JFActivist

JFAAN Forum: Reaching Out to Newly Elected Officials

From the Justice For All Action Network - Organizing Workgroup (11.11.10):

***** Please forward to your lists and networks! *****

Reaching Out to Newly Elected Officials
WHAT: JFAAN Organizer's Forum, Reaching Out to Newly Elected Officials
WHEN: Tuesday, NOVEMBER 16, 1-2 pm Eastern Time (10-11 Pacific)

Speakers:

Mike Oxford, Executive Director of Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, Co-Founder of Kansas ADAPT, National ADAPT Organizer
 
Mike has been an active member and organizer in the disability rights movement for the past 25 years. He served on the Board of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) for nine years; he is the immediate past president of NCIL. Mike served on the Board of the Disability Rights Center (DRC) of Kansas, the state's Protection and Advocacy organization, and is the Board President of the Atlantis Community in Denver, CO.  Mike also served on the Kansas Association of Centers of Independent Living (KACIL) Board of Directors and the Statewide Independent Living Counsel of Kansas (SILCK). Mike is involved in national efforts to promote choice, independence and freedom for people with disabilities through his work with the University of California/San Francisco Personal Assistance Services (PAS) project and by helping to draft language for national personal supports legislation such as the Community Choice Act, formally known as MiCASSA, and the CLASS Act. Recently Mike became involved with the University of Montana Nursing Home Emancipation grant. Mike writes and presents all around the country, offering technical assistance for consumers who are organizing, state agencies that are seeking to support people with disabilities in the community, and community partners who are finding new ways to promote choice, independence and freedom for all people.
 
Heidi Siegfried, Esq., Health Policy Director, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York
 
Heidi is Project Director of New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage; a coalition of organizations serving people with serious illnesses and disabilities and a project of CIDNY. She has served as NYFAHC’s project director for  two years monitoring and analyzing trends in federal, state, and city health policy affecting access to care and coverage; writing and presenting testimony, bill memos, and action alerts; and organizing and leading monthly roundtables. She has twenty years of experience in policy analysis, lobbying, and advocacy on behalf of women, children, older adults, and people with disabilities on a wide variety issues such as: hunger and poverty, rural transportation, work programs, privacy, civil liberties, housing and homelessness, and access to health care. She is a graduate of the State University College of New York at Oneonta and  has a Master of Social Work from University of Nebraska and a Juris Doctorate from SUNY at Buffalo School of Law.
 
Questions to be addressed include:

•   How do we establish relationships with newly elected officials?
•   How can we bring in community members with disabilities to meetings with elected officials?
•   How can we use the process of educating new elected officials to organize more people with disabilities?

Call in number: 712-432-0080 code: 193134#

CART: The call will have real-time captioning (CART)! The website for where you will be able to view the captioning is  http://www.2020captioning.com/livefeed.php?event=AAPD  Thank you to the Center for Disability Rights, Inc. of Rochester, NY for sponsoring the captioning of this call.

NOTE: We have set up a listserv to allow everyone to easily get notices about the Organizer's Forum, called disabilityorganizing@googlegroups.com. Please check your spam filter for an invitation that you may have received, or email jlehman7@gmail.com so I can add you.
Background:

The Justice For All Action Network (JFAAN) Organizing Workgroup hosts these calls the third Tuesday of every month as a resource for disability organizers, in an effort toward building the organizing capacity of the disability community across the country.  They generally follow the format of a Welcome followed by 2-3 experts in a given area speaking for 10-20 minutes on their experiences, advice and challenges. The calls conclude with a 20-30 minute question and answer period.

To ask questions via CART: Sign-in to the Chat function on the right side of the transcript and type your question.  One of the call facilitators will read out any questions posted there.

Because we want to maximize the generously donated CART services, we will be beginning the call promptly at 1pm and ending the call promptly at 2pm (eastern time).  A few other reminders about call etiquette:

·         Say your name before each time you speak
·         Speak one at a time
·         Speak slowly and as clearly as possible

So you can mark your calendars now, Organizer’s Forums are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.  If you have suggestions for call topics or presenters for upcoming topics, please email them to jlehman7@gmail.com or dcoleman@cdrnys.org.

