DD Council Network

Please see the links and resources attached and below from our NACDD All Call on May 12, 2021.

Policy Update: NACDD Director of Public Policy, Erin Prangley. (Attached)

1) Emergency Broadband Benefit program launches today/EBB social toolkit/5/19 webinar 2pm ET
Let’s get more communities and families digitally connected! Today, May 12, 2021, marks the launch of the temporary, federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. This program, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is geared toward connecting more households to the internet at a time when we rely on digital connectivity more than ever before. Reliable and affordable access to the internet is essential for everything from telemedicine appointments to digital and remote learning. Unfortunately, people in the United States pay some of the highest prices in the world to access the internet. Lack of internet access has long been a problem across the country, and financial hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has made access to the internet even more unaffordable. 

The pandemic has shown us that broadband has become an essential resource in our daily lives. That’s why The Leadership Conference pushed Congress to implement this new EBB program, to help make sure more people can afford to stay connected to the internet during the current public health and economic crisis. Beginning today, eligible households may apply for this short-term program, which will provide up to $50 monthly toward the cost of broadband service.

Eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. They can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Spread the Word!
In an effort to connect as many households as possible to this program, The Leadership Conference, in partnership with Neta Collab has created a social toolkit for you to help us spread the word about the EBB program on social media platforms. This toolkit consists of information about the program, sample graphics, posts, hashtags, and emails for you to share with your networks. We are also providing a Spanish version of the toolkit.

Remember, #GetConnectedEBB begins today, and we need your help. Please also make a note to join us for an EBB webinar on Wednesday, May 19 at 2 pm ET to learn more about this program and how we can get our communities connected. Register here.

Webinar speakers:

• Cheryl Leanza, Policy Advisor, United Church of Christ OC Inc. 
• Kate Ruane, Senior Legislative Counsel, ACLU
• Brandon Forester, National Organizer for Internet Rights and Platform Accountability, MediaJustice
• Daiquiri Ryan, Co-founder, Neta Collab
• Moderator: Anita Banerji, Consultant, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights  

Hope to see you then! Also don’t forget to share #GetConnectedEBB, connecting on social media platforms to help spread the word of the EBB program. For more information, contact Anita Banerji, xxxxxx@gmail.com. -The EBB Team at The Leadership Conference

2) COVID-19 and Vaccine Survey Project

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has released two research products that resulted from the AAHD Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Among Adults with Disabilities, a rapid, real-time online study of the perspectives of adults with disabilities on the COVID-19 Vaccine. Please visit the URL below to view the Vaccine Hesitancy Summary of Findings and the COVID-19 Vaccine and Disability Survey Vaccine Hesitancy Among Adults with Disabilities Research Report. (aahd.us/dissemination/covid-19-and-vaccine-survey-project)

3) Job posting to share:

Sharing this job posting in case you know of someone interested. Posting for Project Director - NH Leadership Series UNH Institute on Disability

https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/40144

4) May is mental health month.

Please see a link to resources on I/DD and Racial Disparities from the Center for START Services.

The START Model
The START program model was implemented in 1988 by Dr. Joan B. Beasley and her team to provide community-based crisis intervention for individuals with IDD and mental health needs. The model is evidence-informed and utilizes a national database. It is a person-centered, solutions-focused approach that employs positive psychology and other evidence-based practices.  

START is a comprehensive model of service supports that optimizes independence, treatment, and community living for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs. In the 2002 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on mental health disparities for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, START was cited as a model program. In 2016, the START model was identified as best practice by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine.

To learn more about START, watch this START Overview presentation by Dr. Joan B. Beasley

Webpage link for Diversity and Inclusion Resources for START Services
https://centerforstartservices.org/diversity-inclusion

5) Virtual Meetings:

Check the ITACC website under Council Staff/Additional Resources and Information tab for the Engaging Councils in Virtual Meetings document.
https://itacchelp.org/resources/council-staff/

REMINDER: NACDD Self-Advocacy Discussion Series – May 20^th at 4pm Eastern. If you need additional information, contact xxxxxx@nacdd.org

If you need help with any of these links, please contact me directly. I am happy to help.

Stay well

Angela

Angela Castillo-Epps

xxxxxx@nacdd.org
410-236-9920 (Direct)

NACDD

Nacdd.org