National Legislation News that Affects Individuals with Disabilities and Advocacy Alerts- New Horizons Un-Limited

Disability Legislation and Advocacy News:
National and Around the World

What's New in Legislation?

If you have recently viewed this page, after loading the page be sure to click on the refresh button on your browser to see the current version of Advocacy Alert! National and the articles below.

Sign Up to Receive Free National Advocacy Alerts!

Although you can visit this page for our updated National Advocacy Alerts! you may wish to receive Advocacy Alerts! on your own e-mail. Click on the link above, sign up and stay on top of important legislation.

Contact Your Lawmakers

Do you have an idea for a policy or are you concerned about a pending bill?

Believe it or not, your representative expects to hear from you. It is part of their duty to listen and entertain their constituents' opinions and contacting them is easier than you think. Whether you write, call or request an in-person meeting, there are some basic dos and don'ts you should follow in order to get your point across.

Know your audience and remember they are people too

Get to know your legislators. What is their personal and professional history? With which party are they affiliated? What are their committee assignments? What is their voting record on the issue that concerns you? What issues do they generally support?

Review their biographical information and visit their websites. When you know what they stand for and what their background is, you can tailor your message more effectively and even relate to them on a personal level.

Share a brief personal experience that underscores the issue

It's important for legislators to see the person behind the words. Sharing a brief story about how you have been/could be impacted by action (or lack thereof) on the issue is important.

Try to pull in an experience that relates to their personal life, their values, or their politics. We are all multi-faceted human beings and can relate in many ways on many issues. Find the common ground or at a minimum try to impress upon them that their actions can impact you directly.

Focus on just one timely issue (and keep it brief)

It's easy to rattle off a list of demands, particularly when we are feeling frustrated or dismissed. However, doing this will only distract from your end goal of being heard and creating the change you want to see.

Pick one issue, preferably one that has active legislation moving through the voting process or if your Member of Congress is close to a vote.

Be Professional

Identify yourself as a constituent right away; legislators are much more willing to entertain opinions from voters that are from their own state or district. When writing, make sure you address your lawmaker respectfully by including their correct tittle and congressional committee if applicable. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration at the end of your message.

If you are lucky enough to get an in-person meeting, dress appropriately. You don't have to look like a banker or a lawyer but you definitely want to avoid club wear, jeans and sweatpants. Business casual is a good example of what to wear.

Facts, Not Feelings

Before presenting your position on an issue it's important that you take time to fully understand that issue and policies. After introducing yourself, include a short explanation about why you personally advocate or resist a certain bill. It's ok to express a feeling as in "I'm concerned about this bill's provision for "insert issue here," but going on and on about your feelings doesn't help your lawmaker. While your personal story is very important, it will resonate more deeply if you use reputable information to support your stance on how a specific piece of legislation will personally impact you.

Use a respectful tone

Don't be rude. Plain and simple. Calling names, belittling comments and a generally rage-filled tone will get your comments tossed. While it is sometimes hard to keep our emotions in check (especially when it comes to your wellbeing), it's important to use a professional and respectful tone throughout your conversation.

A thoughtfully written personal experience that is backed by factual information will go a lot farther than an angry rant.

Stay Focused

Avoid getting off topic with stories or similar issues that are only tangentially related. It is tempting to fill a brief silence on the phone or a blank email with more examples but trust that your representative is grateful that they know your concern in short order.

Follow Up

Be sure to thank your lawmaker for their time and consideration at the end of your letter or if you met in person, send a thank you along with any additional information you pledged to provide.

To locate your elected officials, visit the House of Representatives online and the United States Senate online.

Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 | TTY: 202-225-1904.

Stay on top of important legislation

There are many ways to keep track of legislation:

Follow and subscribe to your state and federal legislators
Visit The Library of Congress
Follow and subscribe to advocacy organizations that are involved in policy

National Advocacy Highlights

President's 2024 Budget calls for investment in home and community-based services and lower drug prices

In March the President unvieled his 2024 Budget Proposal.

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

Did you know that organizations, such as Goodwill Industries, are authorized to pay disabled workers subminimum wage (sometimes pennies on the dollar) under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act?

This could finally change, thanks to the bipartisan Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (S. 533 / H.R. 1263), which will help organizations transition to competetive wages.

Contact your Congressperson and ask them to support fair pay for disabled workers.

Better Care Better Jobs Act

Thank you to U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) for introducing The Better Care Better Jobs Act. This act is a generational investment in home care! It will boost pay for grossly underpaid home care workers, free up family caregivers to return to the workforce and empower more disabled citizens to work in and contribute to our communities. Read a full summary here.

Your advocacy is needed. Call your Members of Congress and educate them on the importance of home and community-based services for people with disabilities. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Congress Approves ABLE account Expansion and Boost For Special Ed

A newly approved $1.7 trillion federal spending bill will bring more funding for special education while expanding access to ABLE accounts and addressing the use of electric shock on people with disabilities.
The legislation, which funds the government through September, was signed by President Joe Biden just before the start of the new year. Click here to read more.

50 Year Old Income Limits For Disability Benefits Lead To Homelessness

Each year, millions of disabled Americans face homelessness while being forced to sacrifice the dignity of work and family. Problematic Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules are a significant reason why. Since its creation in 1972, SSI has supported some of our most vulnerable populations. Yet while invaluable, the program penalizes labor, savings, assistance from family members, and marriage and will continue to do so until reformed. Click here to continue...

Bill To Help People With Disabilities Access Assistive Technology

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chair Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Congressman Joe Sempolinski (NY-23) announced introduction of the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act (H.R. 9028), bipartisan legislation to help people with disabilities live independently by expanding access to assistive technology. Assistive technology can range from a keyboard with large keys for someone with limited hand function to a text telephone device that enables individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to make and receive calls. Click here for more info.

Supreme Court Case Could Limit Disability Rights

A pending case before the Supreme Court Known as Talevski v. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County is scheduled to be argued before the high court on Nov. 8. At issue is whether beneficiaries of programs like Medicaid have the right to sue state and local governments — or essentially have any form of recourse if their civil rights are violated. Disability advocates worry that the case could also influence the right to sue under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bars discrimination based on sex, as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which speaks to discrimination based on race, color or national origin, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits disability discrimination. Click here for more info.

Disability Legislation and Advocacy News: National and Around the World