Looking forward to talking with you all next Tuesday!

Jessica Lehman and Diane Coleman
Co-Chairs, National Organizing Workgroup

 

Just In: AAPD Joins Facebook Causes

From the JFA Moderator:

AAPD recently joined Facebook Causes as a way to get the word out about the disability rights movement and to make it easier for YOU, our dedicated activists, to contribute your support.

Take Action TODAY: Join or Donate to AAPD's Cause on Facebook and share these links with your friends.

>>> To Join the Movement

>>> To Support our Work

GAO Reports; Nation Failing Grade on Vote Accessibility

AAPD Press Release:

GAO Report Finds Improvements in Voting Access for People with Disabilities

More Improvements Necessary for All to Have Access, According to AAPD

 

WASHINGTON, DC – June 11, 2009 – Numbers released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office this week show people with disabilities had less impediments at polling places during the 2008 presidential election, but not all people with disabilities are able to access polls and vote privately and independently.

“In 2000, the country failed to make voting accessible to people with disabilities. In 2008, the nation gets a B-minus for making voting accessible,” said AAPD’s Vice President for Organizing and Civic Engagement Jim Dickson.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an interim report on voting accessibility Wednesday comparing last year’s presidential election to the 2000 election and the good news, according to Dickson, is there has been progress. The bad news, he said, is we have a long way to go and for voters who use wheelchairs, the nation still gets a failing grade for polling place accessibility.

In the 2000 election, only 16 percent of polling places were accessible to wheelchair users, according to the GAO report. In 2008, 27 percent of polling places were accessible.

Once a voter is in the voting room, 77 percent were able to vote privately and independently at an accessible voting station. Inadequate poll worker training is a major concern, In 5 percent of polling places, the accessible voting device was not plugged in or turned on, according to the report.

“Way too many poll workers discourage voters from using accessible equipment,” Dickson said.

An AAPD independent review of Election Day complaints showed that inappropriate poll worker behavior, from poor poll worker etiquette toward individuals with disabilities to accessible doorways at polling places not being utilized for voters, was the largest set of complaints.

The GAO will release a more detailed final report on the Election Day polling place accessibility findings in September.

The read the initial report in its entirety, visit http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-685.

>>> To read the AP article PROMISES, PROMISES: Polling places lack access

By KIMBERLY HEFLING

Disability Champion Needs your Support

*** Take Action: Support Seth Harris ***

From Tony Coelho (May 4, 2009):

Seth Harris Confirmation Hearing for Deputy Secretary of Labor May 7, 2009 10:00 am

JFA Member,

President Obama has nominated Seth Harris to be the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  His confirmation hearing is scheduled to go before the Senate on Thursday May 7, 2009 at 10:00am.

As many of you know, Seth has been a strong advocate for people with disabilities.  He has championed multiple employment and labor initiatives in and out of government to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  He provided essential leadership to the Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults with Disabilities, which I co chaired with the Secretary of Labor.

Now it is our opportunity to support Seth and champion his work on behalf of the disability community by attending his confirmation hearing.  I ask you to join me in showing your support by getting our friends and family in the disability community to attend his confirmation hearing.

Please join me in supporting the next Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris who is committed to advancing competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Tony Coelho

White House Meets with Disability Leadership

From United Spinal Association (4/20/09):

United Spinal Association Joins National Disability Leaders for Historic Meeting at the White House

WASHINGTON , April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented effort to increase access to the executive branch and promote equal rights for people with disabilities, President Obama invited CEOs from the Nation's top disability organizations, including Paul J. Tobin, United Spinal Association's President (www.unitedspinal.org), to participate in a White House briefing on the Administration's disability policy initiatives, and budget and recovery plans.

The invitation was the first time that an administration demonstrated a serious effort to provide people with disabilities an opportunity to influence domestic policy in a meaningful fashion. The President is also looking to employ people with disabilities in key positions based on merit, not as figureheads or solely in disability policy positions.

The meeting was organized by Kareem Dale, special assistant to the President for Disability Policy, who said, "This is truly a new day for people with disabilities."

Mr. Tobin said, "I am honored to be a part of this momentous gathering and commend the Administration for its willingness to host candid discussions on critical disability issues."

