1) What’s Happening in the Nation’s Capital?
Community Now! Day of Advocacy
Healthcare Reform Update
2) National News
President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NCIL Joins Campaign to End Support for Autism Speaks and So Can You
Sears, Roebuck to Pay Largest ADA Settlement Ever for Employment Discrimination
3) State News
Michigan Conference to Focus on Issues Facing Veterans with Disabilities
TRCIL and Activist Madonna Long Produce Fashion Show to Empower Women with Disabilities
Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Mocked by Prominent Supporter of Opposition Candidate
4) Announcements and Additional Resources
NCIL Presents at Department of Labor Listening Session
Breaking Barriers to Equality Town Forum This Saturday
Swine Flu Vaccine Available This Week for People with Disabilities, Seniors
Community Now! Day of Advocacy
On Wednesday, September 30th, the aging and disability communities joined forces to promote the “Community Now! Day of Advocacy”. This day of advocacy was planned quickly due to breaking news from Capitol Hill that the two Senate Committees with jurisdiction were going to begin merging their versions of healthcare reform legislation by week’s end. Advocates gathered in Washington to announce that now is the time to ensure that two key priorities for people with disabilities are part of the final Senate legislation.
In July, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed its version of the legislation, which included the CLASS Act. The CLASS Act is one of NCIL’s two biggest priorities for reform. Then, the week before last, the Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus (D-MT), introduced a bill for debate that included another big priority for NCIL, the Community First Choice Option, language created as a compromise on the Community Choice Act, which NCIL continues to support.
As the two Committees merge their bills, sections will be removed and new ones added. NCIL knows that despite strong support for the Community First Choice Option and the CLASS Act, if people from across country don’t let their Senators know why they need to stay, it will be much easier for Senators to remove them.
The Day of Advocacy was a two-part effort, which included a briefing on Capitol Hill and visits to Senate offices, as well as a national call-in effort. NCIL Policy Analyst Jason Beloungy attended the events on Capitol Hill. In the Dirksen Senate Office Building, over 50 advocates from the aging and disability communities gathered to hear details about the Community First Choice Option and the CLASS Act. Mike Oxford of Topeka Independent Living Resource Center and Lee Perselay, from Senator Harkin’s office, spoke about the details and the importance of the CFC Option. Connie Garner, former staff to Senator Ted Kennedy and current staff to Senator Tom Harkin, and a representative from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) both spoke about the CLASS Act.
After the presentation and a question and answer period, advocates broke into groups to visit all 100 Senate offices. Jason Beloungy, joined by two staff from the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia and a staff member from the ARC/UCP visited 17 Senate offices to drop off materials about the CFC Option and the CLASS Act.
The national call-in effort was another integral part of the Day of Advocacy. NCIL sent out information about the call-in to members last week, and continues to urge NCIL members to call both of their US Senators. The toll-free number to the Capitol Switchboard is: 1-800-828-0498. When that line expires, you can reach your senators at: (202) 224-3121.
Healthcare Reform Update
At 2:00 a.m. Friday morning the Senate Finance Committee completed mark-up of their version of healthcare reform legislation. This was an historical moment at which the healthcare reform process moved further than it has since Harry Truman was President. The Committee did not take a final vote to pass the legislation, opting to wait until (likely) this week. The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus (D-MT), indicated that he wanted to wait for the final cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which is expected to have an estimate this week. If the Committee approves the legislation, all Congressional Committees with jurisdiction will have passed versions out of Committee.
There are currently three versions in the House of Representatives and two versions in the Senate. The House has been working behind closed doors to create one version to vote on in the full chamber. The Progressive Caucus, a group of more liberal House Democrats, has been adamant that they will only support reform if it includes a new public healthcare insurance program, known as the “Public Option”. However, the “Blue Dog” Caucus, a group of more conservative Democrats has been raising concerns about cost and insisting on changes to Medicare reimbursements to improve access to services in rural areas. Both of these Caucuses have significant clout over what ends up in the bill, so the House leadership will need to find compromises that most Democrats can support. There has been little or no Republican support for the legislation.
In the Senate, inter-party conflicts have led many to believe that the bill that passes the Senate will cost less than the House version and have no “Public Option”. There are 58 Democrats and 2 Independents who tend to vote with and support the Democrats. All 60 votes would be needed if Republican Senators decide to filibuster the legislation on the floor of the Senate. The Senators merging the two bills will need to account for all 60 Senator’s concerns in order to avoid a filibuster.
The Speaker of the House and the House Majority Leader feel confident that they will have a bill on the floor and voted on by the end of this month. The Senate leadership is expecting to start debating the bill in the full Senate in 2-3 weeks, and hopes to have a bill passed in the Senate 2 weeks later. After the House and Senate pass separate bills, they will need to be merged in order for a final bill to be voted on by both chambers.
