March 2021 Advocacy Update
Have you encountered barriers when trying to visit local stores or restaurants?
It's super easy to file a complaint with the state Architectural Access Board (AAB), and you don't need a lawyer!
Visit the AAB website at here for more info. For technical assistance on filing a complaint, send an email to Michael Muehe, Access Analyst for the Boston Center for Independent Living at mmuehe@bostoncil.org.
From United Spinal Association
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 billion COVID-19 recovery bill intended to provide direct relief for Americans, fund the continued fight against the pandemic, and send aid to states and localities struggling to fund basic services.
As Congress continues working towards passage of this legislation, United Spinal wants to make sure that Congress understands the disability community's priorities and addresses them as part of this bill.
These priorities include:
An expansion of federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Medicaid HCBS is what pays for PCAs and all that goes into maintaining your independence. This additional funding to keep people with disabilities at home and out of institutional settings such as nursing homes is necessary to save lives, as we have seen a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in all institutional settings, including nursing homes. Moreover, studies have shown that HCBS is less costly to taxpayers than institutional care, and leads to a better quality of life.
An extension of pandemic-related federal unemployment insurance, at $400 per week.
An additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $1,400, fixing the issue that left adult dependents ineligible to receive them.
$14.2 billion to help with vaccine supply and distribution.
Phasing out the discriminatory subminimum wage for people with disabilities.
Please contact your members of Congress today and tell them that you support these important priorities for our community.
Autonomous Vehicles
Hello! We at the GBC are excited about making sure this new industry is accessible to all of us right from the start, so we hope you’ll register for the webinars below! Thank you!
U.S. Access Board to Host Public Forum on Autonomous Vehicles
Graphic of autonomous busIn March and April, the U.S. Access Board, in partnership with other federal agencies, will host a series of virtual meetings on making autonomous vehicles (AVs) accessible to passengers with disabilities. The two-part series will provide an open forum where members of the public and stakeholders can discuss considerations, challenges, and solutions in designing accessible AVs. All are welcome to attend.
“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to dramatically expand transit options for people with disabilities, so it’s important that they accommodate everyone,” notes Access Board Executive director Sachin Pavithran, Ph.D. “We are undertaking this series to share information and ideas to promote inclusiveness into design and operation of autonomous vehicles.”
Visit the Board’s website for further details or to register. Direct questions to Randall Duchesneau III at events@access-board.gov or (202) 272-0044.
Inclusive Design of Autonomous Vehicles: A Public Dialogue
Accessibility for Passengers with Mobility Disabilities: Part 1
This session will cover methods and technologies for entering and exiting autonomous vehicles.
March 10, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30 (ET)
Register for the March 10 session
The ePolicyWorks discussion platform will open February 22.
Accessibility for Passengers with Mobility Disabilities: Part 2
This session will address maneuvering and securement in vehicles and continued discussion of entering and exiting autonomous vehicles.
March 24, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30 (ET)
Register for the March 24 session
Know Your Rights During the Pandemic
Massachusetts has not invoked the Crisis Standards of Care (CSC), but it is essential for people with disabilities and their families to know their rights, especially if health care rationing does go into effect. In order to help protect the rights of those in the disability community, the Center for Public Representation and the Disability Law Center have put together a resource guide: “Health Care Rationing and Accomodations: What Massachusetts Patients with Disabilities Need to Know During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pZnlb9iUZHr2BP7t12r9barKukPCZgBQ/view?usp=drivesdk
Intersectional guide Crisis Care
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pcl75Y4eaY5WtXoOtjPhMkOFzSonRQM4/view?usp=drivesdk
Intersectional rationing guide
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pgh9GmjbibWRazk6yZnJFFS9hHv7ezJW/view?usp=drivesdk