Stack of binders filled with papers

The Arc Fights Rule That Would Unfairly Strip Disability Benefits

/in , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – The Arc urges The Social Security Administration (SSA) to withdraw its proposed rule that would force people with disabilities and their families to repeatedly prove their disability – putting the critical benefits of thousands of people in jeopardy. The rule would increase how often adults and children with disabilities have to gather and submit mounds of tedious paperwork and other documentation to show the federal government that their disability has not suddenly gone away.

Continuing Disability Reviews can be extremely complicated. People with disabilities, their families, their teachers, and service providers often spend weeks gathering information and making sure forms are filled out correctly. Even a minor error on the form can put not only Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits at risk, but also Medicaid services and other benefits.

“It is unfair for the federal government to burden people with disabilities and their families with the unnecessary and overwhelming task of constantly proving their disability. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities typically require services and supports throughout their lifetimes and will not cease needing services. The Social Security Administration’s new rule would also further open the door to costly applicant and administrative errors, leading to the loss of benefits despite eligibility and the devastating domino effect for people with disabilities and their families. We need the government to consider the looming damage and withdraw this rule immediately,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.

The Arc is also asking the disability community and supporters to oppose the new rule by submitting as many public comments as possible to the federal government before next week’s deadline of Friday, January 31. We want supporters to submit comments here explaining why the rule is harmful and how Social Security and SSI help people with disabilities. The government must read and respond to public comments before it makes the rule final.

The proposed rule would:

  • Require people with disabilities to fill out cumbersome paperwork 2.6 million more times over the next ten years
  • Cut $2.8 billion in Social Security and SSI benefits
  • Put the benefits of thousands of people with disabilities at risk
MLK Day logo that says "MLK Day of Service - Corporation for National and Community Service"

The Arc Joins #MLKDay of Service to End Food Insecurity

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, The Arc will once again commemorate the life of Dr. King and his dream for equality and civil rights for all people. The iconic civil rights leader’s passionate and persistent fight for equality and against discrimination paved the way for the disability community to advance and persevere in its ongoing fight for equality, rights, and inclusion.

In honor of his work, The Arc is making it a day on, not a day off! This year, several chapters of The Arc and partner organizations will work together to address food insecurity and promote inclusive volunteering to bring together people with and without disabilities to serve their communities.

“People with disabilities are often perceived as the ones always in need of help, but in reality, they also have the desire and ability to help others and to play an active role in strengthening their own communities,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc. “In the true spirit of Dr. King, the Day of Service shines a light on what all people – including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities – can do to love, uplift, and support their neighbors.”

Interested in participating on a volunteer project with one of our 2020 subgrantees? See if there’s a volunteer event near you in the list below! You can also search the national database for all opportunities to get involved.

A graphic depicting Martin Luther King, Jr. that reads "25th MLK Day of Service - make it a day on, not a day off. January 20, 2020. Volunteer at MLKDay.gov.

2020 MLK Day of Service Partner Organizations

If you’re looking for more information on volunteering and people with disabilities, check out our free resources.

silhouette of a hand casting a paper ballot into a box

The Arc Announces Voter Accessibility Project for Iowa Caucuses

/in , , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – In advance of the Iowa caucuses, The Arc is announcing its new CaucusAbility project to help ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the battleground state have the opportunity to participate in our democracy in accessible, fair, and valuable ways.

The Arc will host pre-caucus trainings where Iowans with IDD can learn how to caucus, practice the process, and also team up with a partner with disabilities or without disabilities to encourage caucus participation and to attend caucuses together.

People with disabilities face voter accessibility challenges and barriers to the caucus process, from crowded gymnasiums to limited seating. The caucuses are also unique in format – attendees may go in with a preference for a candidate, but throughout the event they will listen to other caucus goers make pitches for their preferred candidate. Quickly analyzing and processing the information and making an informed decision in that environment can be daunting. Furthermore, Iowa’s new and untested satellite caucus system for remote participation may be an additional barrier for people with IDD.

WHO: The Arc

WHAT:  CaucusAbility

WHEN/WHERE:

Wednesday, January 15 Collegiate United Methodist Church Annex, Ames 1 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Friday, January 17 Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m.  

Monday, January 20 Iowa City Public Library, Iowa City 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

WHY: Voter Accessibility

“The Arc is dedicated to a fully inclusive society for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and that includes the right to civic engagement. Having the support of a partner at the Iowa caucuses and the opportunity to practice in advance will help people in the disability community exercise their right to vote. We know that in 2012, one in five voters with disabilities experienced a barrier at the polls. We believe CaucusAbility helps address some of the unique accessibility challenges Iowans with disabilities experience at the caucuses, despite equal access protections under civil rights law,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

A woman in a motorized chair plays with a small dog on a grassy field in front of a community of houses

Community Living Program Extension Passes: 2020 Year to Advocate for Deinstitutionalization

/in , , , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – This week, instead of finalizing a deal that would provide certainty and stability to a program that moves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) out of institutions and into the community of their choice, Congress reauthorized the program for only five months.

