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
(Page 2)
Why My Family Says “Disabled” Instead of “Special Needs”
When we say people have “special needs” instead of disabilities, we’re emphasizing “needs” instead of “rights.” In fact, disabled people have rights granted to them by law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A Reflection on the Healing Power of the Affordable Care Act
Today, the Supreme Court once again affirmed that the Affordable Care Act and Patient Protection and Affordability Act (the ACA) is the law of the land. An effort led by Republican Attorneys General to overturn a key provision, the ACA’s protection for pre-existing conditions, has been defeated.
Using Our Words: Being a Better Disability Ally
So let’s talk about a few terms in use by nondisabled people that are not preferred! These terms can be infantilizing, misleading, or derogatory. The best way to unlearn them is to understand why they are harmful and what we can say instead.
Rescuing Our Families: Home and Community-Based Services in COVID Relief (by Jeneva Stone)
HCBS COVID relief includes additional funding for HCBS to reduce waiting lists, and crucial support for home health care workers and direct support professionals.
Open Enrollment: Why the ACA Matters (by Jeneva Stone)
On December 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the latest effort to do away with this crucial piece of legislation, yet court-watchers believe the justices signaled a willingness to let the law stand. We can breathe a small sigh of relief, for the moment.
So You Want to Save Health Care: Here’s How (by Jeneva Stone)
If it’s not obvious by now, it should be: Health care forms the bedrock of a functioning and sustainable economy.
Keeping Our Families Together: Home and Community-Based Services 101
All U.S. states have Medicaid waivers for children. Many have adopted a specific child waiver known as a Katie Beckett waiver, named for the little girl who, in 1981, inspired Ronald Reagan to request the first changes to Medicaid that allowed children like Katie to leave hospitals and come home.
“If there is anything you need, please let us know” (by Kate Green)
In her first two years, Lorelei had more scary medical diagnoses, needed additional surgeries, hospital stays, and therapies.
What Does Medicaid Mean to You? (by Mark Morrison)
These stories that we have taken to Congressional offices can’t be boiled down to a representative few. Each and every child and family is different with different diagnoses and experiences.