
accountable for implementing the Olmstead
decision with referrals to the Department of Justice for legal
action when necessary. HHS/OCR should accept and review
individual as well as systemic complaints against a state.
Possible withholding of Medicaid payments to states for non-
compliance should be made clear to all Governors and Medicaid
Directors. Results of all state reviews should be made public on
the HHS website.
IV. President Obama should direct the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) to develop policies and programs that
will facilitate the transition of people from nursing homes and
other institutions to integrated community living.
ADAPT’s “Access Across America” should be looked at as one
program to implement.
V. President Obama should direct HHS to work with the National
Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislators
(NCSL) and advocacy stakeholders on Olmstead implementation
best practices as well as the expectations of the his
Administration for reforming the current institutionally
biased long term care system.
VI. The Domestic Policy Council in coordination with the Secretary of
HHS should convene quarterly meetings of The ADAPT
Community and other aging and disability advocate organizations
to: 1) get recommendations on policy changes that would get and
keep people out of nursing homes and other institutions;
2) report on Administration’s progress in implementing the
Olmstead decision.
Reform of the institutionally biased long term care system ultimately will require addressing the Medicaid entitlement that is currently only to nursing homes services. That is why the Community Choice Act (CCA) should be included in your comprehensive reform of the health care system. The anniversary of the Olmstead decision provides a timely opportunity for you to express your support for this legislation and the principle that people with disabilities and older Americans have a civil right to live in the most integrated setting.
Including CCA in health care reform and aggressive Olmstead implementation and enforcement will assure that the growing number of people with disabilities and older Americans will have a real choice to live and receive services and supports in the community. We hope to work with you to this end.
Looking forward to your positive response by June 15, 2009.
For an Institution Free America,
The ADAPT Community
1640A East 2nd Street
Austin, Texas 78702
adapt@adapt.org
www.adapt.org
512-442-0252
Monday, May 18, 2009
Disability Perspectives on Health Care Reform
All indications suggest that we are about to see a big push for major changes in how health care is paid for and delivered in this country. "Health Care" is an extremely broad topic, and the pressure from all sides to compromise and pare down proposals will be great. So, it is probably important that we think about what people with disabilities need to see in whatever new health care policies are developed. Several national disability organizations have written a letter to Senator Edward Kennedy and Senator Michael Enzi, who will be instrumental in the coming health care debate. The letter begins by citing the many ways in which people with disabilities are inadequately served by the present system, then cites principles for reform, with my comments added in boldface in parentheses:
--------------
"Heath care reform must end these health disparities by ensuring:
Access to affordable coverage for Americans with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, without regard to pre-existing conditions, congenital impairments, or whether the intervention is habilitative or rehabilitative in nature;
(The last phrase is key, because "habilitative" care includes home care for daily living, not just temporary "rehabilitative" care until someone "gets better")
Access to quality care by health care providers trained to treat individuals with disabilities, including intellectual and other disabilities;
(This doesn't mean specialists. It means that all medical personnel should be trained how to deal properly with patients who have disabilities)
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the definitions of "medically underserved populations" and "cultural competence;"
(Again, this is referring to the idea that as a group, we are always at risk of being treated less well than others, and of being misunderstood in our communication with medical professionals. The medical system needs to recognize this formally so it can address the problem)
A delivery system prepared to provide appropriate, accessible, and equivalent care for individuals with disabilities at all levels of service;
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all data collection and reporting required for racial, ethnic, gender, or geographic health disparities, in a manner that can facilitate identification and reduction of disparities associated with physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities;
Equal treatment of the population of individuals with disabilities in all policies, programs, and research designed to decrease health disparities.
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in prevention and wellness program;
A healthcare workforce trained to address the needs of individuals with disabilities, including physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities;
Development of specific quality measures to improve primary and preventative care for individuals with disabilities;
Development and strengthening of the "medical home" to meet the healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities;
Health information technology systems that collect aggregate specific data about physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities while maintaining individual privacy; and
Inclusion of "disabilities" and "sign language interpreters" in the Office of Minority Health's National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
(It is important to collect data on how people with different disabilities are treated. If blind people, for instance, are receiving substandard care, it may only show up in "outcome data" collected and organized by disability. If you don't collect the data, you can't identify the problem)
As the population ages, disabilities will affect even more Americans. This is the right time and healthcare reform is the right place to correct disability-based health disparities so that healthcare reform is for all Americans. Thank you."
