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Thursday, January 21, 2021

The Disability Movement Under The Biden Administration

The Disability Movement Under The Biden Administration
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Oct. 28,
VIA: @TheMomKind
EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: SAVE NATIONAL PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

#PaidLeave cannot be cut from a plan to #BuildBackBetter in America. How do you rebuild without one of the biggest and most popular pillars that keep families working and healthy? Help us #SavePaidLeave:

April 7,
Biden Calls For Major Boost To Disability Services

Alongside funding for bridges and roads, President Joe Biden’s wide-ranging $2 trillion infrastructure plan includes a massive investment in home- and community-based services for people with disabilities.

The proposal unveiled last week known as the American Jobs Plan calls for $400 billion in spending to expand access to Medicaid home- and community-based services for those currently on waiting lists.

March 25,
Biden Signs Stimulus Bill Sending Funds To Disability Community
President Joe Biden signed a massive pandemic relief package sending billions to special education and home- and community-based services and providing stimulus payments for many with disabilities who haven’t previously qualified.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed Thursday provides the first major investment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic a year ago in the hard-hit disability services system.

The legislation includes $12.67 billion for Medicaid home- and community-based services over the next year. The funding will go to states in the form of a 10% rise in the federal government’s share of spending on the program starting in April and extending through March 2022.

January 25,
White House Enlists ASL Interpreters For Daily Press Briefings

The White House on Monday announced that its regular press briefings will now include an American Sign Language interpreter. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the move was "part of this administration's accessibility and inclusion efforts."

She noted that Monday's interpreter, identified as Heather, was translating the briefing virtually (a livestream of the interpreter played alongside Psaki during Monday's press conference).

"The president is committed to building an America that is more inclusive, more just and more accessible for every American," Psaki said.


January 21,
I hope they also plan to revise the limits of income PWDs can earn before it effects the benefits we can receive. More PWDs would love to work, but the system is setup to penalized for trying to improve our lives.

For example, if you are an adult in Maryland you may be eligible for Medicaid if your monthly income is up to approximately of $1,468. I find that interesting since on SSI you can only make $794 a month and keep your benefits.

Another fun fact, under the state of emergency in Maryland due to COVID19. I got $2,000 for PPE since I use the Self-Directed Waiver. The trick is, I can pay out of pocket to obtain PPE and cleaning supplies, but I can’t be directly reimbursed for them. So, one needs a very trust worthily person in their life, to cash in on the reimbursement. The Gimp Life can turn anyone bi-polar.

Biden Plan Would End Subminimum Wage, Offer Stimulus Checks To More With Disabilities

In his first major undertaking, President-elect Joe Biden wants to do away with a decades-old option to pay workers with disabilities less than minimum wage while giving stimulus payments to more people in this population.

Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion proposal late last week to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout from it. The so-called American Rescue Plan includes $1,400 in direct payments to many Americans as well as funding to support vaccine distribution, reopen schools and support state and local governments while also extending unemployment benefits and expanding paid leave.

Notably, the plan would provide stimulus payments for adults with disabilities who are considered dependents for tax purposes. These individuals have been disqualified from the previous rounds of direct payments issued by the federal government since the start of the pandemic.

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Monday, January 18, 2021

You had 4 Years Dude!

You had 4 Years Dude!
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The White house Disabilities page has been down for four years, it disappeared just minutes after #45 took his “oath”. We should at least give the #45 Admin. credit for two Bills that were past. The first Bill had to do with Education, it stated that every student in Special Ed. was entitle to an IEP and it had to be implemented that school year. The other Bill allowed family members to be PCAs.

Are two major Bills enough to call this Administration a success for the Disability Community, I think not. Really this Admin. has set the Disability movement back decades. The two major threats were the weakening of the ADA and anytime you talk about Medicare cuts, you threaten to take away our independence.

We can be full of hope and anticipation for the new the Administration, but only time will tell. They might be facing more scrutiny since they have 3 offices loaded in our favor.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Education Tid Bits for Students With Disabilities

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Nov. 30,
VIA: @parentcenterhub
Finance Glossary

This glossary contains terms relevant to finance for IDEA Part C and Part B, Section 619 programs. The terms include reference to IDEA and other related federal fiscal requirements as well as those specific to billing public and private insurance for IDEA services.

