A Fair System of Supports in DC - Help Make It Happen!

As always, please refer to my page over to the right, “D.C. Disability-related Organizations and Terminology” if you’re confused about any of the terms I use in this blog post.

A few weeks ago (“This Week, Help Us Build a Better System of Supports in DC,” https://www.ddinwdc.com/2021/01/this-week-help-us-build-better-system.html), I invited readers – families of children still in the DC school system, as well as families and self-advocates who have applied but been turned down for services under DC’s IDD waiver – to participate in one of the community forums to educate people about current limitations on eligibility for that program and to learn about upcoming opportunities to help make a change! 

If you missed those sessions, it is not too late!  We need people to turn out for upcoming hearings before the Committee on Human Services of the D.C. Council and testify (virtually) like your future depends on it, at one of the following:

DC Council Committee on Human Services Performance Oversight Hearing for DDS, February 18 12:00-6:00pm. https://dccouncil.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Performance-Oversight-Schedule-DRAFT-1.18.21.pdf 

DC Council Committee on Human Services Budget Hearing for DDS, April 27, 2021 9:00-12:00noon https://dccouncil.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FY22-Budget-Schedule-DRAFT-1.18.21.pdf

All the details about how to sign up, or other alternatives for making your voice heard now, can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fEsjwuJA5Kx0-bGUCjWYg9nwx2Tpc-1U/view?usp=sharing.  There’s even more information at this link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15by34b3zrlHYgAipdgUeTPB6oOna7exr, and you can get more advice or help by contacting one of the advocates listed in the Call to Action.

All of this is tied to the efforts I discussed back in November (“Positive Developments in this Challenging Year,” https://www.ddinwdc.com/2020/11/positive-developments-in-this.html), with Councilmember Nadeau, who chairs the Committee on Human Services, taking a direct interest in getting legislation before the Council to correct this longstanding inequity.  That legislation is being drafted now, but it’s going to take your advocacy to bring the mayor and other council members along.  They need to hear from you! 

Sign up to testify!  Write to the Council!  Do it now!