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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Additional Talking Points on ACL’s PIII Proposal

As a follow-up to yesterday’s alert on the Administration for Community Living (ACL) PIII proposal, we are sharing these additional talking points courtesy of the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL).

Submit comments directly to ACL by Friday, August 11, 2017 via email [email protected].

NCIL logo - National Council on Independent LivingSuggested Talking Points:

  • I oppose the proposed plan to create a new partnership for innovation, inclusion, and independence. Innovation, inclusion, and independence are not achieved by eliminating three distinct disability councils and reducing their combined funding by 57%!
  • In order to achieve real and meaningful innovation, inclusion, and independence, the President, Congress, and HHS/ACL should invest additional funds to support the work of the existing councils to prioritize the goals of innovation, inclusion, and independence.
  • The concepts of innovation, inclusion, and independence are already consistent with the purpose of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, which seeks “to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.”
  • The Independent Living (cross-disability), Developmental Disability, and Traumatic Brain Injury networks have long-standing histories and populations with specific needs. They each are connected to Federal disability laws. Congressional authority is required to change any of these programs.
  • The Independent Living State Grants (Part B) are the primary funding source of many Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs). SILCs will cease to exist if this plan moves forward. The progress made to date will be discontinued and the proposed partnership will negatively impact people with disabilities, their families, communities and networks.
  • SILCs are consumer-controlled. This means most of the appointed members are people with disabilities. The primary responsibility of each council is to develop, monitor, and evaluate the 3-year federal Statewide Plan for Independent Living. These plans outline goals and objectives to improve the independence of people with disabilities. Eliminating these funds will halt an intentionally designed, consumer-controlled process, whereby people with disabilities have direct input into both the state plan and the direction of Independent Living.
  • In many states, these funds are used for Center operations.

In addition to using the model talking points above, we encourage you to personalize your message to speak to the impact the Independent Living Part B funds have had on you, your Center and / or the local community. Think about including an example of progress achieved in your state as a result of these funds.

Comments

  1. Audrey Johnston says

    I oppose the proposed plan to create a new partnership for innovation, inclusion, and independence. Innovation, inclusion, and independence are not achieved by eliminating three distinct disability councils and reducing their combined funding by 57%! As I have personally seen the DD Council has help others, matter of fact I was just a statistic before I became a part of The Ontonagon County RICC. After I became a part of this group, I learned how to speak up for what I believe in. That included me wanting to go to college, many had told me I would amount to anything but here I am, graduated in April 2017 with my Associates degree with High Honors and a Student Ambassador and I have since continued on for my Bachelors. If you eliminate this funding those who want to achieve their hopes and dreams, wont have the chance! And they will forever be that statistic like I will before the DD council