March 23,
Special Education Advocates Press Biden Administration For Funding Boost
DETROIT — Typical public education initiatives that get a lot of attention like teacher pay raises and funding for preschool are taking a back seat to emergency needs as schools reopen classrooms and provide services to students learning at home.

While Michigan educators anxiously await federal COVID-19 relief aid, they are also calling on President Joe Biden to fully fund special education.

Some see the shift in control of the White House to Democrats as an opportunity to boost support for children with special needs and their families while easing pressure on state and local education budgets.



January 15,
What Biden’s Pick for Ed. Secretary Discussed With Disability Rights Advocates

Advocates for students with disabilities met with President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for education secretary this week to voice concerns about issues ranging from school discipline to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on special education services.

If confirmed by the Senate to the cabinet role, current Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona could play a significant role in special education at a time when advocates fear that many students with disabilities have been left behind during rolling school closures and remote instruction.

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Thursday, January 14, 2021

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak Facts and Vaccine for the Disability Community

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak Facts and Vaccine for the Disability Community
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Nov. 16,
A judge says Texas’ ban on mask mandates violates the rights of students with disabilities.

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates in Texas schools violates the rights of students with disabilities, clearing the path for districts in the state to issue their own rules for face coverings, a decision that could affect more than five million students.

Attention Howard County residents with disabilities and chronic health conditions who need a vaccination appointment!! Accessible Resources for Independence, Howard County Health Department and Maryland Department of Health are holding clinic in Columbia on Friday, April 23rd.

For more information, contact Audrey Sellers, COVID-19 Response Coordinator at 443-713-3915 or covidsupplies@arinow.org

Timonium Fairgrounds Johnson & Johnson Special Needs Clinic
BALTIMORE COUNTY
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DD) SPECIFIC
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE CLINIC

TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2021 8am-12pm
THURSDAY APRIL 15, 8am-1pm
Timonium Fairgrounds, Baltimore County

Baltimore County, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is hosting TWO vaccine clinics for people with developmental disabilities and their families who are 18 years or older. These clinics are specific to people and families living in Baltimore County. The vaccine administered is scheduled to be the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

These clinics require registration (see link below) and are limited to 75 per day. Please do not share links with others.

Please use the links below to register and complete applicable consent forms:

Tuesday, April 13th 8 am to 12 pm Timonium Fairgrounds-Johnson and Johnson Special Needs Clinic https://www.marylandvax.org/reg/6946804129

Thursday, April 15th 8 am to 1 pm Timonium Fairgrounds, Johnson and Johnson, Special Needs Clinic
https://www.marylandvax.org/reg/6029129674

*Please remember to bring your ID to the clinic.

March 16,
Source:Texas State Independent Living Council
Study on the Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities Self-Directing Home and Community-Based Services

Brandeis University is conducting a study to learn about the experiences of people receiving home- and community-based services and self-directing those services. They are interested in learning how people with disabilities are staying safe, how they are keeping their personal care attendants safe, and how they are accessing critical services and supports. Information from this study will be used to advise government agencies and providers.

-Are you a person with a disability who receives Medicaid home and community-based services?
-Are you above the age of 18?
-Do you self-direct your services and supports? In other words, do you control who you hire to provide services or control a budget for services?
-Do you live in the United States?

If you answered yes to each of the questions above, you may be eligible to participate. Participation includes one interview over the telephone or videoconference. The interview will be about one hour. Participants will receive a small gift card for their time.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Miriam Heyman, Senior Research Associate at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, at miriamheyman@brandeis.edu or 781-736-8415.

This study is made possible by the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy and the Community Living Policy Center at Brandeis University. Funding is provided by ACL's National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.

ID: Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots. Photo Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

March 11,
I might fall through cracks again, as I have done most of my life since I don't meet the criteria for high-risk groups for people with disabilities. I live on my own, not chronological ill, don't go to a program. At least I haven't even had a cold this year, during my year of self quarantine. I was just born to be a Desperado!!!

