News Archive
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault and violence disproportionately affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), with findings from NPR revealing that people with I/DD are assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. The … Continue reading →
Happy National Volunteer Week and Month! Every day at chapters around the country, volunteers with and without disabilities work together to serve each other and the communities. This month, we honor all volunteers who selflessly give their time to make … Continue reading →
Chris Miller, James Meadours, and Kecia Weller Every day, in every community across the U.S., people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are being sexually assaulted. Too many have a story to tell, and yet few are ever heard. The … Continue reading →
The Arc of the Central Mountains recently opened their doors to support people through advocacy, outreach, and policy in a rural area of the Colorado mountains. They immediately found themselves in court supporting some of these individuals. One of these … Continue reading →
Washington, DC – The Arc has joined an amicus brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case Texas v. United States. The brief supports the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care … Continue reading →
On March 26, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), John Katko (R-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), David McKinley (R-WV), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Glen Thompson (R-PA) introduced … Continue reading →
The post Education: IDEA Full Funding Act Reintroduced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 25, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a letter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stating it agreed with the ruling of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas in United … Continue reading →
The post Health: DOJ to Argue Court Should Invalidate Entire ACA appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 27, a judge in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia issued two rulings striking down Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky. The opinions direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconsider … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid: Federal Court Strikes Down Medicaid Work Requirements appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 3, the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) will host a webinar titled Person and Family-Centered Planning for Respite. The webinar will focus on the importance of person and family-centered planning for caregivers. NCAPPS is … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: NCAPPS to Host Webinar on Person and Family-Centered Planning for Respite appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Washington, DC – It’s budget season in Washington, DC, and there’s a lot at stake in the proposals for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In the last few years, the Administration has consistently proposed cuts to programs that … Continue reading →
Washington, DC – The Arc released the following statement in response to the federal court ruling against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ approval of Medicaid waiver projects in Kentucky and Arkansas that include work requirements. “We are … Continue reading →
#HandsOff is a series on The Arc Blog. Each month, we feature a story from individuals and families across The Arc’s network about how some of today’s key policy issues impact their day to day lives. By: Erik Smith I … Continue reading →
On March 22, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY) released a draft budget resolution for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The budget proposes to reduce the deficit by $538 billion over five years compared to current law, primarily through reductions … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: Senate Republicans Release FY 2020 Budget Resolution With Instructions That Could Affect Medicaid appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 18, Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Max Rose (D-NY), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) reintroduced the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (H.R.1814). This bill amends the Stephen … Continue reading →
The post Tax Policy: ABLE Age Adjustment Act Reintroduced in House appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
In December 2018, The Arc filed an amicus brief before the New York Supreme Court in People v. McCollum in support of an adult man with autism charged with unauthorized driving of city trains and buses. In an unprecedented decision, … Continue reading →
On March 11, President Trump released his fiscal year (FY) 2020 Budget Request. The budget proposes $2.7 trillion in cuts over 10 years, including cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act programs, and non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs. NDD programs – … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President Releases FY 2020 Budget Request Documents appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Today, the Trump Administration released a budget request that if passed by Congress, would put the lives of people with disabilities at risk. The proposal includes deep cuts to Medicaid, the core program providing access to health care and home … Continue reading →
On March 7, Senators Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019 (S.695). This bill would create “Military Education Savings Accounts” that parents serving in the military … Continue reading →
The post Education: Military Education Savings Account Bill Introduced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 7, a Federal District Court judge overturned the Education Department’s (ED) decision to delay implementation of the 2016 significant disproportionality rule because it was “arbitrary and capricious” and the department “failed to provide a reasoned explanation” for its … Continue reading →
The post Education: Federal Judge Vacates ED Decision to Delay IDEA Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality Rule appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 6, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative James Langevin (D-RI) reintroduced the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S.669, H.R.1549). This bill improves accessibility of air travel for people with disabilities by creating a private right of action for … Continue reading →
The post Transportation: Air Carrier Access Amendments Act Reintroduced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
In 2014, The Arc of Northern Virginia collaborated with software partner ONEder to develop the award-winning TravelMate program. TravelMate provides virtual support on a smartphone or tablet, facilitating more independence using the bus, train, and other transportation. By the end … Continue reading →
#HandsOff is a series on The Arc Blog. Each month, we feature a story from individuals and families across The Arc’s network about how some of today’s key policy issues impact their day to day lives. By: Julie Ross, The … Continue reading →
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a per curiam (published in the name of the Court rather than specific judges) opinion today reversing the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) and finding that Bobby Moore is a person with intellectual disability … Continue reading →
On February 15, President Trump signed a bill funding the seven remaining appropriations packages for the remainder of FY 2019, which ends September 30. The passage of this bill means that the government will not be shut down over appropriations … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President Signs Full-Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Appropriations Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 13, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee held a hearing on proposed legislation that would reverse current administration policies on implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), such as the reduction in funding for programs that … Continue reading →
