RCM - Revitalizing Community Membership: Empowering Independence: March 2021

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

My Voice: Amplifying the Voices of People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Medical System

L'Arche Greater Washington, DC posted a video to playlist My Voice.

We’re proud to announce that in conjunction with the DC Developmental Disabilities Council, we’ve released a new film highlighting the struggles and experiences our people with intellectual disabilities have faced navigating the medical system. With “My Voice: Amplifying the Voices of People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Medical System,” we hope to provide tools and solutions for medical practitioners, students, and advocates so they can improve patient experiences and ensure that patients both with and without disabilities receive the appropriate, compassionate care they deserve.

Learn more and watch the full video here: https://larche-gwdc.org/myvoice/?utm_source=facebook

(Click arrow twice to start video)

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Thank You, Dr. Randi Abramson!

Big thank you to Randi Abramson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Bread for the City for joining our COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for RCM employees!

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Mom and 10-Year-Old Grant $1.2 Million in Scholarships to People with Down Syndrome

Ten-year-old Ruby Plachta has Down syndrome, and as her mom Liz Plachta says, she "rocks" her extra chromosome. When Ruby was born, her mom was inspired to do something that would help other people born with Down syndrome see their full potential.

"I just felt this need inside to do something for the Down syndrome community," Plachta told CBS News during an interview with her daughter. "I really just wanted the world to see what I saw in her, which was that she was amazing and capable."

To read more on this story, click here: Mom and 10-Year-Old Grant $1.2 Million in Scholarships to People with Down Syndrome

Friday, March 19, 2021

People with Disabilities at High Risk for COVID-19 Are Now Eligible for Vaccination in Washington. What Does That Mean?

People with disabilities who are at high risk for COVID-19 — and their caregivers — are now eligible for vaccination in Washington state.

But how disabilities and risk are defined is not simple, and it will largely be left to individuals, their doctors and caregivers to assess who newly qualifies.

“In the world of disability, there’s not a super clear-cut definition. It really, oftentimes, is a personal thing,” said Robin Tatsuda, executive director of The Arc of King County, which serves all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “It’s hard to generalize.”

Stimulus Payments Headed To Adult Dependents With Disabilities

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, stimulus checks are going out to many people with disabilities regardless of whether they’re considered dependents.

The COVID-19 relief bill known as at the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law earlier this month includes $1,400 direct payments to individuals earning less than $75,000 per year, with phased amounts for those making up to $80,000 annually.

To read more on this story, click here: Stimulus Payments Headed To Adult Dependents With Disabilities

A Man with Autism Asks Future Employers to 'Take a Chance on Me' in a Heartfelt, Handwritten Viral Letter

(CNN)A soon-to-be high school graduate started his job search in a unique way -- he wrote a candid open letter and posted it on LinkedIn.

Ryan Lowry has autism and wants future employers to understand that while he may learn in a different way, he is worth taking a chance on.

"I realize that someone like you will have to take a chance on me, I don't learn like typical people do," Lowry wrote in the letter. "I would need a mentor to teach me, but I learn quickly, once you explain it, I get it. I promise that if you hire me and teach me, you'll be glad that you did. I will show up every day, do what you tell me to do, and work really hard."

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Disability Rights Film ‘Crip Camp’ Nominated For Oscar

It's OSCAR Time, if you haven't checked this out yet, please do!

A documentary about the emergence of the disability rights movement produced by former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama is up for an Academy Award.

“Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” was nominated Monday for best documentary feature.

The film follows a group of teenagers with disabilities who came together in the early 1970s at a summer camp near Woodstock, N.Y. who ultimately helped bring about civil rights protections for themselves and others like them.

To read more on this story, click here: Disability Rights Film ‘Crip Camp’ Nominated For Oscar

Friday, March 5, 2021

DDAM Event: Our Screening Of "Crip Camp."

If you haven’t already, please check out Crip Camp. And why not do it having some fun this Friday with the DDC?!

Grab some popcorn and join us this Friday at 7pm for the hit Netflix documentary. This event will have captioning. And stay tuned for our full calendar of events!

To register, click here: Webinar Registration

[ID: Poster of Crip Camp: An African American teenager is posing with his guitar and his friend in his wheelchair (A white, male teenager with a white T-shirt and black pants) in the campsite.]

It's Time to Acknowledge the Valuable Role of Direct Support Professionals in Our Communities

On the campaign trail, investing in caregivers was a key feature of President Biden and Vice President Harris’ platform. Since taking office, the administration has signaled that it intends to make good on its promises by including significant provisions for paid family leave, child tax credits and more in the president’s proposed COVID-19 relief package.

These efforts should be applauded, but they also serve as a reminder of the need to clarify what we mean when we talk about caregiving. Often, the moniker conjures images of Gen Xers caring for their aging parents, or young moms juggling career demands against the demands of parenthood after returning from maternity leave.

To read more on this story, click here: It's Time to Acknowledge the Valuable Role of Direct Support Professionals in Our Communities

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In March 1987, Ronald Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation that called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DD Awareness) promotes the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life and raises awareness about the barriers that people with disabilities still face in connecting to the communities in which they live. #CelebrateAbility #DDawareness2021

Monday, March 1, 2021

Exploring the Intersection of Black History and Disability Inclusion |US Department of Labor Blog

Black Americans in the civil rights movement have had a significant influence on America’s disability rights movement, with some playing crucial roles in both efforts. Much of the progress we have made as a nation achieving positive change for historically marginalized people and communities has been led by Black Americans with disabilities.

To read more on this story, click here: Exploring the Intersection of Black History and Disability Inclusion |US Department of Labor Blog

Help (Desperately) Wanted: One Low-Wage Job Has Become Harder to Fill During the Pandemic, Despite the Nation’s High Unemployment Rate

Important piece in the Washington Post today about the DSP workforce crisis that has been exasperated during the pandemic. Included are some quotes from our COO, Danielle Darby.

@bytheresavargas thank you for your advocacy for the disability community. Your pieces provide much needed visibility and knowledge!

#washingtonpost #dspworkforcecrisis #dspsareessential #notaminimumwagejob

Jobs requiring only a high school education don’t often come with signing bonuses — or any incentives — especially during an economic crisis.

That’s what distinguishes an ad that recently appeared on the Facebook page of the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.

“Now hiring,” it reads in magnified letters at the top.

Then, a few lines later: “Up to $600 sign on bonus. Plus, up to $6,000/year in educational and financial growth through our DSP certification program.”

DC's ‘ASL Bae' Says His Mission Is to Advance Equal Rights for Deaf People

Sanders has interpreted all kinds of speeches, events and concerts. The majority of his work is in hospitals, though, where he said he loves filling an urgent need to connect deaf people with the care they need.

Sign language interpreter Billy Sanders went viral as “ASL Bae” but he has a big mission: advancing deaf equal rights, urging Black men to become interpreters and getting HBCUs to start interpreter training degree programs.

To read more on this story, click here: DC's ‘ASL Bae' Says His Mission Is to Advance Equal Rights for Deaf People

twitter twi

Pages