Updates from Access Living

 

June 30, 2021 | by Amber Smock

Updates from Access Living

July 25, 2021

Access Living friends and allies,

Today, we’d like to share a few important updates.

Honoring Olmstead: This week marked the 22nd anniversary of the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision, a critical step in advancing the liberation of millions of people with disabilities from institutions. You can read more about the case here, and also how to file an Olmstead complaint. You can also read more about the living named plaintiff, Lois Curtis, a Black artist with multiple disabilities, at this link.

Please Share! Survey on Immigrants with Disabilities: Access Living is the hosting organization for the Disability and Immigration Taskforce of Illinois (DITI). The DITI has a new updated survey to determine the needs of immigrants with disabilities in Illinois. Please consider circulating this survey in your networks. The deadline to fill it out is July 26, 2021. This survey is specifically for immigrants with disabilities living in Illinois. The survey is available in five languages, as follows:
English, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese

New! Better Care Better Jobs Act: Members of Congress have introduced a new bill to invest in home and community based services, including investing in the wages and benefits for direct support/care workers. You can read a summary of the bill here and here and here. Although care and community supports are important infrastructure for people with disabilities and seniors, funding for these services is not part of the federal infrastructure bill known as the American Jobs Plan, but advocates are determined to press on by supporting this bill.

The Britney Spears Conservatorship Case: Many of you may be aware that pop star Britney Spears is advocating to end her status as a person under conservatorship. This past Wednesday, Spears made a passionate argument in court that she should regain the power to make her own decisions. If you’re looking for a disability perspective, check out this story and this story.

Please share this information with fellow disability advocates. Thank you for your advocacy!