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By Melissa Crisp-Cooper, Associate Director of Participant Experience, The Arc of San Francisco
Last week, I had the honor of joining 900 powerful advocates and allies from across the United States at the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC. During the two-day seminar, we heard from many self-advocates, policy professionals, Congressional staff, and members of Congress about Medicaid services and the vital role they play as a lifeline for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
For those of us with developmental disabilities, Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) funds much more than just our healthcare. It supports our day programs, employment assistance, and the direct support professionals who help us live independently and access our communities. Programs like respite care and family resource centers offer our parents and caregivers critical information to help us live full lives.
We heard from many policy professionals and individuals who work on Capitol Hill about how cuts to Medicaid funding would impact our lives. They highlighted the fact that many Medicaid-funded services like Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are considered optional and do not have to receive federal funding. We also learned how special education services may be affected by recent changes, as well as the importance of direct support professionals in the lives of people with disabilities.
Many sessions focused on how we could best communicate our messages to members of Congress and their staff. We learned that our stories are powerful tools to demonstrate to our elected officials how crucial these programs are to each of us.
The day after the seminar, our mighty California coalition joined a rally outside the Capitol with other advocates from the Disability Policy Seminar, who shared their impactful stories. At the rally, we chanted, “I am Medicaid, don’t cut me!” Then, we met with our Representatives and their staff to share our stories and deliver our messages: Protect Medicaid, protect special education services, and safeguard other disability services.
Whether you are an individual with disabilities, a direct support professional, a family member, a colleague, a neighbor, a special educator, a medical professional, or an ally of an individual with disabilities, your voice matters. Please urge your members of Congress to reject any cuts to Medicaid or other vital services that support the disability community.
Here are four ways to get involved and make a difference:
1) Email or call your elected officials: Click HERE to find your legislator.
2) Record a video message to share your story: Click HERE to share your story with The Arc so they can help get it to the right legislators.
3) Attend a disability rights rally next week during Disability Action Week: Click HERE to download flyer
4) Power our advocacy efforts: Make a donation to The Arc of California or to one of it’s local chapters.