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President added, "Consider us to be your partners."

The President has proposed a four-part plan (http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/DisabilityPlanFactSheet.pdf) to empower people with disabilities, including increased educational opportunities by fully funding the Individuals with Education Act (IDEA); more employment opportunities by reinstating an executive order to hire an additional 100,000 people with disabilities within 5 years; improved funding for enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and amending Medicare rules that tend to restrict people with disabilities to their homes and nursing homes.

 >>> For Original Release

From the White House Blog (4/21/09):

(Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, meets with presidents and CEOs of major disability organizations in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on April 15, 2009. Photo credit: Yosi Sergant)

Listening

Last week the White House hosted a meeting of presidents and CEOs of disability organizations.  We asked Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, to tell us about it.

Unprecedented. That seemed to be the theme of Wednesday’s White House meeting with over 60 presidents/CEOs of almost every major national disability organization in the United States.

 

Valerie Jarrett, President Obama’s Senior Advisor, kicked off the day by discussing the importance that the disability rights movement had to both her and the President personally. And even though she had a scheduled flight that she should have left for a good half-hour before the start of the event, Valerie decided to attend anyway. It was an honor to see Valarie make that time commitment as a reflection of this administration’s commitment to the disability community...

For the full blog including description of the presentations of Trooper Sanders, Deputy Policy Director for the First Lady; Don Gips, Director of Presidential Personnel; Jeff Crowley, Senior Advisor on Disability Policy on the Domestic Policy Council; Beth Noveck, Office of Science and Technology; Robert Gordon, Office of Management and Budget; Jason Furman, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council; and Tina Tchen, Director of the Office of Public Liaison go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/21/Listening/

Comment Below: The White House is Listening, what would you like to say?

From the White House: Accomplishments for PWD in First 75 Days

From Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President (4/9/09):

Accomplishments for People with Disabilities in First 75 Days

      SIGNINGS

• Signed SCHIP, which will provide insurance to millions of children, including children with disabilities.
• Signed stem cell Executive Order, which will open the door to potential cures for many disabilities.
• Signed Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which will, for the first time in history, bring together the best minds across the country to collaborate on research, rehabilitation and improvement of quality of life for people living with paralysis.

RECOVERY ACT

• People with disabilities were included as never before in the recovery plan.
• Provided a one-time additional payment of $250 to people who receive Social Supplemental Income.
• Provided $500 million to the Social Security Administration to help reduce backlogs.
• Provided $87 billion in Medicaid funding for states.
• Provided $140 million in funding for independent living centers.
• Provided over $500 million in funding for vocational rehabilitation services to help with job training, education and placement.
• Provided $12 billion in funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

APPOINTMENTS

• Appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy with responsibilities in the Domestic Policy Council and Office of Public Liaison for the first time in history.
• Appointed a Special Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Personnel to focus on disability appointments for the first time in history.
• Appointed a Senior Advisor on Disability Policy in the Domestic Policy Council for the first time in history.
• Nominated a person with a disability, Kathy Martinez, to be Director of ODEP.
• Nominated Seth Harris, a long time disability advocate, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
• Nominated Tom Perez, a long-time supporter of the disability community, to head the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

OUTREACH

• President hosted a greet with 10 disability leaders following the signing of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.
• Vice-President led a delegation to the Special Olympics.
• Included people with disabilities at all public White House events.
• Invited Carmen Jones, an African American woman with a disability, to participate in the small group meeting with seven other small business owners to discuss issues with the President facing small business owners.
• Invited six leaders from the disability community to the signing of SCHIP.
• Invited disability leaders to participate in the White House and regional healthcare summits, including members of CCD, ADAPT, National MS Society, mental health groups, autism groups and many other disability groups across the country.
• Invited CCD to participate in the fiscal summit.
• Hosted outreach meetings with disability leaders and organizations.
• Hosting briefing and meeting for presidents of national disability organizations.

Comment Below: Is this list impressive or depressing? Anything missing? What do you agree with? Disagree? What would you like to see in his list for the second 75 days?  By releasing this list, the Administration has demonstrated a desire to be seen as an historic advocate for the disability community.  Do you see them as such?

