Disability Policy in Turbulent Times

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

January 12, 2021

#AdvocacyMatters

Disability Policy in Turbulent Times

It is important to discuss the terrorist activity focused on the U.S. Capitol last week. Many of us thought the turbulent times and strife we face as a nation was behind us. Just 12 days (about 1 week 5 days) into the new year and our country faces the possibility of more protests and extremist activity in Washington, DC and in our state Capitols between January 17 – 20.

What does this mean for disability policy in the United States? It means there still is not a national plan for ending COVID-19 and attention is focused off disability policy while the nation faces this constitutional crisis.

What can you do?

First, individuals and organizations must condemn the insurrection. We must condemn the domestic terrorism and insurrection that tried to overturn a fair election, the will of the people, and stop the democratic transfer of power. It was jarring for Americans everywhere to know that the insurrection threatened the Electoral College certification.

We respect the rights of people to disagree and assemble peacefully but not to overthrow the first branch of our constitutional government or attempt to harm elected officials.

Second, we must act to focus attention back on disability policy. The insurrection shifted disability policy out of sight and out of mind in the middle of a pandemic that is impacting our community deeply. The pandemic is disproportionately taking the lives of people of color and people with disabilities.

Finally, we must insist that better emergency plans be in place to evacuate all elected officials, including legislators with disabilities at home and in Washington, D.C.

#AdvocacyMatters and hope lies in your hands.

We must communicate with our federal elected officials now. Let us start our advocacy for 2021 with an email or phone call to your congressional offices. Tell them you condemn the insurrection and urge your members to get back to the business of supporting people with disabilities through this pandemic.

You can visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov for a list of all members and their contact information.