Dear NACDD representatives and supporters,
We are all very concerned about stories we are hearing about institutional bias and the possibility of rationing acute care services and equipment, especially ventilators, because of
COVID-19. NACDD staff continue to advocate at the federal level to make sure the federal agencies are enforcing the strong anti-discrimination
provisions of the recent
guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services. We applaud the work of legal experts including state
protection and advocacy organizations, for their work to litigate
this issue in state courts. These legal experts and others need our help to educate hospitals and health care providers who are putting in place medical protocols to deal with
shortages in acute care staffing and equipment.
What can you do?
2) Send in your stories! You are the "eyes and ears" who may be aware of stories of institutional bias and medical care rationing. We need your stories to educate Congress on how this public health emergency is affecting the lives
of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our sister organization, Association of University Centers of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities is collecting stories through and easy to use online template. Click
here to
go to https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=14627&parent=16&parent_title=Home&url=/template/index.cfm?
to share your story. Or email them to me at xxxxxx@nacdd.org.
Thank you for your advocacy during this difficult time. Be well.
Sincerely,
