"For the people in this population who get to experience employment, it's a chance to prove to themselves and to others that they can contribute value. For so much of their lives, it's apparent to them that they're different. Many of the people they encounter don't have high expectations for their abilities. But employment flips that on its head. Not only does the company benefit from the person's work, but the neurotypical coworkers have their conceptions challenged and, if the employee with IDD works in a front-facing role, the customers do, too. Best of all, the person with IDD realizes how much more capable they are than they previously thought."

Show your thanks and gratitude for those in and around Dane County for their hard work and efforts to improve the lives of those with IDD and their families and friends by nominating them for a 2023 Arc-Dane County Community Award. Join us as we celebrate area individuals, groups, and organizations on May 31st at Quivey's Grove.

Virtual Budget Listening Session​​​ Wednesday, December 14, 2022 @ 6:00 pm

Great work by the students at the UW Madison School of Journalism who chose to tell the story of those in with disabilities and the advocacy efforts in our community in their latest issue of Curb Magazine.

There will be a sign language interpreter at the online forums. If you have any additional accessibility needs, please contact DHSDMSCommunications@dhs.wisconsin.gov by Monday, December 12.

Email your feedback to dhsltccomments@dhs.wisconsin.gov(link sends e-mail)

While December 15 is the deadline for consumers to sign up for coverage with a January 1 start date, the Healthcare.gov open enrollment period runs until January 15. Get more information about how to find affordable health insurance during open enrollment on the DHS website.

The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 331 / H.R. 1219) was introduced by Senator Casey (D-PA) in the Senate and Representative Cárdenas (D-CA) and Representative McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) in the House of Representatives. This bill will increase the age eligibility for ABLE accounts from 26 to 46.

On June 22^nd, the Senate Finance Committee marked-up the Enhancing American Retirement Now Act (EARN Act), which is a part of the larger retirement reform bill (SECURE 2.0). The ABLE Age Adjustment Act was included in the EARN Act as part of the mark-up. ABLE accounts are tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities to save money, while not disqualifying them from federal benefits like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. AUCD recently signed on to this letter from the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination. AUCD and other partners are working to have the ABLE Age Adjustment Act included in an end of year omnibus package.

Learn more about ABLE accounts at the ABLE National Resource Center. Call your Members of Congress and educate them about the importance of ABLE accounts for those ages 26-46. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Budget and Appropriations  

The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations (LHHS) bill funds almost all disability programs. A continuing resolution (CR) was passed on September 29^th, which extends funding for the federal government through December 16^th. Congress is now working to try to come to agreement to complete the process before the end of the year.

As background, July 28^th, Chairman Leahy (D-VA) released the Chairman’s mark of the 12 appropriations bills in the Senate for Fiscal Year 2023. The LHHS subcommittee marked-up the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bills and Revised Report on the Subcommittee Allocations for the House of Representatives for Fiscal Year 2023.

Plain Language 

The Fiscal Year runs from October 1^st – September 30^th each year. The Senate Democrats have released their funding (budget) bills for Fiscal Year 2023. The House of Representatives has passed its bill through Committee. The House of Representatives and Senate did not finish the budget work by the deadline of October 1^st, so an extension has been given until December 16^th. The House and Senate are working to finish the process before the end of the year.

Action Steps 

Call your Members of Congress and educate them on the importance of quickly finalizing the LHHS bills to fund federal programs. You can reach your members by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. 

Read the entire update here.

All year long, advocates from The Arc have been fighting for critical programs and life-sustaining priorities for people with disabilities. In this end-of-the-year package, we are fighting to:

On December 1, Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) reintroduced the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act (S.5136) , legislation that would expand protections for family caregivers from discrimination by their employers. Currently, many caregivers are ineligible for any form of protection under federal law and continue to face discrimination in the workplace due to their family caregiving responsibilities. The legislation would prohibit employers from firing or taking other adverse employment action against workers who are caregivers for their loved ones. The Arc has endorsed this bill. You can read more about the bill here.