Special Olympics
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Autistic Self -Advocacy Network
American Association of Persons with Disabilities
National Council on Independent Living
--------------
What changes would you like to see in health care? Post your comments!
--------------
"Heath care reform must end these health disparities by ensuring:
Access to affordable coverage for Americans with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, without regard to pre-existing conditions, congenital impairments, or whether the intervention is habilitative or rehabilitative in nature;
(The last phrase is key, because "habilitative" care includes home care for daily living, not just temporary "rehabilitative" care until someone "gets better")
Access to quality care by health care providers trained to treat individuals with disabilities, including intellectual and other disabilities;
(This doesn't mean specialists. It means that all medical personnel should be trained how to deal properly with patients who have disabilities)
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the definitions of "medically underserved populations" and "cultural competence;"
(Again, this is referring to the idea that as a group, we are always at risk of being treated less well than others, and of being misunderstood in our communication with medical professionals. The medical system needs to recognize this formally so it can address the problem)
A delivery system prepared to provide appropriate, accessible, and equivalent care for individuals with disabilities at all levels of service;
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all data collection and reporting required for racial, ethnic, gender, or geographic health disparities, in a manner that can facilitate identification and reduction of disparities associated with physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities;
Equal treatment of the population of individuals with disabilities in all policies, programs, and research designed to decrease health disparities.
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities in prevention and wellness program;
A healthcare workforce trained to address the needs of individuals with disabilities, including physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities;
Development of specific quality measures to improve primary and preventative care for individuals with disabilities;
Development and strengthening of the "medical home" to meet the healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities;
Health information technology systems that collect aggregate specific data about physical, mental health, cognitive, sensory, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities while maintaining individual privacy; and
Inclusion of "disabilities" and "sign language interpreters" in the Office of Minority Health's National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
(It is important to collect data on how people with different disabilities are treated. If blind people, for instance, are receiving substandard care, it may only show up in "outcome data" collected and organized by disability. If you don't collect the data, you can't identify the problem)
As the population ages, disabilities will affect even more Americans. This is the right time and healthcare reform is the right place to correct disability-based health disparities so that healthcare reform is for all Americans. Thank you."
Special Olympics
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Autistic Self -Advocacy Network
American Association of Persons with Disabilities
National Council on Independent Living
--------------
What changes would you like to see in health care? Post your comments!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Victories in the State Budget
Great news from Lindsay Miller, Systems Advocacy Coordinator for the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) in Albany, great work with the advocacy everyone!
The 2009-10 New York State Budget contains a number of victories for our network, most of which would not have been possible without the ongoing advocacy efforts of all of you. Listed below are some budget highlights of particular interest to ILCs and people with disabilities. We will keep you up-to-date as further budget analyses are done and as we track movement of additional legislation on the Disability Priority Agenda. Many thanks to all of you for your dedication and hard work fighting for the rights of people with disabilities year round.
· ILC Funding remains level for 2009-2010 at the 2008-2009 level of $12,361,000. We were successful in avoiding cuts in the proposed 2009-10 Executive Budget and the Legislature approved the ILC appropriation as proposed.
· Restoration of SSI cuts - Thanks in large part to your endless calls, faxes, letters and emails; the Governor and Legislature have restored funding for the state share of SSI for people with disabilities.
· CDPAP – The budget includes $500,000 for expanding participation in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, including contracts with peer based programs to assist those eligible, provide education and outreach, as well as training for discharge planners, LDSS and others. In addition, the CDPAP statute will be amended to include county enrollment targets for CDPAP and annual implementation plans to DOH by counties that promote consistency regarding approved service levels across the state. These requirements will broaden access to the CDPAP program throughout the state.
· Regional Long Term Care Assessment Centers – there will be a three year demonstration program established with two long term care assessment centers, one in a county within NYC and the second in another region consisting of one or more contiguous counties elsewhere in the state. The intent of the established centers will be to consolidate and standardize the assessment and authorization process for home and personal care services, allowing the state to better manage Medicaid resources, including due process provisions and consumer oversight, ensuring that individuals receive the services they need to stay in the community. The commissioner of health will be responsible for submitting bi-annual reports on the centers to the Governor and State Leaders which will include an assessment of the project, an analysis of the level and costs of the services and recipient satisfaction.