What this means for NCIL priorities: There are still opportunities for concerns to be addressed, and an effort will be needed to maintain what we’ve been able to include so far. NCIL will continue to let members know when their efforts are needed to keep what we support in the bill, change provisions that are bad, and demand additions to the legislation that are sorely needed.
For additional information about NCIL’s priorities, or the healthcare reform process, contact NCIL Policy Analyst, Jason Beloungy, at 202-207-0334 (toll-free: 1-877-525-0341), ext. 1008.
President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Source: The White House
President Obama [yesterday] announced that his Administration is taking several steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement comes during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“My Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation,” said President Obama. “Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed. As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. We must also rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. That’s why I’ve asked the responsible agencies to develop new plans and policies to help increase employment across America for people with disabilities.” Read The Action Steps.
NCIL Joins Campaign to End Support for Autism Speaks and So Can You
NCIL has joined a multitude of organizations calling on Autism Speaks to end its use of fear, stigma, misinformation and prejudice against people with disabilities as a fundraising tool. Your organization can sign on to the following letter as well, but the deadline is today, so you must act quickly if you wish to join the campaign.
- To sign on (organizations only at this time): e-mail info@autisticadvocacy.org before Close of Business Tuesday, October 6th, 2009.
- To join ASAN's upcoming protests of Autism Speaks in Ohio, New England, New York City and elsewhere across the country e-mail info@autisticadvocacy.org.
To the Sponsors, Donors and Supporters of Autism Speaks:
We, the undersigned organizations representing self advocates, parents, professionals and allies in the Autism, Autistic and Disability Communities, are writing to you to express our concern about the recent actions of Autism Speaks. Our work is about helping empower and support people with disabilities of all kinds, including adults and youth on the autism spectrum, and we recognize that there are a wide variety of means towards accomplishing this goal. Yet, Autism Speaks’ recent choice to use fear, stigma, misinformation and prejudice against Autistic people as a fundraising tool does real damage to people with disabilities everywhere. The most recent example of this lack of ethics can be found in Autism Speaks’ new “I am Autism” campaign which states, “I am autism...I know where you live...I work faster than pediatric AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined. And if you're happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails. Your money will fall into my hands and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain...I will make it virtually impossible for your family to easily attend a temple, birthday party, or public park without a struggle, without embarrassment, without pain...I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. I derive great pleasure out of your loneliness."
Not only does this campaign rely on offensive stereotypes and inaccurate information (research indicates that parents of Autistic children are not more likely to divorce than parents of non-Autistic children), but it also does real damage to the cause of disability rights. By choosing to portray Autistic people as husks of real people, stolen out of our own bodies, Autism Speaks reinforces stereotypes and prejudice against people with disabilities that have existed for centuries and have been the source of pain, segregation and violence.
We are calling on you to end your support for Autism Speaks and to find new ways to show your support for Autistic people and others with disabilities. As the result of a pattern of unethical behavior and irresponsible governance, outlined below, we believe that Autism Speaks as an organization no longer deserves your time, energy, money and support. Read the entire letter.
Sears, Roebuck to Pay Largest ADA Settlement Ever for Employment Discrimination
Source: Occupational Health and Safety
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced the entry of a record-setting consent decree resolving a class lawsuit against Sears, Roebuck, and Co. (Sears) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for $6.2 million and significant remedial relief.
The consent decree, approved on Sept. 29 by Federal District Judge Wayne Andersen, represents the largest ADA settlement in a single lawsuit in EEOC history. EEOC's suit alleged that Sears maintained an inflexible workers' compensation leave exhaustion policy and terminated employees instead of providing them with reasonable accommodations for their disabilities, in violation of the ADA.
"The facts of this case showed that, nearly twenty years after the enactment of the ADA, the rights of individuals with disabilities are still in jeopardy," said Stuart J. Ishimaru, EEOC acting chairman. "At the same time, this record settlement sends the strongest possible message that the EEOC will use its enforcement authority boldly to protect those rights and advance equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities."
EEOC Chicago District Director John Rowe, who supervised the agency's administrative investigation preceding the lawsuit, said that the case arose from a charge of discrimination filed with the EEOC by a former Sears service technician, John Bava. According to Rowe, Bava was injured on the job, took workers' compensation leave, and, although remaining disabled by the injuries, repeatedly attempted to return to work. Sears, Rowe said, "Could never see its way clear to provide Bava with a reasonable accommodation which would have put him back to work and, instead, fired him when his leave expired." Read More.
Michigan Conference to Focus on Issues Facing Veterans with Disabilities
Source: The Grand Rapids Press
A conference in Grand Rapids, MI October 15, 2009 will cover "Opportunities for Inclusion." Housing, accessibility, transportation and challenges facing veterans disabled in combat will be the focus of the event, sponsored by Disability Advocates.
