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MediSked and The Arc Release 2018 Disability Data Digest

/in /by The Arc

Building on the joint 2015 I/DD Data Digest, MediSked and The Arc of the United States are proud to announce the release of the 2018 Disability Data Digest, a compilation of the latest statistics from the disability field, displayed in an easy to read infographic format.

In the age of information, it can be difficult to discern what data is reliable, relevant, timely, and accurate. This resource provides a snapshot of today’s disability community and highlights the areas in which progress has been made toward achieving parity in access to opportunity and basic human rights, while also delineating the many challenges that still face individuals with I/DD in striving for inclusion and equality.

The report includes detailed statistics about the following topic areas:

  • Population and Demographics
  • Socio-Economic Profile
  • Employment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Independence and Decision-Making
  • Living in the Community
  • Long Term Supports and Services
  • Direct Support Professional Crisis
  • Family Caregiving and Natural Supports
  • Disability and the Justice System

We’ve included a fillable State & Local Advocacy Data Toolkit that is linked to resources and databases which contain state-specific data to support local-level advocacy campaigns. Additionally, we have made each of the individual infographics from the Data Digest available for use, with proper citations. You can utilize these resources to identify vital statistics in your state and community to fuel advocacy efforts.

Click here to download the 2018 Disability Data Digest.

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Chapter Benefits Spotlight

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One and a half years ago, Rob Malone, The Arc of Prince Georges County Executive Director asked his neighboring chapters (Northern Virginia, Montgomery County MD, The District Columbia) if they might benefit from holding a get-to-know you meeting. With a resounding yes, this quartet continues to hold two-hour, quarterly lunch meetings and developed relationships, shared ideas, found solutions to shared problems and imagined the possibilities. Their outcomes are plentiful, including a joint purchase of television advertisements and winning a travel training grant from the Metro Washington Council of Governments. What are you doing to connect with local chapters that share your borders or interests? Take advantage of The Arc’s powerful network around you.

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Important Information Regarding Upcoming Annual Business Meeting

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The Arc’s 2018 Annual Business Meeting is scheduled to take place in conjunction with this year’s National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee November 8-10.  The meeting will be at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on Friday, November 9th from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm In order to establish a quorum, chapters must credential their votes online, either by designating a representative (who will attend the meeting) or by proxy. As a reminder, a Chapter may designate any individual (including the Executive Director) to representative them at The Arc’s Annual Meeting.

Information specific to the annual meeting (agenda, proposed position statements, etc.) as well as information on how to credential your votes online is posted on The Arc’s Official Convention website under “Schedule” and “Business Meeting”.

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The Arc Responds to Tax Cuts 2.0 Passed by House of Representatives

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Today the House of Representatives passed a tax bill that would permanently extend tax cuts signed into law at the end of last year in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Arc released the following statement in response:

“This is more of the same irresponsible tax legislation we opposed last year. Reducing federal revenue as this bill does will increase the pressure to cut Medicaid and other programs that are critical to the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We are disappointed that the House leadership rushed to pass this bill with no consideration of the individuals with disabilities and others who would be negatively impacted. The Senate is our last line of defense, and we implore Senators to do the right thing and oppose this bill,” said Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer of Public Policy for The Arc.

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The Arc on Proposed Rule From Trump Administration That Would Impact People With Disabilities Legally Residing in the US and Seeking to Legally Immigrate

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Following the draft notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are legally residing in the United States as well as people with I/DD who are hoping to legally immigrate, The Arc released the following statement:

“We are facing a civil rights crisis in our nation and people with disabilities are in the crosshairs with the proposed rule released by the Department of Homeland Security. If finalized and administered as is, this rule would discriminate against immigrants with disabilities, making it harder to legally enter or remain in the country. To deport individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are in our country legally or prevent them from immigrating, goes against the values of our nation.

“At The Arc we believe people should have a fair opportunity to legally enter and reside in the United States and become a citizen, without restrictions based on disability. This includes those needing protection as refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking.

“Focusing on an individual’s need for support is a form of discrimination against people with disabilities we have seen before. But Congress, in the past, addressed the problem by ensuring that people with intellectual disability are provided accommodations as they try to enter our country legally, become citizens, and achieve the American dream like their peers without disabilities. Broadening the criteria for excluding or deporting immigrants based on need for support will harm people with disabilities and their families who have much to contribute to our society.