· The Cash and Counseling Demonstration proposed in the Governor’s Budget has been rejected.
· Cuts to home care and personal care rates were restored; however the 2008 and 2009 trend factors have been eliminated and an assessment will be collected of 0.35% on home care provider revenues effective March 1, 2009.
· An appropriation of $2,303,000 was made available for housing subsidies to participants in the Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion (NFTD) waiver.
· No premium increases for Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities
· Elimination of barriers to general Medicaid application such as the asset test, finger printing and face-to-face interview requirements.
· Pharmaceutical Reforms - Efforts to preserve Medicaid pharmacy benefits for people with psychiatric disabilities were successful in that the proposal to expand the Preferred Drug List to include antidepressants was rejected. Proposals to eliminate EPIC Part D wrap and Medicaid wrap around coverage for dual eligible with Part D were also rejected. However, limits on frequency, amount and duration of prescriptions in Medicaid, as well as the creation of a step-therapy approach for prior authorization were approved.
· The proposal to weaken and delay NY’s SHU Law, the law to end solitary confinement of state prisoners with psychiatric disabilities, was rejected.
The 2009-10 New York State Budget contains a number of victories for our network, most of which would not have been possible without the ongoing advocacy efforts of all of you. Listed below are some budget highlights of particular interest to ILCs and people with disabilities. We will keep you up-to-date as further budget analyses are done and as we track movement of additional legislation on the Disability Priority Agenda. Many thanks to all of you for your dedication and hard work fighting for the rights of people with disabilities year round.
· ILC Funding remains level for 2009-2010 at the 2008-2009 level of $12,361,000. We were successful in avoiding cuts in the proposed 2009-10 Executive Budget and the Legislature approved the ILC appropriation as proposed.
· Restoration of SSI cuts - Thanks in large part to your endless calls, faxes, letters and emails; the Governor and Legislature have restored funding for the state share of SSI for people with disabilities.
· CDPAP – The budget includes $500,000 for expanding participation in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, including contracts with peer based programs to assist those eligible, provide education and outreach, as well as training for discharge planners, LDSS and others. In addition, the CDPAP statute will be amended to include county enrollment targets for CDPAP and annual implementation plans to DOH by counties that promote consistency regarding approved service levels across the state. These requirements will broaden access to the CDPAP program throughout the state.
· Regional Long Term Care Assessment Centers – there will be a three year demonstration program established with two long term care assessment centers, one in a county within NYC and the second in another region consisting of one or more contiguous counties elsewhere in the state. The intent of the established centers will be to consolidate and standardize the assessment and authorization process for home and personal care services, allowing the state to better manage Medicaid resources, including due process provisions and consumer oversight, ensuring that individuals receive the services they need to stay in the community. The commissioner of health will be responsible for submitting bi-annual reports on the centers to the Governor and State Leaders which will include an assessment of the project, an analysis of the level and costs of the services and recipient satisfaction.
· The Cash and Counseling Demonstration proposed in the Governor’s Budget has been rejected.
· Cuts to home care and personal care rates were restored; however the 2008 and 2009 trend factors have been eliminated and an assessment will be collected of 0.35% on home care provider revenues effective March 1, 2009.
· An appropriation of $2,303,000 was made available for housing subsidies to participants in the Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion (NFTD) waiver.
· No premium increases for Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities
· Elimination of barriers to general Medicaid application such as the asset test, finger printing and face-to-face interview requirements.
· Pharmaceutical Reforms - Efforts to preserve Medicaid pharmacy benefits for people with psychiatric disabilities were successful in that the proposal to expand the Preferred Drug List to include antidepressants was rejected. Proposals to eliminate EPIC Part D wrap and Medicaid wrap around coverage for dual eligible with Part D were also rejected. However, limits on frequency, amount and duration of prescriptions in Medicaid, as well as the creation of a step-therapy approach for prior authorization were approved.
