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

Take Action on the Disability Integration Act This Recess!

If there’s one thing these past few months have taught us, it’s that the disability community has the power to make things happen! When Trumpcare failed, it was a direct result of our advocacy. Every meeting, email, protest, letter, Tweet, fax, arrest, and call led to our win.

Let’s harness the energy we’ve created into fighting for the Disability Integration Act (DIA)! As we’ve said before, the failure of Trumpcare is not the end of our fight to protect Medicaid. We know that there are more attacks on Medicaid ahead. The DIA is not only the next logical step in our fight for disability rights, but also the only piece of legislation that will protect people with disabilities from institutionalization, especially with the uncertainty of when the next Medicaid attack will occur.

NCIL logo - National Council on Independent LivingAs too many in our community have experienced, people who need long-term services and supports (LTSS) are often forced into institutions, losing their basic freedom and civil rights. The DIA addresses this injustice by reversing this institutional bias. You can learn more at www.disabilityintegrationact.org. With all of the threats our community is facing, the DIA would be the single most effective piece of legislation for protecting the life and liberty of people with disabilities around the country. We need ALL of our Members of Congress to support the DIA!

Take Action!

The disability community has always been powerful, but over the past few months we have proven that we’re a force to be reckoned with. Congress is on recess now, and they’ll be in their home states for the remainder of August. Use this recess to educate your Senators and Representatives, and ask them to cosponsor the DIA (S. 910 and H.R. 2472). Tell them why this legislation is so important to their constituents with disabilities. Tell them that living in our own communities and making choices about our own lives is our right, and as our elected officials, it’s their responsibility to protect that right. Also, if you represent a CIL or other organization, make sure to sign on as a supporter of the DIA!

We need to use this recess to keep our momentum up, Trumpcare may have failed, but Congress needs to know that we are still watching, and we’re still ready to fight for our rights! So attend Town Halls and public events. Meet with your legislators and their staff. Keep calling, emailing, and tweeting. Help ensure that while our Senators and Representatives are at home they will keep hearing from their disabled constituents about the issues that matter most to us!

Comments

  1. Larry Topp says

    We need to the Disabled Community Support The is not done with US yet!