“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, deciding who to save is no longer a hypothetical exercise in a medical ethics textbook.” The other night, I found myself still wide awake in the early morning hours, trying to slow the rhythm of my breathing. I’d just read yet another article on the ethical dilemma of rationing health care in the face of the ever-growing coronavirus pandemic. I was terrified. I finally drifted off to sleep, only to have a nightmare that I was in a locked ward with hundreds of other disabled people who had all been left to wait out the effects of the illness without any medical intervention. At the very least, this was a sign that I needed to stop scrolling through social media before bed. But even if it was just a bad dream, it felt a little too close to our looming reality for comfort. To read more on this story, click here:As A Disabled Person, I’m Afraid I May Not Be Deemed Worth Saving From The Coronavirus
It is essential that people with disabilities are included in the Coronavirus relief bills moving through Congress right now. Help us tell legislators why! Use your cell phone or computer camera and take a short video of yourself. You can answer things like: 🤝 If I don’t have healthy staff to support me … 💵 Medicaid/Social Security make it possible for me to…. 👪 If my mom/dad/sister/brother can’t take time off work during this pandemic to support me…. Then post your video on social media with the hashtag #WeAreEssential. It’s important to include the hashtag so that we see your story! Click arrow twice to start video.
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, a time to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome and reflect on the freedoms and opportunities available to them. The cleverly designated date — 3/21 — denotes something unique to people with Down syndrome: three copies of chromosome 21 (instead of the usual two). It’s common for parents of babies with Down syndrome to experience shock, sadness and fear over the unknowns of raising a child who has intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serious health problems can add to the panic; about half of all children born with Down syndrome have heart defects. But veteran parents have a reassuring message for new moms and dads out there: To read more on this story, click here: 21 Things I Wish I Knew About Having A Child With Down Syndrome
Molon Labe Seating of Denver, Colorado has unveiled a prototype of a new airline seat that will allow Passengers of Restricted Mobility (PRM’s) to fly on airlines in their own wheelchairs. The Problem Currently passengers in wheelchairs can’t fly in them. They must transfer from their wheelchair into a Skychair to get down the narrow aisle and then transfer again into their airline seat. To read more on this story, click here:New Airline Seat Design Will Allow Disabled Passengers to Fly in Their Own Wheelchairs
Please sign on now! They are voting today! We need relief, funding, ppe’s, and essential staff recognition for our employees! Thanks ANCOR is issuing a third action alert this week because we have just heard that the Senate Republican and Democrats are working on competing packages for a third round of COVID-19 funding legislation. Because the negotiations surrounding combining these packages are creating new openings for the needs of people with intellectual / developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be heard, we are sending Congressional offices a revised message from the one we sent yesterday. This new message further hammers home how urgently disability supports need funding to ensure the well-being of the people they support during the outbreak, and also expresses disappointment that these supports have not been included in funding packages to date. It is very important that you speak up during this critical time when legislation is being drafted! To sign now, click HERE!
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Congress has passed two bills to respond to the coronavirus pandemic – but more must still be done to support people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professionals (DSP) workforce. The entire country is facing the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, but people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. People with disabilities are more likely to have underlying health conditions and live in poverty – this means that they will be disproportionately impacted and need ongoing support. To read more on this story, click here:NEW Coronavirus Relief Bill: Tell Congress to Include People With Disabilities
It is hard to find the words to express to you how much we appreciate all the efforts and sacrifice each RCM team member is making to ensure the people we are supporting remain healthy and safe. The way we are handling this crisis with a calm, cool and confident demeanor is impressive. People are working together, finding solutions to issues and making things work. We are just at the beginning of this crisis but if we continue to work together and openly communicate, we will get through this. We must ensure we are looking out for each other’s physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing as we move forward. We are fortunate that we are essential employees and our place in the workforce is solid. I know many of you may have family members who are impacted by the drastic changes that are occurring in our economy. We will continue to provide you with resources for food, childcare, and social programs that will help your family stay whole. Also remember we have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that can be accessed. This is a time for us all to come together, work collectively, look out for one another and communicate with transparency and sincerity. Please keep families involved and informed of our activities while understanding that this can cause emotional instability for many. Thank you for all you do, you are essential, and you are valued. This crisis illustrates the uniqueness of the work we do here and how we are different from other health sectors in the city. Together we will prevail and serve honorably the people who have trusted us with their care. Amy Brooks, CEO
The Arc is pleased that Congress is recognizing the unique and vital needs that people with disabilities have when facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency relief bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today includes important and specific measures that would help mitigate the potentially catastrophic impacts of the novel Coronavirus on millions of people with disabilities. To read more on this story, click here:Coronavirus Relief Bill: The Arc Fights for Disability Community
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has everyone spooked, and hopefully, taking steps to control the outbreak and prepare to get through whatever may come of it. But one group faces additional risks and consequences, as well as anxieties: people with disabilities and or chronic illnesses. Here are five points to keep in mind about how the coronavirus outbreak affects disabled people: 1. The people most often cited as being at serious risk are largely, by some definition, people with disabilities. While simply having a disability probably doesn’t by itself put someone at higher risk from coronavirus, many disabled people do have specific disabilities or chronic conditions that make the illness more dangerous for them. To read more on this story, click here:5 Things To Know About Coronavirus And People With Disabilities
People with disabilities are more likely to have underlying health conditions – this means that they will be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate support! This includes expanding access to health care, making sure that direct support professionals (DSPs), who support people with disabilities to live independently, can continue to do their vital work, and much more. To read more on this story, click here:Tell Congress: Include People With Disabilities in Coronavirus Relief Bill!
