February 5, 2019•Advocacy Matters
Advocacy Matters February 5, 2019: The Disability Integration Act
Partial Transcript: Disability Integration Act – 116th Congress
#AdvocacyMatters Segment – Click here to listen to the entirety of this episode
Disability Matters Radio Show with Joyce Bender
February 5, 2019
We have great news!
The Disability Integration Act was reintroduced into the 116th Congress in both the U.S. House and Senate.
This legislation is so important because it addresses a fundamental issue related to long term services and supports for people with disabilities. The bill protects the rights of people with disabilities to live in the community instead of being forced into costly institutional setting.
The congressional bill numbers are S. 117 and H.R. 555. The legislation has bipartisan support with members such as Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Cory Garner (R-CO), Congressman Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). There are 24 cosponsors in the Senate and 66 cosponsors in the House.
The bills clarify that every individual who is eligible for Long Term Services and Supports has a federally protected right to a real choice in how they receive supports and services.
The bills assure that states and other Long-Term Services and Supports insurance providers deliver services in a manner that allows disabled individuals to live in the most integrated setting and have maximum control over their services and supports.
The goal of the advocacy community is to pass the Disability Integration Act by July 26, 2019 – the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Over 100 national groups and 600 state and local organizations support the Disability Integration Act. Disability Rights Pennsylvania is just one of those organizations.
We would like you to act this week and send a letter to your member of congress asking them to cosponsor this legislation. If you visit our website at www.disabilityrightspa.org, you will find information about the Disability Integration Act and a link to congress.gov where you can learn who has sponsored the legislation. You can also find a link to generate a letter to your House and Senators.
#AdvocacyMatters and we all need to make sure disabled people live in the most integrated setting with the services and supports that allow for greater independence. Join us this week and contact your members of congress with an email about the Disability Integration Act.
To take action on this legislation, please click here: