We expect draft legislation for the next COVID19 federal response soon and lawmakers will need stories to convince some folks about how our needs are not being met. Here are 3 actions individuals can take to help advocate for more funding and support for HCBS and rejecting any modification of IDEA in any future Congressional package to address COVID-19. Please feel free to share these opportunities with self-advocates and others in your network.

1) Sens. Casey, Brown, and Warren are asking for examples of how and why home and community based services (HCBS) are critical to people with disabilities and older adults during this public health emergency. You can help by sharing your stories, photos and videos about what HCBS means to people with disabilities and the direct support professionals and personal care attendants who support them. Share what HCBS means to you by sending stories to xxxxxx@aging.senate.gov by April 10th. You can also share your story, photo or video on Twitter with the hashtag #WhatWeNeed. Please remember that once you share a story on line it is public, so please make sure respect the privacy of anyone you include in your stories. See attached letter for more information.

2) AUCD is also collecting stories from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities about how COVID19 affects them. You can submit stories about HCBS, social isolation, Click here to submit your story. Or cut and paste this address into your browser: https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=14627&parent=16&parent_title=Home&url=/template/index.cfm?

3) NDRN is sending messages to Congress telling them not to adopt any waivers for educational services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will report to Congress in the next few weeks and could recommend education waivers that would allow schools to drop services for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to send a message to your senators and representatives or copy and paste this email into your browser: https://ndrn.salsalabs.org/covidedwaivers/index.html

Thank you for your advocacy!

Sincerely,

Erin Prangley

Director, Policy

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

1825 K Street, NW, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20006