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Advocacy Center

TAKE ACTION ON THESE KEY 2024 ISSUES

Self-advocates and the community advocate for disability rights at a outdoor walk.

The New York State Executive Budget FY 2025 was just shared (click here). Gov. Hochul highlighted how people with developmental disabilities are “too often overlooked” and have “suffered from disinvestment and neglect.” However, the proposed 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is insufficient to meet the needs of voluntary service providers after years of underinvestment and ongoing inflation. Also, the independence of DSPs must be bolstered with a Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE).

We must continue to advocate for investment in sustainable disability services specifically:

–A proposed Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) as part of the New York State Budget to ensure agencies can raise the hourly rate of pay for direct care staff.

–A 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for disability providers to reduce financial pressures, from utilities to mandated fringe benefits.

How to Get Involved

Send an email through our one-click email campaign sharing your support with state representatives, here.

Set up a “lobby visit” with your representatives. Tips available here.

Share our social media posts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).

Learn more about 2024 legislative priorities.

*From The Arc New York and CP State

 

At the Federal Level

Sign the Petition: The Time to Invest in the Care Infrastructure Is NOW!

Life in the community matters for people with disabilities, and Medicaid home and community-based services help make that possible. But a lack of funding for these services and other critical care needs has created a care crisis that’s limiting the lives of millions of Americans.

We need immediate action from Congress now, including:

–Funding for programs that allow people with disabilities to live at home in their communities, without having to wait years to get the supports they need.

–#PaidLeaveForAll so workers don’t have to risk losing their jobs when taking time off to care for a loved one.

–Better pay and benefits for direct care workers, who perform a critical job but do not earn a living wage.

Show your support for a much-needed investment in the care infrastructure by alerting Senators and Congressional Representatives to the disability community’s immediate need in this one-click email.

*From The Arc of the United States