On March 11, we celebrated Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month for 2020 at Quality Trust’s annual “Better Together” reception. It is an opportunity for our community to come together and acknowledge the promise and potential that opportunities for inclusion and contribution can produce for children and adults with disabilities. Quality Trust also strongly believes that our community is richer and more vibrant when our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family members and fellow citizens with disabilities are fully included. We have seen that with support, people with disabilities can accomplish amazing things. A great time was had by all at the Quality Trust Better Together Reception. Thanks QT for all you do!
NPR did a wonderful piece on how the spread of the Coronavirus can and has impacted the direct care industry. RCM DSP Vanessa Jackson and COO Danielle Darby are both featured in the article. Another perfect example of why DSP's deserve a wage that reflects the important work they do. Check it out! #fundthedspwageact #NPR For millions of workers, remote work is not an option. Among them are home and health aides, who look after some of the most vulnerable, often themselves without health insurance and earning little. To read more on this story, click here:'Who's Going To Help Them?': Caregivers Brace For The Spread Of Coronavirus
It is #internationalwomensday and we are highlighting Gladys, June, and Marilyn! These three ladies recently celebrated 10 years at RCM and are committed DSP’s who are irreplaceable in the lives of the people they support. These ladies deserve a wage that reflects the complex, skilled, and high responsibility work they do everyday. Have you let #mayorbowser know that she needs to fund the DSP Wage Act yet? #fundthedspwageact #dspsrock #internationalwomensday #fairshot
Thank you ANCOR for making this happen! Disability Scoop: The federal government would track the number of direct support professionals for the first time ever under a new proposal designed to help address a shortage of these workers. The federal government would track the number of direct support professionals for the first time ever under a new proposal designed to help address a shortage of workers to assist people with disabilities. A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Monday would change the way that the government categorizes direct support professionals. To read more on this story, click here:To Address DSP Shortage, Lawmakers Want Nationwide Head Count
We are trying to invest in the DC DSP workforce through the DSP Wage Act, but the mayor has to fund it. Please let Mayor Bowser know that District residents with intellectual disabilities and their DSP’s deserve a #fairshot! #fundthedspwageact #mayorbowser Imagine you're a person with an intellectual or developmental disability. You're working toward living a full, independent life. Perhaps you rely on support services to accomplish daily tasks, develop skills and prepare for the job market, or attain other personal goals. Your opportunities to thrive depend on stability, and strong relationships with the professional service providers who work with you, know you and have earned your trust. Now consider that the turnover rate for individuals providing these support services in states across the country averages a staggering 43.8 percent. To read more on this story, click here:Fixing The Disability Workforce Crisis
Organizations dedicated to helping people with disabilities have existed since at least the 1800s, but as the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1960s, disability activists demanded equal treatment for their communities too. Judith Heumann, who had polio as a baby and uses a wheelchair, started her activism early. After graduating from college, she applied for a teaching license but was rejected by the New York City board of education, which called her a fire hazard. Heumann sued for discrimination and won in a landmark case, becoming the first wheelchair user to teach in the city’s schools. That victory put Heumann in the spotlight. She founded her own disability-rights group in 1970 and became an advocate for the independent-living movement. To read more on this story, click here:Judith Heumann: 100 Women of the Year
Description The following is for informational purposes only. You do not have to register. Established in 1987 by Presidential Proclamation, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month raises awareness and fosters inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life. More than 6 million Americans and nearly 10,000 residents of the District of Columbia with developmental disabilities live, work, play, and contribute to our cities and nation alongside neighbors with and without disabilities. The DC Department on Disability Services (DDS) is partnering with disability service and advocacy groups across the across the city to host an array of events to celebrate the abilities, interests, and talents of people with disabilities. Mark your calendars today to attend one or all of the following events and follow #DDawareness2020 on social media. To learn more about these events, click here:2020 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Celebrations
The room was packed on March 3, at Politics and Prose Bookstore for icon and activist, Judy Heumann’s book signing! Have you picked up your copy of “Being Heumann” yet?! #beingheumann
