John,

30 years ago today, one of my political heroes, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, saw one of his greatest works signed into law -- the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Before the ADA, folks with disabilities had to endure a workplace, an education system, and an American society that refused to make space for them. Tom Harkin’s own brother was sent to the closest school for the deaf, hours away from his family, friends, and community because that was the only way to get an education.

The ADA made way for kids with disabilities in our public schools, regulated accessibility to buildings, and established programs and support systems for our neighbors to live fuller, more independent lives. From sports, to business, to politics, its passage began a slow march toward inclusion, equality, and dignity for folks with disabilities.

Yet, there are many challenges that remain. Members of our community with disabilities continue to face difficulties, especially during this unprecedented health and economic crisis.

Have you considered how folks with disabilities or our seniors get a COVID-19 test? Or how a person needing regular care gets the attention they need while protecting themselves from the virus? Or if pop-up testing sites will be wheelchair accessible?

We’re just scratching the surface here. But to be frank, a lot of people aren’t aware of the challenges facing Americans with disabilities and far too many of our leaders just aren’t listening.

Our state and federal governments need to be held to a higher standard, and I'd like you to help me raise the bar.

Here's what we’re fighting for:

Ensuring accessible testing for all people by making sure test sites are wheelchair accessible and have walk-up options, having an American Sign Language translator on site, and providing in-home testing where needed;

Protecting and expanding the Money Follows the Person Program so people can adhere to social distancing guidelines safely, comfortably, and independently;

Ensuring PPE for people with disabilities and caregivers;

Increasing Medicaid funding for at-home care so folks with disabilities can avoid nursing homes and group settings that have become COVID-19 hotspots;

Gathering data specifically related to folks with disabilities, including COVID-19 testing, infection, mortality, and outcomes by disability status, to better inform public policy responses;

Restoring the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 and additional rules passed in 2016, which created a residents’ bill of rights, improvements of patient treatment in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and penalties for failure to meet this standard;

Integrating the disability and aging communities into federal emergency response efforts by passing the Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion (REAADI) for Disasters Act and the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA).

If this sounds like a good start to you, John, sign our petition and demand accessibility and well-planned services for folks with disabilities in Iowa and across the country.

SIGN YOUR NAME >> [link removed]

Standing Tall for All,

J.D.

DONATE >>[link removed]

P.S. - I joined some local leaders for a virtual Iowa Disability Rights Roundtable this month. I learned a lot and you can too. Check it out if you can >> [link removed]









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Scholten4Iowa
P.O. Box 3531
Sioux City, IA 51102

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