· The proposal to weaken and delay NY’s SHU Law, the law to end solitary confinement of state prisoners with psychiatric disabilities, was rejected.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Action Alert: Healthcare Reform and the Community Choice Act
Healthcare reform is a major priority of the Obama administration this year and the disability community MUST make its voice heard, please take the following actions.
Action:
1. Use the link below to send a fax e-mail to your Congressperson urging them to sponsor The Community Choice Act. (You can learn more information about the Community Choice Act below in the Background section).
Click here to send a message to your Congressperson.
2. Call Senator Schumer (202) 224-6542 and Senator Gillibrand (202) 224-4451 and urge them to support them to make sure that the Community Choice Act be included in any healthcare reform bill.
You can click here to send an e-mail message to Senator Schumer if you prefer it over making a phone call.
Background:
Click here to learn more about the Community Choice Act.
Action:
1. Use the link below to send a fax e-mail to your Congressperson urging them to sponsor The Community Choice Act. (You can learn more information about the Community Choice Act below in the Background section).
Click here to send a message to your Congressperson.
2. Call Senator Schumer (202) 224-6542 and Senator Gillibrand (202) 224-4451 and urge them to support them to make sure that the Community Choice Act be included in any healthcare reform bill.
You can click here to send an e-mail message to Senator Schumer if you prefer it over making a phone call.
Background:
Click here to learn more about the Community Choice Act.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Independent Living funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Late Friday afternoon, 2/13/09, we received this announcement from the National Council on Independent Living:
Background: Centers for Independent Living have advocated for increased funding for years. The stimulus bill has been passed by both Houses and sent to Conference Committee to hammer out the differences. The House bill had recommended $200 million for Independent Living and the Senate recommended $110 million.
The Conference Committees just released the report and Independent Living is slated to receive $140 million! Our advocacy efforts have paid off and increased funding will be available soon.
NCIL is working with Members of Congress and the Rehabilitation Administration Services for Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils to ensure the funding is distributed according to Congressional intent.
The Text of the Conference report is available at: http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_legtext_cr.pdf
Vocational Rehabilitation will get $540 million, Part C $87,500, Part B $18,200 and Chapter 2 $34,300. Our program is on page 172 and 173 in the PDF.
View the Joint Explanatory Statement on page 65 of the following:
http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_cr_jes.pdf
REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH
“For an additional amount for "Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research" for providing grants to States to carry out the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program under part B of title I and parts B and C of chapter 1 and chapter 2 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, $680,000,000: Provided, That $540,000,000 shall be available for part B of title I of the Rehabilitation Act: Provided further, That funds provided herein shall not be considered in determining the amount required to be appropriated under section 100(b)(l) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in any fiscal year: Provided further, That, not withstanding Section 7(14)(A), the Federal share of the costs of vocational rehabilitation services provided with the funds provided herein shall be 100 percent: Provided further, That $140,000,000 shall be available for parts B and C of chapter 1 and chapter 2 of title VIl of the Rehabilitation Act: Provided further, That $18,200,000 shall be for State Grants, $87,500,000 shall be for independent living centers, and $34,300,000 shall be for services for older blind individuals.”
For more information: Contact NCIL Policy Analyst Elizabeth Leef by email, Elizabeth@ncil.org, phone: (202) 207-0334, ext 1015 or fax: (202) 207-0341.
Background: Centers for Independent Living have advocated for increased funding for years. The stimulus bill has been passed by both Houses and sent to Conference Committee to hammer out the differences. The House bill had recommended $200 million for Independent Living and the Senate recommended $110 million.
The Conference Committees just released the report and Independent Living is slated to receive $140 million! Our advocacy efforts have paid off and increased funding will be available soon.
NCIL is working with Members of Congress and the Rehabilitation Administration Services for Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils to ensure the funding is distributed according to Congressional intent.
The Text of the Conference report is available at: http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_legtext_cr.pdf
Vocational Rehabilitation will get $540 million, Part C $87,500, Part B $18,200 and Chapter 2 $34,300. Our program is on page 172 and 173 in the PDF.