The post Health Care: House Committee Holds Hearing on Legislation to Reverse Administration Policies on ACA Implementation appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 14, the Senate confirmed Attorney General William Barr with a vote of 54-45. The Attorney General is a cabinet level position in charge of the Department of Justice, which is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws, including … Continue reading →
The post Rights: Senate Approves William Barr as Attorney General appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 5, the Department of Education issued an FAQ document clarifying situations in which schools can share personally identifiable information protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) with law enforcement. This document was compiled from existing guidance … Continue reading →
The post Education: Education Department Releases FAQ on FERPA and School Safety Issues appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Congress has until midnight on Friday, February 15 to reach agreement on a spending bill for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State, and Transportation. Negotiations appear to have stalled over the weekend … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: Deadline for Spending Agreement Approaching; Another Partial Government Shutdown Is Possible appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Senators Robert Casey (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (SWIFT Act; S.345). The bill seeks to fix outdated … Continue reading →
The post Social Security: Bill Introduced to Enhance Benefits for Widow(er)s With Disabilities appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 29, Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) introduced two bills related to employment for people with disabilities. The first bill, the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (S.260), will phase out 14(c) subminimum wage certificates over six years and provides grants … Continue reading →
The post Employment: Two Employment Bills Introduced in the Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 7, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) introduced the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019 (S.427, H.R.1058). The Autism CARES Act funds … Continue reading →
The post Autism: Autism CARES Act Reauthorization Introduced in Senate and House appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 7, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General. The Attorney General is a cabinet level position in charge of the Department of Justice, which is responsible for enforcing … Continue reading →
The post Rights: Senate Committee Approves Nominee for Attorney General appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) will serve as Chair of the full committee and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will serve as Ranking Member. Additionally, the following will serve as Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members, respectively: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education: … Continue reading →
The post Congress: House Education and Labor Committee Leadership Announced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 16, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and 10 other Senators introduced the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education Act (CHOICE) Act. The CHOICE Act amends the Scholarship for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which provides … Continue reading →
The post Education: Senators Introduce School Voucher Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Arc and the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have released Disability Perspectives on Paid Leave: A Qualitative Analysis of Leave-taking Among Workers Affected by Disabilities or Serious Health Conditions. … Continue reading →
The post Income Support: Workers Speak Out on Disability and Health: New Report on Paid Family Leave and the Disability Angle appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Registration is open for the for the 2019 Disability Policy Seminar, the premier event for cultivating champions on Capitol Hill and advancing the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Join other passionate advocates and professionals from around … Continue reading →
The post Miscellaneous: Attend the Disability Policy Seminar on April 8-10 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Today, The Arc of the United States (The Arc) and the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health are releasing Disability Perspectives on Paid Leave: A Qualitative Analysis of Leave-taking Among Workers Affected … Continue reading →
The criminal justice system is filled with gaps in how it navigates and addresses the needs of people with disabilities. In an effort to address this, Kyle Piccola and Ana Martinez are leading education efforts at The Arc of Texas. … Continue reading →
On January 25, President Trump announced a deal to re-open the government until February 15 with the expectation that negotiations on a longer term deal would occur during that time. The Senate and the House of Representatives both passed a … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President Trump Signs Short-Term Funding Bill Ending Partial Government Shutdown appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 24, 2019, the President signed into law H.R. 259, the “Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019,” which extends the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. The measure provides 3 months of funding for the MFP program, which states have … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid/LTSS: Short-Term MFP Extension Signed Into Law appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 24, Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Scholarship for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which provides private school vouchers for low-income students in the District of Columbia. … Continue reading →
The post Education: Senators Introduce DC School Voucher Reauthorization appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 was signed by President Trump. A three-month funding extension for Money Follows the Person (MFP) was included in this bill. This program moves people with disabilities from institutions into the community by … Continue reading →
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a day to celebrate compassion for everyone in our community, and to take action to address social problems and build stronger communities. This MLK Day and throughout 2019, several chapters of The … Continue reading →
On January 18, the House passed a six-week continuing resolution (CR) by voice vote to extend temporary funding through February 28 for agencies that are not presently funded. The CR contains six spending bills that were negotiated by the House … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: House Passes Funding Bills to End Partial Government Shutdown appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 17, the Senate approved H.R.259, which extends the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program until September 30. The MFP program has helped more than 88,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid/LTSS: Senate Approves MFP Extension appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 15, Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reintroduced the Disability Integration Act (H.R.555/S.117). The Disability Integration Act requires states to offer community-based options. Additionally, it requires states to address the need for affordable housing. ADAPT … Continue reading →
The post Rights/LTSS: Disability Integration Act Reintroduced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Today, in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement of an initiative to address the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities, Julie Ward, The Arc’s Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy, issued the following statement: … Continue reading →
The Asbury Park Press, in a front page article, highlights the formation of a Down syndrome and dementia support group. The report includes insights from The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Director Beverly Roberts and brings attention to a very important issue.
