PASS THE ABLE AGE ADJUSTMENT ACT IN THIS CONGRESS! ABLE accounts are helping people with disabilities across the country save money without jeopardizing their benefits, but there are more than 6 million people with disabilities who are not eligible to take advantage of this important savings tool because they acquired a disability after age 25.... Read more »
The Division on Friday released new guidance and FAQs about self directed assistance. This is important for families with home based services who use SDAs to help support individuals. Providers will hopefully see further clarity and flexibility around the SDA parameters. The Arc has advocated for the division to remain broad in their interpretation so... Read more »
Leadership Needed by Self Advocates and Families! The Division of Developmental Disabilities has a number of committees and meetings coming up where they are looking for direct feedback and participation from people with disabilities and families. I have listed below some opportunities for you to lift up your voices to help to improve the system... Read more »
Meet The Arc’s New Transition Mentors The Arc of Illinois is proud to announce its new Family Transition Project Transition Mentor Program, with the goal of ensuring that families, decision makers and others have the opportunity to hear directly from leaders with disabilities who have lived in institutions and now live in the community. Mentors... Read more »
STATE Speak Up and Speak Out Registration Out! Last year Speak Up and Speak Out sold out faster than ever before! Don’t miss it – register now! Here is the registration brochure. Call the Arc office with any questions. This year there is an even stronger focus on speaking up for our rights! Connect to... Read more »
July 26 – Today is the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Unfortunately this year, the rights of people with disabilities feel more under attack than ever before. I ask you, during the rest of the summer, to take time to stop by, call, email or ping on social media your representatives to... Read more »
Good News About Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) The bill to delay EVV implementation passed the Senate. This would positively impact families and individuals participating in the home based program where thie was going to have to be implemented asap. “Passed H.R.6042: to delay the reduction in Federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid personal care services furnished... Read more »
On June 22, The Arc of Illinois along with disability advocates across the country celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, which has forced states to offer opportunities to people with disabilities to live in the least restricted settings. On this day, we ask you to make TWO ACTIONS: 1) Join the... Read more »
Call to Families on Homebased who use Self-Directed Assistance (SDA). The Division of Developmental Disabilities has made significant changes to the services formally known as service facilitation. With the updated Adult Services Waiver and the implemenation of conflict-free case management, service facilitation officially went away and in its place came self-directed assistance (SDA). The Arc... Read more »
Hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating June and the passage of a new state budget. Today the Governor is expected to sign the $38.5 billion dollar budget into law. We are thankful that much has been included in the new budget – restoration of funding for DD grants, restoration of preventative dental care under... Read more »