Editor's Note:
The next edition of the Weekly Advocacy Monitor will be released Monday, March 23rd, after your editor relocates to the Mid West and staff has some time to adjust to some major internal changes. We will be using that time to prepare for our upcoming Policy Briefing Teleconference, Policy Summit, and Congressional Briefing. Thank you for your patience!
Don't forget to register for the Policy Briefing Teleconference, it's free for NCIL members!
-Eleanor
1) What’s Happening in the Nation’s Capital?
Omnibus Delayed in the Senate
Action Alert: 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act with Increased IL Funding At Risk! Call Your Senators Today!
2) National News
PETA Calls Blind Guide Dog Users Cruel & Unfit
Tell Lindt Chocolates that Autism Speaks Doesn't Speak For Us!
Youth-Led Campaign to End the “R-Word”
3) State News
President Obama Announces Series of Regional White House Forums to be Held in California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont
Medicaid Stimulus? States Playing Games
Access at Issue in Massachusetts Stimulus Projects
4) Announcements and Additional Resources
International Roundtable Panel Discussion and E-Discussion Launch
Omnibus Delayed in the Senate
Source: Politico, by: Glenn Thrush and Manu Raju
The Senate stalled on the omnibus Thursday night when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) came up short of the 60 votes he needed to move the bill forward.
That led to a late-night, closed-door meeting between Reid, Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) — aides in the hall heard yelling and swearing — and it has fanned House Democrats’ anger over Reid’s inability to move bills without granting major concessions to marginal members of both parties.
“We’re always frustrated with the Senate,” House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said Friday. The rejoinder from Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), a suddenly powerful centrist who helped strip the House stimulus bill of billions: “I’ve said all along, the House needs to learn how to count the votes in the Senate.” Reid’s own vote count came up short Thursday night.
The Nevada Democrat was forced to delay a pivotal vote on the measure after Democrats and moderate Republicans raised last-minute concerns — despite the fact that Reid previously believed he had the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture. “Something that’s being learned here is that having 58 votes can in some ways be a little trickier going than the breakdown we had last Congress, because it makes the marginal votes so important that it empowers people,” a Senate Democratic aide remarked after the humiliation.
Pelosi was reportedly so furious at the Senate’s slow-walk on the omnibus that she initially rejected any new changes to the bill, saying the House would substitute a stop-gap resolution stripping the omnibus of earmarks and freezing government spending at current levels until the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
In the end, Pelosi withdrew the proposal after Reid assured her Senate Democrats had enough votes to reject a series of GOP amendments Monday. If that deal holds — and it’s always possible it won’t — it would be a victory for Pelosi, who wanted the House bill approved without changes.
For his part, Reid dismissed the idea of a rift, saying his miscalculation has less to do with his grip on Democrats than it does with the traditional role of the upper chamber. “The House, they run every two years,” Reid said during a floor speech Friday. “Their ears are in tune to the constituency like no one else. ... We ... are the saucer that cools the coffee. And sometimes, we cool it for a long period of time.”
Action Alert: 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act with Increased IL Funding At Risk! Call your Senators today!
The US House of Representatives recently passed their version of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This is more commonly referred to as “The Budget” for the federal government. Last year, a continuing resolution was passed to continue funding at 2008 levels. What this meant was a continuation of the cuts to the IL Program.
In the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill passed by the House, there was an increase in Part B funds for state grants, and Part C funds for Centers. Here is what the increases included:
2008 Funding for Part B = $22.193 million
2009 Appropriation for Part B = $23.450 million
For an increase of $1.257 million or 5.7%
2008 Funding for Part C = $73.334 million
2009 Appropriation for Part C = $77.266 million
For an increase of $3.932 million or 5.4%
Currently the US Senate is now debating the bill, and there are not enough votes to support a cloture vote (a vote to end debate and set a time to vote on the bill). Without a vote for cloture, the bill cannot be voted on. If that happens, the new appropriation will not pass and instead a continuing resolution will be used to pass a budget that keeps all funding at 2008 levels. The first real chance at increasing IL Funding is close, but can easily slip away unless US Senators hear from you! Don’t let Congress take the easy road and short-change Independent Living again!
We need EVERYONE to call their US Senators and tell them to immediately pass the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill with IL funding and to oppose efforts to pass a Continuing Resolution for the remainder of the fiscal year. There are several Senators that are key to the possibility of success. If one of these Senators is from your state, contact them immediately.
They are:
We still need all US Senators to hear from us. Please call, e-mail or fax them today. The US Capitol toll-free number is: 1-866-220-0044. If you have questions or need assistance, please call Jason or Elizabeth at the NCIL office; V: 202-207-0334; TTY: 202-207-0340; Toll-free voice/TTY 1-877-525-3400.
