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Accessible Testing for People with Disabilities
Whereas, people with disabilities are discriminated against throughout society.
Whereas, Test Nebraska has failed to properly consider people with disabilities.
Whereas, those with limited access to transportation have difficulty accessing testing.
Whereas, there is a lack of testing for those in community-based services.
Whereas, the testing process and data has not been transparent.
Whereas, it is crucial to ensure that people with disabilities are offered the equal protection of testing and ensure that our datasets include all members of the community.
Whereas, we have seen significant spikes across the world in facilities.
Whereas, Beatrice State Developmental Center has failed to provide a plan to ensure that people with disabilities under state care have proper access to testing.
Whereas, settings like nursing homes are in particular danger of high levels of infection.
Whereas, there are serious concerns that have remained not addressed regarding people with disabilities.
Add signatureTherefore, we, the undersigned call upon Governor Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to ensure updates and modifications to the Test Nebraska Program that will protect people with disabilities. We must provide equitable access to testing for those in communities, in facilities, in services, and supported by their families. In order to ensure this, we must eliminate barriers including but not limited to lack of access to transportation, limitations of vehicles, ensure quality testing in community services, provide testing in facilities, make the website accessible, create a comprehensive data set involving all people, and ensure equitable care for all Nebraskans.
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End The Waiting List Petition
The Arc of Nebraska has been working for over 60 years to ensure that people with developmental and intellectual disabilities can live in the community. Previously, the status quo was that people were forcefully segregated into isolation in institutions. Now 2,332 people qualify for services under the developmental disabilities services waiver but are not receiving funding. They instead have been forced onto a waiting list that could require them to wait for years to access vital services.
Over a decade ago the LR 156 report said, “Nebraska is at a crossroads with its obligation to Nebraska citizens with developmental disabilities. Several Nebraska Senators have recognized the urgent need to develop a strategic plan to address the current and future needs of citizens with DD and their families.” It seems that we have still failed to take the sort of serious action needed to help people with disabilities. It’s time to ensure that we fully fund the waiting list.
(Sign Petition Below)
Add signatureWe the people of Nebraska believe that it is our legal, ethical, and moral duty to ensure that people with disabilities are properly served. Too long have our good neighbors struggled to care for their children, siblings, church members, employees, friends, and community members due to improper funding of the Developmental Disabilities Services Waiver. We as Nebraskans want to ensure that people with disabilities receive the services that they need in a thoughtful and comprehensive approach that allows them to live full lives in the community.
We must take action to provide full and proper funding to eliminate the waiting list.
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Protect Federal Disability Funding
We heard this week that the funds for Special Olympics will be protected but we are still concerned by the cuts to other federal disability programs. These cuts listed below would be detrimental to Nebraskans with disabilities. We urge you to oppose these cuts. Please sign the petition below to express your disappointment in the proposed budget to your representatives.
Add signatureWe urge you to help protect disability services by protecting Nebraskans from the cuts in the proposed federal budget. These cuts include:
1 Drastic cuts to Medicaid that will endanger the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
2 Cuts to our friends at Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities
3 Removal of funding for independent living programs
4 Lowering funds for respite care services
5 Cutting a $51 million initiative to address autism and other developmental disorders.
6 The lack of a cost of living adjustment for Special Education Funding which is basically a cut
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Legislative Action Team
As the Legislative Season approaches we need to ensure that we are ready to take action as quickly as possible. In order to do this we need as many parents, self advocates, and allies ready to contact their Senator as possible. If you are willing to step up and help ensure that we protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities then please sign up to be a contact for your Senator! Become a volunteer
