On Monday, the NEIL Task Force met to discuss regional transportation recommendations.
My comments were around promoting universal accessibility and making statewide ADA visitor
policies compatible. Tuesday, I was in Alsip for our annual “Q” Leadership Conference.
Another sold out event promoting best practice.
The Senate Appropriations I and II Committees will be holding a joint hearing on PUNS in
Schaumburg. Here are the details:
Committee Hearings Date: February 11, 2014 Time: 7:00pm Location: Gym/Community Room Schaumburg Township Office 1 Illinois Blvd.; Hoffman
Estates, IL
Budget & Appropriations – Disability-related Programs Regain Little Ground in the FY 2014
Omnibus Appropriations Bill
A comparison of the specific disability-related program funding in the FY 2014 omnibus
appropriations bill enacted on January 17 shows that disability programs, with a few
exceptions, generally did not fare well. Many programs came in slightly above the 2013
post sequestration (the approximate 5% across-the-board cuts) amount, despite about
40% sequestration relief for all programs negotiated in the budget deal for FY 2014 and FY
2015. The fiscal relief is not evenly spread, with some programs receiving significant
increases and others continuing at lower levels. Overall, most disability-related programs
regained some of the cuts they received in 2013, bringing them just under their 2012 funding
levels. For a full listing of disability-related programs, view this spreadsheet from The Arc’s
website.
Civil Rights / Voting – Presidential Commission on Election Administration Releases Report
The Presidential Commission on Election Administration released its report, “The American
Voting Experience: Report and Recommendations.” The Commission was established by
Executive Order on March 28, 2013. Its mission was to identify best practices in election
administration and to make recommendations to improve the voting experience. One of
the commission’s areas of focus was voting accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The
Commission stressed in its report that accessibility of the voting process should be “baked in”
to each aspect of election administration. Additional specific recommendations for local
election authorities offered by the Commission include, establishing adv isory groups for
voters with disabilities to inform election officials and communicate with voters who have
disabilities; routinely survey polling places for accessibility and training poll workers on how
to interact with voters with disabilities and how to configure and operate the voting equipment. The Commission stressed the need to update and reform the standards and certification
system currently in place to allow for innovation in voting technologies.
Announcements
Introduction to New National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability Slated
The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability welcomes you to attend its first
webinar on January 30 at 12:30 CST, 1:30 EST. This is the first in a series of 20 plus
webinars taking place over the next two years as part of the Department of Justice-funded
project. Learn about NCCJD’s mission, goals, partners, products and services, and find out
how you can get involved and become better equipped to provide equal access to justice for
individuals with I/DD in your own community and within your profession. The webinar’s target
audience is purposefully broad to set the stage for more meaningful dialogue and deeper
networking between the criminal justice and disability worlds. Law enforcement and other
first responders, legal professionals, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, disability
advocates and other allied professionals are encouraged to attend this free session. Register now.
Contact Kathryn Walker at kwalker@thearc.org with any questions.
Health Care – How Has the Affordable Care Act Helped You?
As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to roll out, it’s important to show its impact on the
disability community. The best way to show the benefits of the ACA is by sharing stories of
individuals who are benefiting from the consumer protections provided in the law. And there
are many: An end to preexisting condition exclusions, eliminates high cost insurance because
of a disability or medical condition, and ends annual and lifetime limits to coverage.
Disability Policy Seminar – Early Registration Now Open
Make your plans to attend the 2014 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC April 7-9.
This event is the biggest and best opportunity for advocates to advance the grassroots
movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Register now and book your room at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Washington D.C. for a
special early registration rate at www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org and find out more details
about the stimulating program on tap for this year’s event. But act soon – special rates on
rooms ends March 4.
Hosted by: The Arc, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Association of University Centers on
Disabilities (AUCD), American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
(AAIDD), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE)
Promotional Support Provided by: Sibling Leadership Network
Paul Marchand Internship in Disability Policy – Applications for the Summer 2014 Session
Due Feb 15
For 38 years, Paul Marchand was a dedicated disability policy advocate and recognized
leader working on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and
the entire disability community. Upon his retirement in 2011, The Arc, with substantial
contributions from United Cerebral Palsy, other organizations, and individuals with whom Paul
worked during his decades in Washington, established an internship to honor Paul and to
continue to cultivate disability policy advocates. The Paul Marchand Internship Fund will
provide $3,000 per semester or summer session to assist interns pursuing careers in public
policy advocacy for people with I/DD. See Application information and Internship FAQs for
more information.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
