The Arc of the United States is a key partner in the Inclusion International's Virtual Summit for Families, which will be held on December 8. The summit is an opportunity to celebrate families and be part of strengthening a vibrant family movement for inclusion that fosters solidarity, believes in the power of families to build inclusive lives, and enables social change through collective leadership and action.
Participants will hear from United Nations Special Rapporteur Gerard Quinn on the importance of family in securing the rights and inclusion of their loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through small group discussions, the summit will explore how families are connected around the world by their love for someone with I/DD and how that connection leads us to take action.
The event is free and will be held online on Zoom. It will be run in two time zones to make sure people around the glove can join. The summit is designed to celebrate families and is open to anyone who shares a vision for inclusion.
Save Our Services Zoom Rally
Join the statewide Zoom rally on Wednesday, December 9 at 11:00 AM and send a message to our elected representatives that I/DD supports and services are vital and cuts are not an option to balance the budget.
A fact sheet giving an overview of why we need to stand up and have our voices heard can be found here.
To join the rally, follow this link, or use the call-in number below:
Number: 1-929-205-6099
Meeting ID: 819 8581 4195
Passcode: 477149
COVID-19 Vaccine: Share Your Story
Our continuous advocacy to achieve Phase 1 priority status for vaccine distribution has already stirred the attention of the media and lawmakers. We anticipate media requests to speak directly with people with disabilities, family caregivers, and Direct Support Professionals about their desires and thoughts when it comes to receiving the vaccine.
If someone served by a Chapter of The Arc New York or other provider, a family caregiver, or a Direct Support Professional is willing to speak about this issue, we would like to connect with them and learn more about their perspective. We are asking this in advance so we are prepared to respond to media inquiries on tight deadlines. Stories could be shared at the national and state level. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts, please contact Kate Geurin or Philip Aydinian.
We have been diligently advocating on the state and federal level for the I/DD community and Direct Support Professionals to be part of the first wave of vaccine recipients. Given the proposed parameters set forth by New York state and the federal government to support vulnerable populations, we want to ensure inclusion for people with I/DD and the staff who support them. This remains an ongoing effort.
On the federal level, The Arc of the United States has advocated on this issue and can provide context and comment to reporters as well on this topic. They have shared the following points with decision makers:
- Allocation of scarce medical resources, including treatment and vaccines, should not discriminate against people with disabilities.
- The Administration should continue its enforcement of civil rights protections in crisis standards of care.
- When a vaccine is developed, allocation phases should be based on risk, taking into account health risk from underlying conditions, as well as risk from work or living situation, and address health disparities.
- Vaccine distribution must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Please contact us if you are interested in having a conversation. Thank you so much for your help with adding the personal perspective of people with disabilities, family members, and DSPs on this important topic in these unprecedented times.
The Arc of the United States National Update
Despite recent bipartisan efforts in the US Senate, a sweeping COVID relief package seems unlikely during the Lame Duck session. It is hopeful and likely that short-term extensions of select provisions from previously passed COVID legislation (unemployment, PPP loans, etc.) would be included in the package that will move around December 11, which is when the current bill funding the government expires.
We are also expecting a stand-alone piece of legislation to be introduced this week that would develop Section 30103 of the Heroes Act as its own bill. That language would provide a 10% Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) increase dedicated specifically for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). This has been, and continues to be, one of our top priorities. We are working with the offices that plan to introduce it to build bi-partisan support. Our hope is that having a stand-alone bill will make it possible to include in any COVID package that may come together in the coming days. Funding has been our top ask this year, so please lend your support to this campaign if you have not done so already. This is a national campaign, so share it far and wide.
President-Elect Biden's Plan to Support I/DD Services
President-Elect Biden has an extensive page dedicated to his plan for full participation and equality for people with disabilities. We would like to hear your thoughts on this plan and approach as we move into 2021. Please contact [email protected] with your comments.
Calls to Action and Advocacy Resources
As always, we invite you to visit our updated The Arc New York Advocacy page. There you will find our active campaigns and other information to aid us in our efforts to inform and transform on behalf of our community and loved ones. 