The conference is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Calvin College's Prince Conference Center, 1800 E. Beltline Ave. SE. Cost: $10 for veterans, $15 for others. Sessions include community organizing and universal design, with keynote speech by retired Marines Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, president of SemperMax. Visit www.dakc.us to register.
TRCIL and Activist Madonna Long Produce Fashion Show to Empower Women with Disabilities
Source: ThePittsburghChannel.com
Pittsburgh, PA – Models with disabilities took the stage September 30 during a fashion show aimed at empowering people. The Dare to Change the World show was designed to make the models feel as good as they looked.
The show was created by disabled rights activist Madonna Long. The Ebensburg, Indiana County, native also publishes a magazine aimed at empowering disabled women. "It's also about hoping to help them to understand to advocate for themselves, and not just understand that it's 'Madonna on Capitol Hill,' it can be me up on Capitol Hill," Long said.
The fashion show was part of the Disability Pride dinner hosted by the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living.
Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Mocked by Prominent Supporter of Opposition Candidate
Source: Huffington Post
The Virginia gubernatorial race took an ugly turn this past weekend when a prominent endorser for Republican Bob McDonnell mocked the slight stutter of Democrat candidate Creigh Deeds.
At a rally for McDonnell's campaign, Sheila Johnson was taped discussing the importance of communication skills in the state's next governor.
"We need someone who can really communicate," she said. "And Bob McDonnell can communicate. The other people that I talk to, especially his o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-opponent... could not articulate what needed to be done."
Deeds' spokesperson Mike Gehrke offers the following response to Johnson's comment: "This is a cheap shot and a new low for this race. Virginians deserve better than personal attacks like this. Creigh Deeds isn't the smoothest speaker in the race, but when he speaks he is authentic and means what he says." Read more and watch the video.
NCIL Presents at Department of Labor Listening Session
On Thursday, October 1st, NCIL Policy Analyst Jason Beloungy was one of 21 invited speakers to publically comment on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 before Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Jane Oates; and Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Kathy Martinez.
The purpose of the listening session was to gather input for the Department of Labor about what has been working with WIA, what has not been working, and new opportunities for innovation and change. The 21 presenters were broken up into four groups: Workforce Investment System experts; Disability Program Navigators; National Experts on WIA; and National Disability Organizations.
Jason was joined on the panel of national disability organizations by Charles Harles, Co-Chair of the Consortium of Citizen’s with Disabilities’ (CCD) Employment and Training Taskforce; David Hoff, Board Member of APSE, the network on employment, and Chair of their Public Policy Committee; and Serena Lowe, Co-Founder of the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination.
NCIL’s presentation focused primarily on the concerns with WIA and suggestions for innovation and changes, and our written testimony will be released shortly. The entire three-and-one-half-hour listening session can be listened to online by going to: www.workforce3one.org
Breaking Barriers to Equality Town Forum This Saturday
Saturday October 10th, 2009; 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: Sheraton Four Points Hotel
1201 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Hosted by ReachOut USA: www.reachoutusa.org
1 in 5 people in the LGBT Community have a disability or chronic disease. This town forum hall will bring together leading members of the Disability and LGBT Communities to discuss common issues to unite us in a stronger effort towards equality for all people.
Some topics to be discussed:
- Employment: Safe workplaces, equal opportunities, fair hiring practices, non-discrimination policies.
- Accessibility: (how both communities can work together to make themselves fully accessible to each other, which also includes outreach)
- Healthcare Reform Issues: Community First Choice would allow that services must be provided in a home or community setting based on a written plan, instead of being forced into a nursing home because of a disability or chronic illness.
- Violence/Hate Crimes: Issues that affect both communities.
- Equality: Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.
Please join us for an informal mixer Saturday night from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Postscript Room at the Madison Hotel, 1177 15th Street NW.
Swine Flu Vaccine Available This Week for People with Disabilities, Seniors
The federal government is launching the most ambitious vaccination campaign in the U.S. history, geared toward preventing the spread of the highly contagious H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. H1N1 is similar to the seasonal flu but with more severe symptoms and marks the first influenza pandemic in over 41 years. One of the goals in the campaign by the federal government is to aid communities that may be more at higher risk, including some people with disabilities. The government states the vaccine itself will be free but there might be costs associated from the provider of the vaccine.
Over the last few months, the government has spent $2 billion to purchase about 250 million doses of H1N1 vaccine and has pledged to buy enough to immunize every American. The vaccination will come in two forms: a shot and FluMist, a nasal spray. The doses are being divided among the states, distributed according to population, and further dispersed by state health departments. Vaccination sites include doctors’ offices, hospitals, drugstores, and public clinics.
For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm.
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October 5, 2009