OLMSTEAD: 20 YEARS LATER
This month, advocates across the country recognized the 20th Anniversary of the Olmstead Act (June 22, 1999). The Olmstead Act ruled that people with disabilities have the right to supports in the most integrated setting. Learn more about Olmstead here: https://www.ada.gov/olmstead/olmstead_about.htm
ADA ANNIVERSARY
Next month, we will be celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law July 26, 1990. The ADA bans discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, public accommodation, public services, transportation and telecommunications. Get the ADA Anniversary Toolkit to help you plan celebrations and learn more about the history of the ADA: https://www.adaanniversary.org/toolkit
Join the Annual Celebration in Boston. Details here: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/americans-disabilities-act-celebration-day
If you have an ADA Anniversary event going on, tip us off at the MFOFC News Desk!
Current Federal Legislation on MFOFC’s Watchlist
FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT & LIFESPAN RESPITE PROGRAM
From the ARCH National Respite Coalition:
The Lifespan Respite Care programs are coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for caregivers of individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. On June 12, 2019, the U.S. House approved an amendment to raise funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program in the FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education Spending Bill to $10 million.
All of the Massachusetts House Reps voted “Yay” on the amendment. Take the time to thank them for supporting families!
The next step is to get the bill passed through the house. Learn more and show your support here: http://bit.ly/31XHX2z
DISABILITY INTEGRATION ACT
On the eve of the ADA Anniversary, advocate are working hard to get the Disability Integration Act (DIA) out of committee and up for a vote. The goal of the DIA is to prevent people with disabilities from being forced into costly institutional settings by unnecessary government regulations.
Learn more about the DIA here: http://www.disabilityintegrationact.org/fact-sheet/
AUTISM CARES ACT
No news here. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in February. Track the bill at https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1058/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs
RAISE FAMILY CAREGIVERS ACT
Last year, Congress passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (S. 1028/H.R. 3759) requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop, maintain and update a strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. The Act required the formation of an advisory council. The council’s meetings will be open to the public, and there will be opportunities for public input. The council appointees have not yet been announced. Stay tuned for further updates!