View the Joint Explanatory Statement on page 65 of the following:
http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_cr_jes.pdf
REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH
“For an additional amount for "Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research" for providing grants to States to carry out the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program under part B of title I and parts B and C of chapter 1 and chapter 2 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, $680,000,000: Provided, That $540,000,000 shall be available for part B of title I of the Rehabilitation Act: Provided further, That funds provided herein shall not be considered in determining the amount required to be appropriated under section 100(b)(l) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in any fiscal year: Provided further, That, not withstanding Section 7(14)(A), the Federal share of the costs of vocational rehabilitation services provided with the funds provided herein shall be 100 percent: Provided further, That $140,000,000 shall be available for parts B and C of chapter 1 and chapter 2 of title VIl of the Rehabilitation Act: Provided further, That $18,200,000 shall be for State Grants, $87,500,000 shall be for independent living centers, and $34,300,000 shall be for services for older blind individuals.”
For more information: Contact NCIL Policy Analyst Elizabeth Leef by email, Elizabeth@ncil.org, phone: (202) 207-0334, ext 1015 or fax: (202) 207-0341.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Action Alert Update: One more step for Independent Living Stimulus Funding
Act Now: Ask Congress to keep Independent Living in the Stimulus Bill!
Update: The Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this afternoon by a 61-37 vote. The conferees are Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Harry Reid (D-NV), Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Thad Cochran (D-MS). Likely conferees in the House will be David Obey (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA), James Oberstar (D-MN), and John Spratt (D-SC). House Republican conferees will be announced shortly.
We need to keep the pressure on both the House & Senate Conferees to keep funding for Independent Living, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation!
Act Now: Persuade your Senators and Representatives to keep IL funding in the stimulus bill. The funding is listed under “Rehabilitation and Disability Research,” but is not research related. Tell them your Center will use the funds to hire critically needed employees to help people with disabilities gain employment opportunities.
Targets: The conferees listed above.
You must communicate the following to your Senators and Representatives in order to secure this funding:
It is critical to keep funding in the bill for Independent Living, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation. CILs need employees. They can make immediate hires. Centers work with people with disabilities to help them become employed, and provide the support needed so that people are job ready and can find good jobs that are sustainable. Funding coupled for all programs will have a huge impact on all people with disabilities across the country.
Centers help people to remain independent in their own homes and communities, and help prevent people from being institutionalized. Centers help ease the financial burden that states have to bear on institutional expenses by keeping people OUT of institutions.
Ask them to keep the funding for the Independent Living Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Ask for the legislative aide handling the Economic Recovery package and tell them about your state and the services CILs provide.
Both the House and Senate are currently in conference to reconcile the differences between the two bills. Call the Conference Committee today and stress the importance of Independent Living!
For more information: Contact NCIL Policy Analyst Elizabeth Leef by email, Elizabeth@ncil.org, phone: (202) 207-0334, ext 1015 or fax: (202) 207-0341.
Update: The Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this afternoon by a 61-37 vote. The conferees are Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Harry Reid (D-NV), Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Thad Cochran (D-MS). Likely conferees in the House will be David Obey (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA), James Oberstar (D-MN), and John Spratt (D-SC). House Republican conferees will be announced shortly.
We need to keep the pressure on both the House & Senate Conferees to keep funding for Independent Living, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation!
Act Now: Persuade your Senators and Representatives to keep IL funding in the stimulus bill. The funding is listed under “Rehabilitation and Disability Research,” but is not research related. Tell them your Center will use the funds to hire critically needed employees to help people with disabilities gain employment opportunities.
Targets: The conferees listed above.
You must communicate the following to your Senators and Representatives in order to secure this funding:
It is critical to keep funding in the bill for Independent Living, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation. CILs need employees. They can make immediate hires. Centers work with people with disabilities to help them become employed, and provide the support needed so that people are job ready and can find good jobs that are sustainable. Funding coupled for all programs will have a huge impact on all people with disabilities across the country.
Centers help people to remain independent in their own homes and communities, and help prevent people from being institutionalized. Centers help ease the financial burden that states have to bear on institutional expenses by keeping people OUT of institutions.
Ask them to keep the funding for the Independent Living Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Ask for the legislative aide handling the Economic Recovery package and tell them about your state and the services CILs provide.
Both the House and Senate are currently in conference to reconcile the differences between the two bills. Call the Conference Committee today and stress the importance of Independent Living!
For more information: Contact NCIL Policy Analyst Elizabeth Leef by email, Elizabeth@ncil.org, phone: (202) 207-0334, ext 1015 or fax: (202) 207-0341.
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