The following alert is from New York Association on Independent Living:
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Urge Members of Congress to Support Disability Freedom
Now - more than ever - people with disabilities need a federal law ensuring that we can live in freedom!
During the pandemic, more than 200,000 people in institutions died from COVID-19;
Despite all of the work we have done, according to the US Census, the number of people in nursing facilities actually increased over the last 10 years; and
The Supreme Court is potentially poised to reverse or limit the Olmstead decision.
The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act is bipartisan and bicameral civil rights legislation that addresses the injustice of people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) being forced into institutions. The legislation, a previous version of which was known as the Disability Integration Act, builds on decades of Disability advocacy and activism to end the institutional bias and provide seniors and people with disabilities Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutionalization.
The legislation ensures Disability Freedom by:
clarifying that every individual who is eligible for LTSS has a federally protected right to receive services and supports in the community;
requiring that states and other LTSS insurance providers deliver services in a manner that allows Disabled individuals to live in the most integrated setting, have maximum control over their services and supports, and lead an independent life;
articulating the right to live in the community without creating unnecessary government programs, ensuring that states have broad latitude to determine how they will secure this right;
establishing a comprehensive planning requirement comparable to the process states used to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act which includes addressing disparities in the provision and availability of HCBS; and
requiring public entities to address the need for affordable, accessible, integrated housing that is independent of service delivery.
Click here to add your support!
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If you are interested in disability advocacy issues like this one, contact Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at:
518-563-9058 Ext. 110
The Mission of the North Country Center for Independence is to help people with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives, and promote better policies and community understanding of disability issues. NCCI serves people with disabilities, families, and the community on issues related to physical and mental disabilities. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities. It is one of the 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State. There are also hundreds of similar centers throughout the United States. NCCI serves Clinton and Essex Counties, New York.