The Money Follows the Person program, or MFP, provides funds to states to continue their work on deinstitutionalization, by paying for programs not normally covered by Medicaid, such as housing and employment services. MFP has moved more than 91,000 people with disabilities and aging adults out of institutional settings and back into the community, where they belong. The program has also shown better quality of life outcomes and Medicaid savings averaging 20% per beneficiary per month.

Just a few weeks ago, a bipartisan deal was on the table to permanently extend the program. But in the final negotiations, the length of the support of the program was changed to five months.

“While this is a disappointing turn of events, we have our marching orders for 2020 – advocate, advocate, advocate for a permanent commitment to Money Follows the Person. There is widespread, bipartisan support for this successful program. If we are going to achieve the goal of bringing people out of the dark shadows of institutions to live meaningful, independent lives in the communities of their choice among their family members and peers, with appropriate supports and services, then Congress has to step up. We are ready to help make that happen in 2020,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

Couple hugging outside both with eyes closed

Paid Leave for Federal Workers Approved by Congress but Falls Short for Disability Community

/in , , , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congress approved 12 weeks paid parental leave for federal workers caring for newborns, newly adopted children, and foster children, but the benefit falls short. Federal employees with disabilities and their family members need paid time off for their own medical needs and for caregiving for reasons beyond welcoming a new child and we are disappointed that the country’s largest employer now has a paid leave policy that does not include these crucial components.

“We are somewhat encouraged to see Congress take a small step in the right direction, but this paid parental leave policy is not enough. We need comprehensive paid leave for everyone that works for everyone, including people with disabilities and their families. We will continue to advocate for the needs of the disability community in paid leave – Congress can and should do more,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.

In the U.S. workforce, only 1 in 6 workers has access to paid family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Roughly 2 in 5 workers report they lack access to any paid leave. People with disabilities and their families often experience greater financial insecurity and are more likely to face barriers to employment that can render the financial impact of unpaid time off particularly devastating.

Comprehensive paid leave increases opportunities to take time off for a serious medical condition or to care for someone with a serious medical condition without seeing a sharp drop in income or putting one’s job or employer-based health insurance at risk. In addition, it can increase access to preventive care, such as going to doctor’s appointments, and lead to better overall health and well-being. Access to paid family and medical leave can help workers balance their personal care needs while working and providing support to a family member.

“Our expectation is that the federal government set the tone for other employers to enact paid leave policies that work for everyone. We will keeping fighting on this issue so that workers with disabilities and families that include people with disabilities one day have the comprehensive leave they need to contribute in the workforce and take care of their families,” said Berns.

The Arc has cultivated several national partnerships to bring the issue of paid family and medical leave further into the public spotlight and advocate on the federal level. Learn more about our work.

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

Black and white photograph of a hallway with open doors

The Arc Disgusted by Allegations of Human Subject Experiments, Abuse, and Inadequate Care in Iowa State Institutions for People With Disabilities

/in , , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – The Arc is disgusted by monstrous allegations against two institutions for people with intellectual disabilities operated by the state of Iowa. The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating whether the state violated the civil rights of residents at the Glenwood Resource Center by subjecting them to sexual arousal studies and other “harmful and uncontrolled human subject experiments.” According to reports, the Justice Department is also looking into allegations of inadequate care, needless restraint, and physical injury at Glenwood, in addition to possible violations of the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Glenwood and the Woodward Resource Center.

“We are sickened and outraged. The allegations include degrading and dehumanizing practices, medical invasions in violation of the bodily integrity and dignity of people with disabilities, and reportedly, an increase in deaths.

“This type of alleged treatment is reminiscent of a dark history of coerced medical experimentation and abuse – it’s repugnant and unacceptable. The disability community refuses to go back to those days,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc. “We will be watching this investigation closely. Regardless of the outcome, The Arc and our allies continue our adamant calls to shut down every institution in the nation as soon possible.”

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

 

Man picking up lettuce in the produce section of the grocery store

The Arc Condemns New Food Stamp Program Rule

/in , , /by Kristin Wright

The Arc is concerned that a new federal rule in the food stamp program will hurt hundreds of thousands of people who experience food insecurity, including many with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), made final by the USDA this week, will make it harder for many people with IDD and their families to put food on the table, despite existing but often hard-to-access exemptions for people who receive benefits on the basis of their disability.

The new rule, unfortunately the first in a series of three in the works, will make it more difficult for states to waive arbitrary time limits for some people to receive SNAP benefits. Based on data from 2018, the new rule will take away the food safety net from an average of more than 600,000 households a month and just over 100,000 households will receive lower benefits.

