the Independent blog

Summary/ History of the Issue

In order to maintain independent living in the community, or to return to the community after institutional placement, people with disabilities and those living with the effects of aging need affordable, accessible and integrated housing options.  

In addition, any house built today has a realistic expectation of being used for the next 75 to 100 years. During that period of time it is expected that there will be a significant increase in people with disabilities and those living with the effects of aging who will continue to live in the community.

The reality is that people with disabilities, and those living with the effects of aging, when given a choice, choose overwhelmingly to live in the community. However, our communities lack the capacity to provide these people with real options for accessible, integrated and affordable housing.

Freedom Resource Center’s Position

We support efforts that will increase accessible, affordable, and integrated housing options in the community for people with disabilities.

Relevant Public Policy principles

• We will identify and develop partnerships with organizations and/or individuals interested in implementing basic access in new homes
  • We support Federal Visitability legislation.
• We support the efforts of agencies that promote compliance with the Fair Housing Law.
  • We support efforts to create more accessible, affordable, and integrated housing throughout our service area.
  • We support the broad enforcement of housing discrimination laws
  • We will develop a system that evaluates new apartments for accessibility

Join us in our efforts to create an equal opportunity for all to have a place they can call home. In order to eliminate this barrier toward independence, we must apply constant pressure on our elected officials to enforce the ADA regulations as well as support affordable public housing. It will not be an easy barrier to overcome due to current economic trends, however it is an effort worthy of acknowledgment and one we vow to continue.

Summary/History of the Issue

Qualified Service Providers (QSP’s) and Personal Care Attendants (PCA’s) are the backbone of home and community based services for people who need assistance to live independently. These fields have traditionally paid at a lower rate with fewer benefits than those who work in Nursing Homes and other similar institutions.

North Dakota has a history of spending significantly more of its Medicaid dollars on Nursing Homes and other similar institutions.  Minnesota has one of the best balances of spending in the nation; however, its budget crisis has put that balance at risk. On the federal level, it was important that the Affordable Care Act include measures to prevent people from becoming or staying institutionalized.

Having a pool of qualified, well-paid, and professional attendants will assist in making independent, community living, a real possibility for people with disabilities.  This will allow people with disabilities the opportunity to become participants in their communities, including returning to the workforce and paying for a larger percentage of their personal care.

Freedom Resource Center’s Position

We support efforts to provide services for people with disabilities in the most integrated community setting possible.

Relevant Public Policy Principles

• We support the diversion of Federal Medicaid dollars to Home and Community Based Services
• We support the Money Follows the Person program
• We support higher wages and better benefits for direct care workers

We believe that when it comes to a choice in one’s life, people will overwhelmingly choose to live in their own home and in their own community. As a nation, we should be willing to take steps to make that choice a more plausible option. A vital step in that direction is creating a more balanced distribution of our tax dollars towards HCBS and out of institutionalized homes. In a time where many around us are facing budgetary uncertainty, HCBS is a way to effectively provide needed services in a desired location at a reduced price to the taxpayer.

The second installment of our position statements will reveal our position on health care.

Summary/History of the Issue

Access to quality and affordable health care is utterly important and necessary for people with disabilities. The health care needs of individuals with disabilities vary depending on their medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities have reported problems accessing needed health care. In our research, we found that people with disabilities are often unable to access or afford needed services.

 It is also important to note that people with disabilities who fail to receive quality health care often see their primary disability worsen. Individuals may also develop additional health problems by failing to receive preventive health care. 

In our research, cost appears to be the most common reason people did not receive needed health care. Though steps have been taken in the right direction regarding health care cost, much more action is needed. Due to budgetary issues at the federal and state levels, cuts in necessary services have been proposed. We must support the continuation of vital health care services for people with disabilities.

Freedom Resource Center’s Position

We support the increase in availability of appropriate and affordable health care for all citizens, regardless of their income, age, or condition.

Relevant Public Policy principles

• Community First Choice -The Community First Choice Medicaid Option (CFC) was included in the Affordable Care Act and will begin to take effect in 2011. The CFC gives states increased incentives to provide comprehensive home and community based services. The reform is intended to reduce the institutional bias in health care services.
• CLASS Act: Community Living Assistance Services and Supports-the CLASS Act will assist people with disabilities, who are employed, and in need of long term assistance or supports by providing a flexible cash insurance benefit that could be used creatively to purchase services, supports, and technology. The CLASS Act was included in the Affordable Care Act and will take effect in 2012.
• Promoting Wellness for People with Disabilities Act- This bill would ensure that medical examination equipment, central to all preventative health care, is made accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act-Supports the elimination of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare.

We will continue to work with government at all levels to ensure the easing of particular burdens in regards to people with disabilities receiving adequate health care. Though it is not a perfect bill, the Affordable Care Act was a move forward in implementing a system in which access is more equal and accessible. We hope that you support our efforts in pushing for life preserving health services. Join our efforts by sharing your thoughts and stories with us.

Starting today, Freedom Resource Center will be posting a weekly position statement on public policy affecting people with disabilities. Our first installment will revolve around employment.

