*** Just In - Request from the President ***
Late on Friday AAPD received a request from the office of the President that we reach out to our community for stories about jobs that were created or saved by the stimulus.
The Obama administration is looking for any person
with a disability that has gone back to work or been rehired as a result of the
economic recovery plan. Many companies, industries and government agencies that
know they are in the package may already be hiring.
If you fit the bill, or know someone who does,
e-mail JFA@aapd.com.
Straight from the Justice For All Moderator (Feb. 13, 2009):
While a full analysis of how the new versions of the Stimulus Bill will affect our community is yet to be completed, this update covers the most significant developments of the week.
1. Thank you to everyone who mobilized around this issue and contacted their legislators. I received many emails from readers who had contacted their Senators and Representatives.
2. After having a version passed by the Senate, the Stimulus packages were reconciled in conference by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(CA), Representative Charlie Rangel (NY), Representative David Obey (WI), Senate
You can read the House and Senate versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 at www.readthestimulus.org.
3. The House has since voted 246-183 in favor of the compromised bill. The Senate voted late on Friday, Feb. 13 and passed the bill with the minimum requirement of 60 votes.
A preliminary survey of the final stimulus appears to have retained the majority of the disability related funding including:
- Vocational Rehabilitation $540 million
- Independent Living $140 million - $18.2 million for State Grants, $87.5 million for CILs, $34.3 million for older blind, and
- $12.2 billion for IDEA.
4. Once the stimulus has been signed, the work is not over. Next steps will involve ensuring the implementation of the stimulus package retains the promise. Making sure that we remain a priority as jobs are created, infastructure is renovated (ACCESSIBLE DESIGN), and science and education are reinvigorated.
More to come.
Click the links below for related articles:
NY Times:Deal Struck on $789 Stimulus
USA Today: House passes economic stimulus bill
The Washington Post: Obama Hails Stimulus Passage as 'Major Milestone'
You know - this email has been chunking around in my gray matter since I read it - so here is what I have to say and respond to Kareem:
Dear Kareem,
I read your request for stories of newly employed or re-employed PWD's. Could I please invite you into my parlor called "REALITY"?
The reality is that PWDs were and are mostly the first to be let go in economic hard times, and are seldom rehired. It is not always thought of as discrimination - just economic reality - the medical bills add a penalty cost to the health plans that the employer provides. It becomes a "business" decision.
Perhaps you will find such a story - but just one or a few stories do nothing to change the employment status of the majority of persons with disabilities,
Might I suggest that a more productive way to get the results you and we desire - is to send this questionnaire to EMPLOYERS. Ask them IF they have? Ask them What will it take to make hiring a PWD a Reality today - not next year. Ask them HOW Stimulus funds can best help the EMPLOYER to take those extra steps and extra burdens and How the White House can help.
Maybe some of the medicaid funds could support medical needs of newly hired PWDs for a term of six months to a year?
Maybe some of the Stimulus re-building funds could remove physical barriers to employees with disabilities?
I am sure we can all collectively add to the ways we as Americans can creatively assist in the hiring of persons with disabilities.
Please take this in the spirit it is written: one advocate to another; with no criticism meant or implied - you are definitely on the right track - but lets make this a high speed deal, not a steam engine deal!
Best Regards,
And Welcome to the White House from your fellow Americans with Disabilities!
Laura E. Williams, President
Californians for Disability Rights, Inc.
www.disabilityrights-cdr.org
When did we, as advocates, begin to accept the minimum requirements
of the law as the maximum inclusion we demand in our communities?
~*~*~
Posted by: L Williams | February 16, 2009 at 03:18 PM