New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
For more information, contact:
New Horizons Un-Limited
811 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 937
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 299-0124
Email: horizons@new-horizons.org
Federal and local Midterm Elections are mere weeks away. Have you been paying attention? Do you know what is at stake?
If you haven’t, and if you don’t, then it’s time to get to work… because your life may very well depend on it!
If you have a disability, or you are a parent, family member, or caregiver of a person with a disability, chronic illness or a pre-existing condition, as it’s referred to these days, you do not have the luxury of sitting back silently as your legislators cut your benefits. This upcoming election is about your very existence!
Disability is not political, it is part of the human experience, but there has been a lot of recent legislative activity slashing our nation’s social safety net, for political power and forgetting these programs are for people in real need….this includes Social Security, Medicaid, Housing Vouchers, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), among others. Chances are you know someone who does, or do yourself or you may realize you may need these programs in your future.
What would you do if cuts made it more difficult to live in a safe, affordable apartment or home, put a healthy meal on the table, hire necessary home health aides, access public transportation to keep your job, get needed medication or see your doctor? Even under present programs it is difficult, but have you thought about what you would do if these programs weren’t there for you or a loved one?
Not many years ago, the ONLY place for a person with a disability was an institution. Jobs? Forget about it! This cost our society both economically and in human potential. The hard work of advocates and legislators from all political parties, a few years ago reformed the system and made living and working in the community possible. People with disabilities are contributing, now, more than ever!
Ask of your legislators for reform and oversight rather than overboard cuts. We have made great strides over the decades. We must not step backwards, but keep our eyes on a future that values ALL people, and invests in their potential.
If you or a family member relies on federally and locally funded programs to help you live and work in the community, you need to pay attention NOW, you need to learn and understand what is at stake TODAY. YOU need to VOTE!
Over 25 years ago, Justin Dart, Jr. advocated for people with disabilities to wake up a very wealthy country to the medieval treatment and access conditions of over 50 million of its citizens with disabilities. Under Presidents Reagan and Bush the ADA was passed and in the State of Wisconsin, under Governor Tommy Thompson health reform allowed people to move from institutions to live in their communities.
Recently Ohio Governor, John Kasich, called for work from all legislators to act not on self- political gain, but on true reform, that just cutting Medicaid would not solve the issues facing the people of our nation.
Right Now!!! Primaries are already underway in some states, and most candidates will be confirmed by the end of summer. Read as much as you can on every candidate in your state or district. Vote in the primaries!
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 you will have the opportunity to choose an array of local and federal officials (most notably the United States House of Representatives). Do not squander this opportunity. You have just under four months to educate yourself on the issues and candidates.
We will print more information and resources on the upcoming election on our website. Check there at NHU Legislative News
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