Tell Congress #WeAreEssential

An alert from The Arc of the United States: 

People With Disabilities, Families, and Direct Support Professionals:

We can't be left behind!

• Take Action Now

Congress must include the needs of people with disabilities, family caregivers, and the direct support professional workforce in the next coronavirus relief legislation - there is so much at stake.
Contact your Members of Congress now!

• Call  
• Email  
• Tweet 
• Tweet handles: @RepJayapal,  @RepAdamSmith,  @RepDelBene, @RepKimSchrier, @PattyMurray, @SenatorCantwell

The entire country is facing the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, but people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. People with disabilities are more likely to have underlying health conditions and live in poverty - this means that they will be disproportionately impacted and need ongoing support.

Ask your Member of Congress to pass a bill that addresses the specific and critical needs of people with disabilities during this pandemic, including:

• Funding for a Medicaid grant program to support access to home and community-based services (to minimize the risk of people with disabilities being forced into institutions) and to support the DSP workforce.
  
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for direct support professionals is urgently needed to protect their health and safety. DSPs must be designated as essential workforce so that they have access to the PPE and medical supplies they need.
  
• Paid leave for caregivers. As more people with disabilities lose their usual sources of care, family caregivers are scrambling and need access to paid leave and sick days to help their loved ones.
  

GREAT NEWS! Advocacy from The Arc has already created easier access to Recovery Rebates for people using Supplemental Security Income (SSI). More on that here:

• Victory for People with Disabilities: Recovery Rebate Checks Automatically On The Way

Thank you for your continued advocacy!