“If a family is otherwise eligible to enter or remain in our country, they shouldn’t be turned away or turned out because their child or another family member has a disability and may need to access government services to live and participate in the community.

“We will be offering comments to this proposed rule and hope other organizations and individuals will do the same. It would be disgraceful if this were to be adopted as a final rule. We also call on Members of Congress, as they have done in the past, to stand up for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families as they seek inclusion in America,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

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We Want your SSA Stories!

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The Arc and Justice in Aging are interested in speaking with people about their experiences with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) failure to provide for reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in the context of continued benefits. SSA requires that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who are facing suspension or reduction of their benefits file an appeal within 10 days in order to continue to receive their monthly payment while their appeal is pending.

However, SSA is not providing adequate assistance to people with disabilities such as mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, or intellectual disability, who may need help with filing their appeals so they can continue to get their SSI benefits while a decision on the appeal is pending. SSA fails to include with the suspension/reduction notice any information regarding the right to seek a reasonable accommodation (including more time to appeal), fails to inform individuals how to seek assistance at the local office, and even fails to include with the notice the form they need to fill out to appeal.

We are looking at whether SSA is providing help to people who need it and who didn’t get continued benefits. We are interested in speaking with SSI recipients who:

1. Received a notice from SSA that their SSI benefits were being reduced or suspended for reasons other than their disability (e.g., being over the income or resource limits, a change in their living situation). Note: this does not include people who are applying for SSI and are denied, or SSI recipients who are undergoing a Continuing Disability Review or who only received a notice of overpayment;

2. Would have sought continued benefits while their appeal was pending but were unable to do so; and

3. Had trouble processing and acting on information in the SSA notice due to a mental health condition, a cognitive impairment, or an intellectual disability.

If you or your clients are experiencing these issues, please contact Shira Wakschlag, The Arc’s Director of Legal Advocacy & Associate General Counsel to discuss further: Shira@thearc.org; 202-534-3708.

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September 25: National Voter Registration Day

/in /by The Arc

Tuesday, September 25 is National Voter Registration Day 2018! Across the country, organizations, like chapters of The Arc, will be working to register individuals, so everyone can fully participate in our democracy.

Find out how to get involved at NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org and check out the sample social media posts and graphic below to help spread the word online:

Sample Posts:

  • It’s National Voter Registration Day – are you registered? vote.gov
  • Recently moved or turned 18? Haven’t voted in a while? Update your voter reg at NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org #NationalVoterRegistrationDay

Sample Graphic :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please contact Claire Manning, director of Advocacy and Mobilization with any questions.

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Talking about Dementia Guide

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Often, we avoid challenging conversations with our loved ones with intellectual disabilities. We may do this because the information seems scary, we don’t know if they will understand, or because we don’t know how to start the conversation. Talking about dementia is hard. It is scary to think about what will happen as dementia progresses. This fear makes it difficult to speak about with other people, especially adults with intellectual disability. This new guide by the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, created with input from The Arc, walks you through how to tackle t his difficult part of aging with your loved ones. Download your guide!

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Chapter Benefits Spotlight: Keep Your Data Current!

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Are you reading emails addressed to your predecessor? Are you a local or state executive director or state board president missing out on stimulating discussions in our Google Groups? Are Self-Advocates, family members and potential donors unable to connect with you because our Find a Chapter section https://www.thearc.org/find-a-chapter is out of date? Has your chapter changed its name? If your answer is “yes” that means our database eagerly awaits your updates! Please send any changes about your leadership team (name, email, telephone), offices (USPS address), social media account addresses (Website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) or chapter name to membership@thearc.org.

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The Arc Responds to Norm Macdonald’s Down Syndrome Comment

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The Arc released the following statement in response to Norm Macdonald’s remarks about people with Down syndrome:

“It is disheartening that yet again we need to remind a public figure to show respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. What is particularly disturbing about Norm Macdonald’s comment is that in his attempt to explain away his insensitivity to the #MeToo movement, he chose to mock a group of people who have a much greater understanding of victimization than he does.

“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are seven times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than those without disabilities. Mr. Macdonald’s comment is doubly offensive and shows his ignorance about the disability community. We welcome the opportunity to educate Mr. Macdonald about the disability rights movement and hope that in the future he will show more respect for millions of people with disabilities, their families, and all victims of sexual assault,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.