DC Week of Action (and Joy)
Little Lobbyists' intern Grace Heuer writes about taking the fight to Capitol Hill...and rethinking what advocacy can look like.
Education
21 articles
Saving Medicaid: What You Can Do (by Jeneva Stone)
Now Medicaid is at risk for everyone. Did you know that 1 in 5 persons in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid?
Know Your Rights: The Community Integration Mandate
Did you know that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not ensure civil rights for people with disabilities?
25 Years of Olmstead Rights: James & Jenny McLelland’s Story
Little Lobbyist James McLelland and his mom Jenny were invited to the U.S. Justice Department’s celebration of the Olmstead Decision to share their story.
What Is “Section 504”? Disability Rights 101 (by Jeneva Stone)
The Rehab Act (as it’s often called) is the foundation for civil rights for people with disabilities in the U.S., and at its heart is Section 504, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability “under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
How Do You Stay Prepared? Let’s Talk
An hour later, disaster struck. My medically complex and disabled child was miles away and I didn’t know what to do.
Thank You, Lois Curtis, Olmstead Hero
Had Rob been born 15 years earlier, he would have been automatically institutionalized. Rob and my family owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lois Curtis, the “L.C.” in the Olmstead case.
The ENFit Transition: Advice and Information for Families
Many other families found out this fall when they began receiving mixed lots of supplies: ENFit and their usual. This is creating mind-boggling problems for tens of thousands of American families.
When Your Life Depends on Your Zipcode (By Rob & Jeneva Stone)
Rob has a rare disease, dystonia 16. Due its complications, Rob uses a wheelchair to get around, uses a tracheostomy to assist his breathing, takes his food through a gastrostomy/jejunal tube, and needs a lot of assistance to use his arms or hands.
Masks Keep Travel and Communities Safe and Accessible (by Katie Harmon)
Our family embraces everything about each of my kids–including disability, which we view as just another part of life and parenthood!
Living the Life You Want: Self-Directed Services 101
Because institutions and nursing homes haven’t gone away, and traditional providers are often struggling to make their own programs more flexible and community-based, there are lots of voices clamoring to be heard in state government deliberations.
Home and Community-Based Services Are a Human Right (by Jeneva Stone)
President Reagan knew this was wrong, so he created the Medicaid waiver program, allowing states to "waive" Medicaid's institutional bias for people with disabilities, like Katie, who wanted to get the care they needed in their own homes and communities.
Coping During Difficult Times: Safety, Control, Connection
Most of what’s going on in the world right now appears beyond our control; thus, we freeze. Recovering from a single incidence of trauma is difficult; recovering from a series of traumatic events is even harder, especially when the trauma is ongoing.