PETA Calls Blind Guide Dog Users Cruel & Unfit
Source: American Chronicle, by Donna W. Hill
“We oppose most seeing-eye-dog programs,” says Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA's vice president for Cruelty Investigations, in an interview with the LA Times’ “LA Unleashed.”
Nachminovitch’s objections go beyond PETA’s distaste for breeding programs. “They are kept in harnesses almost 24/7, people are prohibited from petting or playing with them and they cannot romp and run and interact with other dogs.” PETA also claims that schools force blind people to return their retired dogs.
Nachminovitch doubts the fitness of most blind people to care for their animals, “A deaf person can see if a dog has a medical issue such as blood in her urine, a blind person living alone cannot.” PETA´s solution would return blind people to lives of dependence; “The human community should do more to support blind people, and give dogs a break…”
Outraged guide dog handlers and puppy raisers from many schools commented on latimes.com refuting every point. Letters to the editor and Op-Ed pieces were submitted to the Los Angeles Times. Some people, like Tampa-based clinical hypnotherapist, professional musician and speaker Marion Gwizdala, president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) wrote to Nachminovitch directly. Read More.
E mail PETA at: DaphnaN@peta.org.
Tell Lindt Chocolates that Autism Speaks Doesn't Speak For Us!
Source: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Recently, Lindt Chocolates announced a fundraising campaign for Autism Speaks, an organization that excludes autistic people themselves from its decision-making, uses offensive and unethical advertising tactics based on fear and pity and raises funds for the eugenic elimination of the autism spectrum. Too often, money raised to improve our lives goes towards organizations that don't speak for us and work against our interests. People with disabilities of all kinds have a right to be at the center of the decisions made about us, not standing at the sidelines. We've started an action alert to tell Lindt Chocolates that its money is better used elsewhere, with charities whose work will benefit the lives of autistic people rather than aim to eliminate us. Go to our action alert and sign the petition!
The action alert allows you to write your own e-mail or use a form letter already available, however, for those of you who want to write your own e-mail or can't use the action alert for whatever reason, here are some talking points on why Autism Speaks is bad for the autism and autistic communities. Lindt Chocolate's e-mail is here: lindt@qualitycustomercare.com
-Autism Speaks is an autism organization that claims to speak for autistic people, without a single autistic person on its board of directors or leadership. This is far out of line with the mainstream of the disability community, where individuals with disabilities work side by side with family members, professionals and others to achieve quality of life and equality of opportunity. Autism Speaks' exclusionary policies are an embarrassment to itself and its funders.
-Autism Speaks advertising is highly offensive to autistic people and our families, with ads that compare a life on the autism spectrum to a car accident, being struck by lightning, a terminal illness and other fatal situations. Rather than work to decrease stigma and increase respect for autistic people, Autism Speaks' advertising fosters pity, shame and fear, suggesting that our very lives are mistakes and burdens.
-Autism Speaks' fundraising goes towards genetic research aimed at developing a prenatal test with potentially eugenic applications. Given the fact that 92% of fetuses that test positive for Down Syndrome are selectively aborted prior to birth, we are concerned by the prospect of a similar result in respect to the autism spectrum. This is an issue of discrimination, wholly separate from typical abortion politics. Money raised in the name of autistic people should go towards opportunities for quality of life, not towards our elimination. Autism Speaks research agenda is overwhelmingly focused on causation and prevention rather than research initiatives that might support quality of life for all autistic people. This drains support from initiatives that stand to improve the quality of life of autistic people, such as services, supports and education, which Autism Speaks supports in only a tiny fraction of its massive budget.
Thank you to those who alerted us of this situation and we urge your immediate support. Together, our voices cannot be ignored. Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Youth-Led Campaign to End the “R-Word”
Source: Special Olympics
"Spread the Word to End the Word 3.31.09" is an "r-word" campaign, a youth-inspired, youth-led event. You can find out more about the campaign at the Special Olympics website.
This past February, the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in in Boise / Sun Valley, Idaho uniting nearly 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries. As part of that event, 130 young people with and without intellectual disabilities gathered for a week-long activation summit.
On February 9, during the week of activities, Dick Morris used the word “retarded” in a demeaning way on the O’Reilly Factor. The students of the Youth Activation Summit acted swiftly and reached out to FOX and Bill O’Reilly to educate and engage them on this blunder. On February 12, Bill O’Reilly gave an on-air apology.
Young people have found their power and are leading an effort for Special Olympics called Spread the Word to End the Word. Students across the country are planning local events for 3.31.09 to end the use of the R-word and to garner more pledges of support.
Actor and National Down Syndrome Society Ambassador John C. McGinley attended the 2009 World Games and was so impressed with the actions of these young people that he has signed-on to help them further their goal.
