Congress is putting together the next COVID-19 relief package, and we have to make sure that people with disabilities get what we need to make it through. Due to the pandemic, many community service providers are facing funding shortfalls and struggling to stay open, and without emergency funds, some will be forced to close — placing our community members at risk of being forced into institutions. This would be inexcusable at any time, but it’s especially dangerous in the middle of a global pandemic that has turned institutions into death traps. Join us next week to tell Congress that emergency funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) is a matter of life and death for the disability community.

HCBS funding has not been included in any of the COVID relief legislation passed since the beginning of the pandemic, but we’re about to change that. The House of Representatives has already included emergency funding for HCBS in their version of the COVID-19 relief bill — but so far, the Senate has not included that funding. Next week, we’ll be calling on our Senators to take a stand for lifesaving community services. Check out our action alert here, and make sure to join our Facebook event page to get updates, scripts and tips for your advocacy during the week.

Wondering what to expect from a call to your elected officials? Check out this guide to making a call to your members of Congress. Find phone calls difficult or impossible? Check out our Proxy Calling System here. Want to help someone else make a call? Consider signing up to be a proxy caller.

People with disabilities have been told all too often that we are not worth rescuing, but we know that all of us deserve to get the care and services we need to make it through COVID-19 safely. We’ve shown that our voices can make a difference — so join us next week, and let’s keep speaking out together!

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

 

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