“People with disabilities and their families, as well as those with chronic health conditions, are more likely to experience food insecurity. The Administration acknowledged receiving more than 100,000 comments from the public, mostly in opposition, concerning this change to SNAP when it was a proposal,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc. “It is stunning that the USDA still decided to move forward with a plan that limits access to food for so many people. We opposed the proposal and we condemn the final rule.”

 

brittany-simuangco

The Arc Applauds Federal Action to Support Parents With Disabilities

/in , , , /by The Arc

Washington, D.C. – The Arc applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for taking action to protect the rights of parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) under federal civil rights law. Parents with IDD must not be subject to discrimination or be denied the opportunity to raise their children in their home based solely on a measure like IQ score.

After completing a compliance review, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at Health and Human Services announced an agreement with the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Program (ODHS) requiring ODHS to ensure they meet their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and update its policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination against parents with disabilities in Oregon’s child welfare system. The agreement stems from a case in which ODHS removed two infant children from their mother and father and denied the parents appropriate supports to allow them to reunite with their children, largely because of the parents’ intellectual disabilities and IQ scores. We are encouraged that ODHS has agreed to this important work, including necessary policy changes and training opportunities.

“The Arc is a strong proponent of the rights of parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities to raise children. Research shows that the presence of IDD does not itself preclude effective parenting. Parents with IDD should have access to support as needed to perform parental roles just as they are supported in other valued social roles and activities. We are glad to see federal regulators reject stereotypical and discriminatory beliefs about the abilities of parents with IDD to care for their children, particularly when considering the history of discrimination, including involuntary sterilization,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc. “The Arc calls on state governments, as well as family support and early intervention programs to make sure that intensive and ongoing supports for parents with IDD are available, so that parents like Amy Fabbrini and Eric Ziegler in Oregon can raise their children whenever possible.”

two men, a patient and a doctor, seated and talking

Let’s Talk About Sexual Violence Against Men With Disabilities

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

Men with disabilities are twice as likely as those without disabilities to experience sexual violence. Yet few people know just how common it is, including health care professionals.

The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® and the Board Resource Center recognize that health care professionals are in a front line position to educate patients with disabilities about sexual violence and how to report it. The project is releasing new training videos and other valuable online resources to give doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals the practical tools they need to have simple, direct, and honest conversations about sexual violence with male patients who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Health care professionals generally have little or no experience talking about sexual violence with this population. And men with intellectual and developmental disabilities may not know if they are victims of sexual violence, how to talk about it to their doctor, how to report it to authorities, or how to access healing services like counseling.

Talk About Sexual Violence provides tools that build the capacity of health care professionals to talk about this issue with greater confidence and lays the groundwork needed to empower patients with disabilities to talk openly about sexual violence, decreasing the likelihood of future violence.

As part of the second phase of the Talk About Sexual Violence project, The Arc and the Board Resource Center are proud to present:

“Survivors need to talk things out. We need a safe place to tell things and be heard. Listen to us, hear us, believe us. Let us talk about it as long as we need to. Let us be brave with you. We are getting out the pain, one conversation at a time.” – James Meadours, National Peer Advocate & Survivor

close up of medical form with stethoscope

Open Enrollment and Disability: What You Need to Know

/in , , /by Pam Katz

Disability Open Enrollment Week of Action kicks off Sunday, November 17, 2019 — but you can enroll until December 15!

The Arc believes that everyone, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, should have timely access to high quality, comprehensive, accessible, affordable, appropriate health care that meets their individual needs, maximizes health, well-being and function, and increases independence and community participation.

If you are uninsured or looking for more affordable health insurance, visit healthcare.gov or your state’s Marketplace or health insurance exchange. During the open enrollment period from November 1, 2019 – December 15, 2019, you can review private health insurance options and purchase coverage. People with low and moderate incomes may be able to get financial help to pay for premiums and other cost-sharing may be available for individuals and families, depending on the plan.

If you have a disability or health condition, here are key questions to ask:

  • Is there a broad range of health care providers included in the plan’s network?
  • Are there enough medical specialists in the network to meet your needs?
  • Are needed medications included in the plan’s list of covered drugs?
  • Is there adequate access to non-clinical, disability-specific services and supports?
  • Does the plan have service limits, such as caps on the number of office visits for therapy services?
  • Are mental health services covered to the same extent as other “physical” health needs?

How to get help:

Purchasing health insurance can be complicated. If you or your family member needs assistance, healthcare.gov can help. Each state has health insurance “Navigators” to assist with enrollment. Individual health plan information should be available on the website.

If you already have health insurance through the Marketplace, open enrollment is a good time to see if your coverage still meets your needs. It is also important to update income and household information to make sure you are receiving available assistance and to help avoid penalties, if your income has increased.

You can also sign up for insurance outside of open enrollment, if you lose your job, marry, divorce, or have a baby.