SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 13 FOR THE FEBRUARY 16 [VIRTUAL] DC COUNCIL HEARING!

When I circulated my new page about changes in the DC council last month (https://www.ddinwdc.com/p/members-of-d.html), I expected to follow up quickly with another blog post.  But my life hit some rocky times, and here I am six weeks into the New Year with an urgent event looming.  So let me be brief, and focus your attention on this week’s performance review hearing on DDS, ODR and the new Mayor’s Office of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (MODDHH), February 16 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.  (This page - https://www.ddinwdc.com/p/blog-page.html - tells you about key terminology and organizations in the DC disability world.)  Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak, but you can submit written testimony in addition.

SIGN UP HERE, BY TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 13 TO TESTIFY "IN PERSON" (via ZOOM) ON FEBRUARY 16:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxEOds_QVzkjURJa6GK3eW6s1Don1Em54nVd2KA-90gREgQw/viewform

My focus here is on DDS.  This hearing is especially important because the new chair, Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, and many others on the Committee on Facilities and Family Services (CoFFS), are relatively new to disability issues, as are many committee staff (see https://www.ddinwdc.com/p/members-of-d.html).  As you prepare your testimony (contact Alison Whyte at the Developmental Disabilities Council - Alison Whyte (alison.whyte@dc.gov if you need help), think about these issues:

 -          What has been your experience with DDS’ intake office, and getting services underway, since new eligibility criteria for DDS long-term supports went into effect on October 1?

 -          Are you or your family member feeling the effects of the significant staffing vacancies providers are experiencing?  Do you think higher wages for direct support professionals, sooner rather than later, could improve this situation?

 -          Do you want to see annual cost-of-living increases in the personal needs allowance to keep up with inflation?  (People receiving residential supports from DDS currently get a flat $100 monthly personal needs allowance, an amount that has not changed in 15 years.)

 -          Are you satisfied with supports being provided by DDS (RSA or DDA) to help people find jobs, keep their jobs, and thrive in their jobs?  Would you like to see the DC government itself become a model employer of people with disabilities to set the tone for private employers?

 -          Do you or your family member feel ready to participate in day services and to re-engage in the community now that the covid emergency is formally nearing an end?

These are some issues receiving attention from DC advocates at this time - you may have others you’d like to address.  What’s important is for Councilmember Lewis-George and others on the council to know we’re here, interested and engaged.  SIGN UP! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxEOds_QVzkjURJa6GK3eW6s1Don1Em54nVd2KA-90gREgQw/viewform