Learn About Disability Issues
The attitude that disability is a natural part of life was fairly new in the 1970s. The federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 helped usher in a new way of thinking – stating that disability does not diminish the rights of individuals to live independently, make choices, and enjoy integration in mainstream American society.
Even though the disability rights movement has come a long way over the years, there is still much that needs to be done. As an independent living center, ARISE is dedicated to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities on a “systems” level.
Systems advocacy works to change policies and improve quality of life for people with disabilities. This includes everything from making local businesses more accessible, to promoting integrated accessible housing, to advocating for and against proposed local, state, and federal laws.
The following is a brief overview of the primary “categories” of disability-related issues that ARISE works to improve:
Community Integration
Forcing people with disabilities to live in institutions is both costly and a violation of basic rights. The ARISE advocates work to keep people integrated in the community rather than in nursing homes or institutions by advocating for more community-based services and services available in the home. We promote the full implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision.
Education
By law, people with disabilities have the right to be educated with peers who do not have disabilities. Despite federal and state laws that enforce this, schools are sometimes reluctant or uncertain of how to provide needed services. ARISE advocates to ensure children with disabilities are given a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. ARISE’s efforts aren’t limited to public schools—we also advocate for better access to programs and services in our schools of higher learning.
Employment
Like everyone, people with disabilities get satisfaction from working a meaningful job and bringing home a paycheck. And, like everyone else, people with disabilities belong in integrated employment settings. ARISE promotes programs that encourage inclusive employment and works to ensure reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in the workplace. We also advocate for and support legislation that breaks down the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from securing meaningful jobs and reaching their career goals.
Health Insurance
Medicaid is so much more than health insurance for low income people. For thousands of people with disabilities, it is a means to survive. In addition to covering medications, medical care, and durable medical equipment, Medicaid is the ONLY service that pays for long-term in-home attendant care for people with disabilities. ARISE works to ensure that cuts to the budget don’t harm people who rely on Medicaid to cover their medical needs.
Housing
There is a lack of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing available for people with disabilities. ARISE is committed to ensuring people with disabilities live in integrated settings within the community. Our goal is to ensure that people with disabilities don’t live in separate “disabled” housing, instead we advocate for fully integrated, accessible housing. ARISE does not operate, or advocate for, nursing homes, institutions, group homes, or individualized residential alternatives (IRAs).
Transportation
Access to public transportation can be critical for people with disabilities who live in the community and need to get to work, school, and the store as well as to visit family and friends. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees this right, but barriers still exist when people with disabilities navigate using public transportation. ARISE advocates for increased transportation opportunities, including for improvements to Medicaid transportation and expanded transportation to reach people living in the most rural areas of Upstate New York.
Voting
Voting is a civil right guaranteed to all Americans, and people with disabilities should not be excluded. ARISE works hard to ensure people with disabilities are full participants in the electoral process, and are given equal access to polling places and voting machines. The ability to have an unimpeded voting experience is at the heart of our voting advocacy. Each year ARISE promotes a “get out the vote” campaign so that our representatives know that people with disabilities form a powerful voting block. Join us in our efforts … register to vote today!
ARISE, working closely with the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN), is very active in advancing these issues. If you are passionate about even one of these concerns, we strongly encourage you to join us in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Sign up for the ARISE Action E-List … and take action today!