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Dea Henke signed Prioritize Disability Vaccine Access 2021-02-23 12:31:32 -0800Having people with disabilities dropped from the list and not being prioritized is absolutely unconscionable and will directly cause people’s deaths. It’s time to stop showing that Nebraska puts disabled people last and treats them as second class citizens.
Prioritize Disability Vaccine Access
Whereas, Governor Ricketts removed people with underlying conditions from the 1B Priority Group for the Covid Vaccine
Whereas, If infected, people with Down Syndrome are five times more likely to be hospitalized and 10 times more likely to die than the general population,
Whereas, 83% of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are not receiving state services and part of the groups of people with disabilities that have not yet received the Covid Vaccine.
Whereas, Nebraska’s service system fails to recognize many people intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Add signatureTherefore, we call on Governor Ricketts to add people with disabilities back to the Priority Group for Covid Vaccines. 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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Dea Henke signed End The Waiting List Petition 2019-07-02 10:11:08 -0700No more waiting! End the delays!
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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Volunteers are integral to help The Arc of Nebraska fulfill its mission. Below you will find a list of volunteer opportunities that may be available. If you are interested in finding out more, complete the application form below and we will be in touch.
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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