March 11,
Getting a shot of hope in Maryland

If you are in Maryland here is the vaccine center at the M&T stadium. The number is 1-855-634-6829. I already called a couple times and good luck! At least there is a text option, so you don’t have to sit on the phone for hours. Maybe the texting option will start sending you automatic updates.

This morning I did received an update for the Balt. County Deparment of Health to let me know I finally was put on the COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. It is the 11th of March and I signed up on January 18th. I think it might be October before I get the shots, since I am not in a high-risk group while being super uber hygienic life style is not CP friendly.

March 8,
COVID-19 vaccine prioritization by state and territory; this link is intended to inform PWDs as to when they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination

This dashboard was created as a partnership between the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center and the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities as a starting point for understanding how the disability community is prioritized in COVID-19 vaccine distribution and intends to help people with disabilities determine when they qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine in their state.

This tool tracks vaccine prioritization plans across four categories for the 50 US states, 5 US territories, and the District of Columbia:

March 4,
Congress Weighs Stimulus Checks For Those With Disabilities, Funds For Services

A $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan under consideration in the U.S. Senate includes a major investment in home- and community-based services and stimulus payments for more people with disabilities.

The bill approved by the House of Representatives last weekend would funnel an estimated $9.3 billion extra to states for Medicaid programs that enable people with disabilities to live in the community.

February 17,
Shut-in, but not shut out: Mobile team in Howard County delivers COVID vaccines

For those interested in these special deliveries, you’re asked to go to the Howard County Health Department’s website and fill out a survey to make sure you qualify. For those interested in these special deliveries, you’re asked to go to the Howard County Health Department’s website and fill out a survey to make sure you qualify. You can also call the department’s COVID line at 410-313-6284.

February 16,
Unpaid Caregiver for an Elderly Individual or Person with a Disability Letter

Did you know that unpaid caregivers for individuals with ID/A are eligible to receive the COVID Vaccine under Phase 1A of the PA's vaccination plan. To provide documentation that you are an unpaid caregiver to the vaccine provider, you may download the "Unpaid Caregiver for an Elderly Individual or Person with a Disability Letter" from the DHS website.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section titled "Unpaid Caregiver for an Elderly Individual or Person with a Disability Letter (PDF)." Then, click the checkbox to self-attest that you are an unpaid caregiver for an individual with ID/A. After clicking the checkbox please click "View Letter" to download and print the letter. You may then bring the letter with you to the vaccination site to verify your status as an unpaid caregiver eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A.

January 28,
DREDF Is With You: Together We Will Not Let COVID-19 Cancel Disability Civil and Human Rights

The effects of the COVID-19 crisis will hit disabled people and their families disproportionately. DREDF will continue to work in coalition with our community, organizational partners and political allies to provide technical assistance and be a connector of people, resources, and information.

We will continue to hope and fight for the best, which will only be achieved by uniting across community lines and continuing to press for change—especially now.

January 14,
The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Maryland
Adults at least 75 years old are in the next vaccine priority group, called phase 1B. The group includes assisted living facility residents and staff that weren't covered in phase 1A, along with teachers, people with developmental disabilities and certain high-risk inmates. Next in line is phase 1C, which includes Marylanders 65 and up and grocery store, public transit, agriculture and manufacturing workers. After phase 1C is phase 2, which includes people over the age of 16 with significant underlying medical conditions.

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Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Hold Them Accountable

Hold Them Accountable
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Why would you believe anything this guy says?
Sen. Josh Hawley says ‘Antifa scumbags’ terrorized his family’s Virginia home. Police called the protesters ‘peaceful.’

The activists said they had staged a peaceful vigil Monday night to protest a GOP plan to object to Congress’s certification of the presidential electoral vote this week. On the sidewalk in a Northern Virginia suburb, a group of 15 people chanted while holding candles and signs reading, “Protect democracy.”

The idea of protest is to make noise, so hopefully someone will take notice and take time to hear you out. Really, I think this is how protest should be conducted from now on, not to gather in a big mass so your message is not heard. Also, if the protest is kept to a small group it will be easy to point out the bad elements that invade the gathering.

Protest: A protest is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations.

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