Senator Looks To Strengthen Disability Services

[Jefferson23]

By Michelle Diament

May 19, 2014

A key U.S. senator is looking to introduce legislation to dramatically expand access to community-based services for people with disabilities nationwide.

An aide for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, confirms to Disability Scoop that the veteran lawmaker is planning to introduce a bill this summer that would bolster the rights of people with disabilities to obtain the support they need in the communities where they live.

“(Harkin) is currently looking at developing legislation that would enhance community access, inclusion and support in order to ensure that all individuals with disabilities can receive home and community-based services and supports in their own towns, cities and neighborhoods throughout America,” Allison Preiss, a spokeswoman for the senator, told Disability Scoop.

The move comes less than a year after Harkin issued an investigative report on the status of community living services for those with disabilities.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/05/19/senator-strengthen-disability/19374/

[Squinch]

1. I don't know about where you live, but disability services have been destroyed in NY

over the last few years. This MUST be passed!

Even if you are a completely mercenary person, we have evidence all over the place that when we abandon those who need help from our society, it costs our society multiple times more in the long run than if we simply give them adequate support throughout their lives.

[Jefferson23]

2. I hear you. I live in Ct, and many here need this help yesterday.

I grew up in NY, it kills me to see what has happened overall..so sad and unnecessary.

There is no question, when you make the investment to lift people up, especially those
who are at a clear disadvantage, everyone benefits. Kudos to Harkin and fingers crossed.

[Squinch]

3. Thanks for the heads up on this.

[Jefferson23]

6. Anytime, you're most welcome. n/t

[Archae]

4. Does that include all the woo he advocates for?

You damn right I'm going to bring his "NCCAM" fiasco up.

[Jefferson23]

5. No, I don't think so..this is about services. n/t

[Cha]

7. Kick for Senator Harkin! thanks Jefferson~

[Jefferson23]

8. Thanks for the kick, Cha..it is personal for Harkin too.

Just in case you were not aware:

More than 20 years ago, as a young member of the U.S. Senate, Tom Harkin was given the opportunity to craft groundbreaking legislation offering vital civil rights for individuals with disabilities. He had learned firsthand of the discrimination faced by this community from his brother, Frank, who lost his hearing at a very young age. Watching the low expectations and lack of accessibility his brother experienced, Senator Harkin witnessed the many ways that people with disabilities are prevented from fully participating in activities that most Americans take for granted.

https://www.harkin.senate.gov/issue/equalrights/

[Cha]

9. Thank you for the personal history of Senator Harkin, J! Bless his heart..

America needs more lawmakers like Tom Harkin!

[Jefferson23]

10. I think he is pushing especially hard because he is retiring..not seeking re-election this year.

http://www.harkin.senate.gov/press/release.cfm?i=339416

He is done, it's been 40 years for him.

[Cha]

11. I did know that, thanks, and I hope Rep Bruce Braley is able to succeed him as the Dem

Senator from Iowa.

"Tom Harkin is my hero, Iowa Senate candidate Bruce Braley says.."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014760700

[Jefferson23]

12. Yes, that should work out great, all considered, Cha.

Thanks for the kicks. I appreciate it.

[Cha]

13. You're Welcome.. I know how that goes.

Kicks and Recs, baby.. that's how the news get out there and doesn't slip through the cracks!

[Jefferson23]

14. Yep.

[Jefferson23]

15. More: Deal In Congress Would Discourage Sheltered Workshops

By Michelle Diament

May 23, 2014 Text Size A A

A bipartisan deal is paving the way for Congress to require most people with disabilities to try competitive employment first before they could be employed by a sheltered workshop.

Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives said this week that they’ve come to an agreement on a long-delayed reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. Within the proposal is a plan to dramatically alter the path from school to work for those with disabilities.

Currently, many individuals in special education leave high school and are referred directly to sheltered workshops where pay is often less than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Under the proposed legislation, however, young people with disabilities in most cases would be required to pursue competitive, integrated employment.

Under what’s known as section 511 of the bill, individuals with disabilities ages 24 and younger could not be employed by those paying so-called subminimum wage before seeking out vocational rehabilitation services, among other requirements.

Meanwhile, the legislation mandates that state vocational rehabilitation agencies work with schools to provide “pre-employment transition services” to all students with disabilities and such agencies would be required to devote at least 15 percent of their federal funding to help young people transition from school to work.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who initiated the proposal, said the changes would be “groundbreaking” for people with disabilities.

“It will stem the flow of young people into segregated employment by requiring that they be given experience in integrated settings,” the senator said.

When Harkin first proposed the plan last summer, some disability advocacy groups expressed concern that it offered little more than a checklist for vocational rehabilitation agencies to continue shuffling people to sheltered workshops. However, tweaks to the bill have largely eased those worries.

“We believe that the revised compromise language in section 511, while not perfect by any means, will help to reduce the number of youth with disabilities being tracked into subminimum wage employment,” said Christopher Danielsen, a spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind, which had initially opposed Harkin’s plan, but now supports it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1002&pid=4978677