Presidential Adviser Announced at Special Olympics

From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Feb. 12, 2009):

Biden praises Special Olympics athletes
By REBECCA BOONE

BOISE, Idaho -- Vice President Joe Biden says that President Barack Obama is committed to programs designed to improve the livelihood of Americans with disabilities and special needs.

To demonstrate his point, Biden announced that Kareem Dale, a former member of Obama's campaign in charge of coordinating the vote of disabled Americans, has been named the special assistant to the president for disabilities policy.

Biden made the announcement to a small group of Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and coordinators Thursday afternoon. The vice president was in Boise to attend a portion of the Special Olympics World Winter Games with a presidential delegation including U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Olympic figure-skating medalists Scott Hamilton and Michelle Kwan.

"This is a civil rights movement," Biden said. "There's a need to have changes in policy."

The nation needs policy changes that will ensure Americans with disabilities can get and keep fulfilling jobs without worrying about losing government-funded health insurance or other assistance, Biden said. Advocates have long complained that programs like Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and Medicare essentially force disabled workers to leave their jobs or prevent them from working so that they can qualify for the medical care they need ...

>>> For the Full Article

Two Disability Posts in the White House

Contributed by the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services:

Two Prominent Members of the Disability Community will Serve as Special Advisors to the President

At the Disability Pride and Power pre-Inaugural ball, it was announced that Kareem Dale would become a Special Advisor to President Obama on disability issues. We heard later that noted expert in Disability Studies Paul Steven Miller would be playing a role in helping the Obama Administration to ensure that people with disabilities will be well represented in positions within the Administration. Tony Coelho, former United States congressman from California, primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act,  current chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's national board of directors and a lead organizer of the Ball is also playing an active role in advancing disability interests and hires within the Administration.  Finally, note that the new Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison Michael Strautmanis is known to be very sensitive to disability issues, as referenced in a Washington Post Op Ed he authored last year.

Described Inauguration Now Online

With thanks to MacNeil/Lehrer Productions and Dunkin’ Donuts, the complete

2-1/2 hour described broadcast of the January 20 Inauguration coverage on PBS is now available online.

 

The URL is http://www.wgbh.org/inauguration

 

Click on the “Watch the complete Newshour broadcast”  link and a new window will open with a QuickTime stream. The actual event starts about 30 minutes in.

 

Apologies for the lack of keyboard controls on the QT video controls – talk to Apple...

 

The description is interweaved with the commentators – you’ll hear it when they stop talking and when the visuals aren’t described by Lehrer and his panel themselves.

Disability Power and Pride Ball a Huge Success

From Yahoo! News (Jan. 19, 2009):

Balls for a cause, dresses for less for Obama Inaugural
by Karin Zeitvogel

... Disabled Americans held their community's first ever inaugural ball Sunday -- their way of thanking Obama for putting them on the political map.

"The disabled community represents 54 million Americans and this is the first time they're coming together to honor an incoming president," Karen Lee, a spokeswoman for the Power and Pride Disability Inaugural Ball, told AFP.

"It's because Obama has taken up their cause," she said.

"He supports equal opportunity in education, employment; he speaks about ending discrimination and independent living; he mentioned the disabled community on the long list of people who helped to get him here."

"Obama sees us as part of the mainstream, part of the political landscape," Andrew Imparato, head of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) told AFP at the gala evening.

"The disabled community has a lot of hope for the promise of his administration," he said...

>>> For the Full Article

From Inclusion Daily Express (Jan. 20, 2009):

Disability Groups Celebrate Inclusion At First Disability Power And Pride Inaugural Ball
Dave Reynolds

WASHINGTON, DC--Two nights before Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, several hundred disability advocates celebrated at the first ever Disability Power and Pride Inaugural Ball, held at the National Press Club.

The master of ceremonies for Sunday's event was former U.S. Congressman Tony Coelho of California, who is credited with writing the landmark 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act.

Coelho said last week that disability groups came together to organize the event because they didn't want people from other inaugural bashes to "be patronizing and say, 'Let’s include some people with disabilities at our party.'"

Instead, he said, "we want to have our own party and reach out to everybody else" ...

>>> For the Full Article