We invite you to join us as we Spread the Word to End the Word this month. Help the youth spread the word by mobilizing your constituents to support their efforts. Graphics, tools and resources can be found at www.r-word.org. Your organization and constituents are welcome to use the materials to participate in this nationwide awareness effort to help us accomplish what we set out to do in August 2008 – change the conversation and raise the consciousness of society about the hurtful effects of the R-word.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kirsten Seckler at kseckler@specialolympics.org or 1-202-715-1147 or Barbara Kornblau@bkornblau@specialolympics.org
President Obama Announces Series of Regional White House Forums to be Held in California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont to host regional forums to continue discussion about bringing down health care costs, expanding coverage for all Americans
Building on Thursday’s White House Forum on Health Care Reform, President Obama announced a series of Regional White House Forums on Health Reform that will bring the conversation about health care reform directly to communities across the country. In keeping with the Obama administration’s commitment to a transparent, accountable government, the forums will be an opportunity for Americans from all over the country to voice their concerns and ideas about reforming our health care system.
"Health care reform is a fiscal imperative," President Obama said. "Skyrocketing health care costs are draining our federal budget, undermining our long-term economic prosperity and devastating American families. The time for reform is now and these regional forums are some of the key first steps toward breaking the stalemate we have been stuck in for far too long. The forums will bring together diverse groups of people all over the country who have a stake in reforming our health care system and ask them to put forward their best ideas about how we bring down costs and expand coverage for American families."
The Regional White House Forums on Health Care Reform will be hosted by the states’ Governors and will include participants ranging from doctors to patients to providers to policy experts. They will be open conversations with everyday Americans, local, state and federal elected officials – both Democrat and Republican -- and senior Obama administration officials. The events will begin with a video recorded by the President, a summary of the findings from the Health Care Community Discussions that took place in December, and an overview of the discussion that took place at the White House Forum on Health Reform.
The meetings in California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont will take place in March and early April. Further logistical information about the forums is forthcoming.
Medicaid Stimulus? States Playing Games
Source: Steve Gold Information Bulletin #278 (www.stevegoldada.com)
Two provisions of the recently enacted Congressional Stimulus program continue to raise elderly and disability advocates' questions and concerns: how do we deal with states that want take the increased match of federal Medicaid funds, while at the same time avoiding what Congress required and intended the states to do.
Let's begin with the purpose of the entire Stimulus program. Congress intended to stimulate / increase / maintain Medicaid spending to "minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive... tax increases." The stimulus was not to use the increased federal funds so Medicaid's funds could then be redirected in non-Medicaid programs. Read More.
Access at Issue in Massachusetts Stimulus Projects
Source: Boston Globe, by Stephanie Ebbert
The governor's task forces on federal stimulus funding, which helped identify billions of dollars last month in "shovel-ready projects" in Massachusetts, has angered advocates for the disabled by suggesting that the state forego reviews of the need for handicapped accessibility to prevent construction delays.
Activists are threatening legal action and planning to protest a Monday meeting of the state Architectural Access Board. They fear that if the state overlooks accessibility in its rush to put federal stimulus funds to use, it will never find the money to make the buildings accessible.
"For the governor to put a document out that says the first thing we're going to do is abrogate the rights of people with disabilities in order to spend the stimulus money is a real slap in the face to people with disabilities who have fought for civil rights for so many years," said Bill Allan, executive director of the Disability Policy Consortium, a Boston-based organization of volunteer disability rights activists. Read More.
International Roundtable Panel Discussion and E-Discussion Launch
March 10th, 2009, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET
IMF (HQ-1) Building: 700 19th Street NW, Washington DC 20431; Meeting Hall B (3rd floor, Room 500B)
As part of the World Bank's celebration of March as Diversity Month, and in light of the widely ratified UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this Roundtable will focus on the importance of including women with disabilities in development and will explore practical ways to ensure their inclusion. This Roundtable provides attendees with an opportunity to hear from national and international experts with experience on the issue from various regions. A 2-week long E-Discussion will be launched during the Roundtable creating a "virtual" forum enabling individuals worldwide to discuss and exchange ideas and information on various issues pertaining to the role of women with disabilities in development.
Please note: You must RSVP to Roundtable Event and/or register for E-Discussion, separately. To RSVP for the Roundtable event, please email Laura McDonald (lmcdonald@worldbank.org) and indicate your full name and organization. Please email requests for disability accommodations to both lmcdonald@worldbank.org and kpeffley@worldbank.org (by March 5th, 2009). If you have any questions regarding registering for the E-Discussion, please contact Kelly Hamel.
To register to participate in the E-Discussion, please register by submitting an email in the following format:
To: listserv@listserv.syr.edu;
Subject: EDISCWWD [Your First Name, Your Last Name, Your Country] ( *e.g.: EDISCWWD Joe Smith Australia);
Message Body: Subscribe EDISCWWD [Your First Name, Your Last Name] ( *e.g.: Subscribe EDISCWWD Joe Smith).
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March 9, 2009