The disability community's connections to and intersection with all parts of the civil and human rights community are essential to who we are and lead us to stand together and speak out against injustice and inequality in all its forms.
Plain Language:
Racism hurts our country. People are protesting and speaking out for change.
What this means to you:
We all have a role in addressing racism and making needed changes. The injustice and inequality experienced by black Americans is a human rights, civil rights, and disability rights issue. The disability community will work for change.
Discourages, but does not ban, tactics such as chokeholds and no-knock warrants,requires local law enforcement agencies to report all officer-involved deaths to the FBIand encourages broader use of body-worn cameras for officers.
Contact your Congressional delegation by email or call the Capitol Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and advocate for justice.
Sample Script:
"Hi, my name is _____ and I am calling because _______ (personal impact of police brutality)______.I am from _______(university program name/city and state).I have experience with ___________.I care about____________."
Example:
Hi, my name is Jordan Kerr and I am a Public Health Specialist and resident of PG County. The recent recorded murder of George Floyd has not only caused tremendous concern but shed light on the systemic issue of police brutality in America. Myself and others in my field are concerned about the history of racial profiling, excessive force, and abuse of power that has been present in a number of fatal interactions with law enforcement. Studies have shown that Black residents are more likely to be stopped by police than white or Hispanic residents and police are twice as likely to threaten or use force against black residents than white or Hispanic residents. These instances are more frequently being recorded, leading to a norm of distrust between police and the community they serve and a fear of law enforcement. It is because of this that I would like to talk with you about legislation that prohibits lethal force unless necessary and only after required use of reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. The state of unrest in America will only continue until changes are made. It is my hope that you would support policies that will lead to better practices and allow our law enforcement to effectively serve our communities."
Congress and the administration are responding to the COVID-19 crisis in a variety of ways. It is important that the various relief and safety efforts meet the needs of people with disabilities. Your education to members of Congress about the impact on people with disabilities is important during this time.
Free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured. Increased paid leave. Enhanced Unemployment Insurance to people unable to work. Increased funding for food security programs.
Allows state Medicaid programs to pay for direct support professionals to assist disabled individuals in the hospital
$13.5 billion available for formula grants to States, which will then distribute 90 percent of funds to local educational agencies to meet needs of all students, including students with disabilities
$85 million for Centers for Independent Living
$50 million for Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Extension of Money Follows the Person and Spousal Impoverishment through November 30, 2020
Waives nutrition requirements for Older Americans Act (OAA) meal programs during the public health emergency related to COVID-19 to ensure seniors can get meals in case certain food options are not available
Home and Community Based Services investment to support wages, services, leave, and related critical needs to support access to home and community- based services.
$10,000,000 for Developmental Disabilities Act Programs
$10 Billion additional for nutrition services and increased flexibility to support greater access for people with disabilities
Requirement for CDC Field Study about to Health Inequities
Specifically: "the impact of disability status on health care access and disease outcomes"
·Extends the time businesses have to spend the funds from an eight-week period to 24 weeks.
What happened last week:
Senate leadership has not yet expressed an interest in considering "Package 4" legislation. Senate action may come in July or later. Hearings were held in the House and Senate related to COVID, including:
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 and the Health Care System
Tax Relief to Support Workers and Families during the COVID-19 Recession
Senators continue to work introducing legislation that indicates their priorities to be included in the next package.
Plain Language:
Congress is working on bills to support people during COVID-19. They need to hear from you about the needs of people with disabilities.
What this means to you:
More than 105 million Americans - or about 4 in 10 adults - are at greater risk if infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19), including older adults, people with disabilities and those with underlying health conditions. The front-line workers and family caregivers who support these individuals also face increased risks, requiring additional resources and supports to protect their health and well-being.
Action steps:
Read AUCD's resources to continue your work during the pandemic
Telehealth: a broad range of technologies and services to provide patient care and improve the healthcare delivery system as a whole, telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education, in addition to clinical services.
Telemedicine: patients and healthcare providers communicate via video, phone, or email for diagnosis, treatment, and general care
Congress is talking about making permanent telehealth changes.
What this means to you:
As health care system change decision are made that will impact the accessibility of telehealth to all people. Now is that right time to talk to policy makers about how to meets the needs of people with disabilities in telehealth.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) officially introduced the Equal Access to Care Actthis week, which would allow licensed health care providers to virtually treat patients, even in states where they're not licensed, for 180 days after the emergency period is over.
Plain Language:
Congress is talking about making it possible for doctors to treat patients in states where the doctor does not have a medical license, using telehealth.
What this means to you:
It may be possible to get care from a doctor in another state without traveling to that state.
Action Steps:
Share you thought on telehealth with your members of Congress.
Email or call the Capitol Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators.
You can use thiseasy toolto find your members of Congress
Hospital Visitation
The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reached a Resolution with the State of Connecticut after the state issued an executive order regarding non-visitation policies for short-term hospitals, outpatient clinics, and outpatient surgical facilities, to ensure that people with disabilities are not denied reasonable access to needed support persons.
Around the country, hospital policies vary. Many ban all visitors; some states and some hospitals do make exceptions for some patients who can't speak. The Center for Public Representation, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, CommunicationFIRST, and The Arc have updated their Evaluation Framework to reflect changes to state policies and revisions adopted.
Plain Language:
Connecticut has agreed that people with disabilities will not be denied reasonable access to needed support persons.
What this means to you:
Individuals and advocates can use this case as an example when working with states, local communities and medical professionals in developing fair and non-discriminatory plans.
The Supreme Courtannounced two civil and human rights rulings this week:
Stopped the administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, at least for now
Extended federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace (the Civil Rights Act of 1964) to protect gay, lesbian or transgender employees from being disciplined or fired based on their sexual orientation
Plain Language:
The court ruled that young people covered by DACA can continue to live and work in America.The court also ruled that civil rights law means you can not be fired because of your sexual orientation.
What this means to you:
If you had DACA protection or identify as LGBTQ, the court supported your rights. All communities and workplaces will continue to benefit from the work and lives of Dreamers and LGBTQ Americans.
Check out AUCD's new policy resource, a one-page fact sheet to help explain AUCD's policy efforts, and engage with us today!
Tuesdays With Liz
Kids as young as two years old are able to understand about #COVID19 and physical distancing. Dr. Ruby Natale of the Mailman Center for Child Development, a UCEDD at the University of Miami, talks to Liz about a video series the Center has developed to help kids learn about social distancing and masks.
Check out the videos and share with a young friend you know!
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