Summary/History of the Issue:

The high unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is a national embarrassment. Despite our best efforts at “rehabilitation,” most national studies consistently show the unemployment rate for people with significant disabilities to be in the range of 60-70%. It has been estimated as high as 90% for some disability populations, such as adults with serious mental illnesses (President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003). Millions and millions of dollars spent on Vocational Rehab programs, education for students with disabilities, and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act have not made a significant enough difference in changing the employment outlook for people disabilities. 

 Overall, the high unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is systemic and is too often accepted as an inevitable outcome of living with a physical, mental, or emotional disability. Decreased employment rates have lead to increased poverty for people with disabilities, as well as an increased dependence on public benefits in order to meet their basic needs.

Freedom Resource Center’s Position:

We support efforts that will create new opportunities for people with disabilities to become employed in integrated settings with competitive wages.  We believe, in order for people to achieve economic and social independence, they must have the opportunity to become gainfully employed.

Relevant Public Policy Principles:

• We believe that we need a paradigm shift that recreates our services, benefits, and education system to support employment first for all people with disabilities.
• We support continued efforts for customized, competitive and community-based employment, and we oppose new funding for sheltered employment and sub-minimum wage jobs.
• We support efforts that will explore new solutions to the under-utilization of people with disabilities in the work place. We will work to identify and remove all employment-related barriers.
• We support stringent enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

Gainful employment is a stepping stone to living an independent life. Obtaining a livable wage increases the likelihood of and individual’s self-sufficiency and self-worth. We hope you will join our efforts to reduce the unemployment rate for people with disabilities. Join our efforts by sharing your thoughts and stories with us.

For sale: A patterned, dark green, 1/2 ton, well-taken-care-of 1995 Chevy van with 60,000 miles. It has a wheelchair lift if needed, or the lift can be sold. It comes with an extra captain’s chair if the lift is not required. The van includes power steering, power brakes, air and heat in the front and back, driver side air bag, AM/FM/Cassette, and lighted ceiling. The back seat can be converted into a bed with just a push of one button and can easily sleep two, which makes it nice for traveling and camping trips. If needed, it also comes with hookups for someone on a respirator. Would like $6,000. Contact information: Phone 701-232-7038, email ironstud1@cableone.net.

Freedom Resource Center is proud to have met with members of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to discuss future collaboration between the two organizations. Both organizations are dedicated to help individuals overcome the challenges they face through advocacy and empowerment. The National MS Society is compiling stories from individuals who are affected by multiple sclerosis. They are seeking these stories to distribute to lawmakers at the state and federal levels of government during the 2011 legislative session. If you are affected my multiple sclerosis, please follow the link below and click on “Share your story with us today” in the middle of the page. Upon completion, return the completed form to National MS Society, 2508 S. Carolyn Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106 by December 31^st, 2010.

Link: National MS Society

A fulfilling career is an achievement desired by nearly everyone. Being employed and making a livable wage fosters a person’s independence while building self esteem and expanding life satisfaction. However, many of us are unaware of the discrepancy between the employment rate for people with disabilities and those without disabilities. North Dakota Employment First has published some startling data which reveals that action is needed in order to address the vast inequality in employment and earnings for people with a disability. Here are a few of the North Dakota Employment First findings. In 2008, the employment rate for people without a disability was 87% compared to just 60% for people with a disability. In 2007, Median earnings for people with a disability trailed people without a disability by $5,600. Finally, in 2007, the poverty rate for people with a disability was an unacceptable 21.9% compared to an unacceptable 8.6% of people without a disability.  Unfortunately, ths data reveals that every day people with disabilities face barriers to employment with a livable wage. With some civic involvement which includes awareness and discussion, we can move towards a system in which equal opportunity is available for everyone.

Coverage under the new federal Medicare Prescription Drug Program began on January 1, 2006. If you or a loved one participated in both Medicare and Medicaid known as “dually eligible individuals” and received prescriptions through Medicaid administered by the state before January 1, 2006, you can now be receiving your medications through the federal government’s Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

If you wish to receive your prescription drugs through the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, review its drug plan options and enroll. Open enrollment in 2010 is between the dates of November 15 and December 31. If you experience problems in obtaining prescription coverage, are seeking enrollment help, or wish to change your plan, you can and should call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) or visit www.medicare.gov. Furthermore, Freedom Resource Center has staff that will able to assist you. Please contact us at 1-800-450-0459 and ask for Terryl or Joyce.

Health Reform Hits Main Street

As the new Affordable Care Act (Health care reform) is enacted into law, it is important to become informed on what this law will mean for you and your health. This video explains what the bill does in an easy to understand and entertaining way while cutting through the political chatter and falsehoods presented in the media. We encourage you to take a moment to become an informed citizen by watching the video linked above and post any comments you may have.

Congratulations to all duly elected officials resulting from Tuesday’s election. Those newly elected are a result of your action. Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living Inc. would like to thank everyone who voted this year. We encourage you to share your stories and experiences. Were you a first time voter?  Was your polling site accessible? Were voting technologies adequate for your needs? Please feel free to express your opinions and ideas with us!