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Open Letter to Governor Newsom from the Developmental Disabilities Community Re: Values & Priorities in State Spending Dear Governor Newsom, In solidarity with more than 430,000 Californians with developmental disabilities, we are advocating for the entire disability stakeholder community. We are self-advocates, parents and family members, service provider organizations and the direct support professional workforce, educators, employers, medical professionals, and the regional center service system all united as one to ask for your support. For decades, disability services have been chronically underfunded. In 2019, a rate study commissioned by the State Legislature identified an ANNUAL gap of $1.8 Billion. With that information, the state established a path designed to honor the promise of the Lanterman Act, prioritizing the needs of our community with steps toward funding vital services and supports. Though this plan, the state of California promised to close the original funding gap with a final increase of $1 billion on July 1, 2024. The proposal to delay that investment will have a devastating impact on the lives of Californians with disabilities, their families and the direct support workforce. As one of the largest delays or cuts in the proposed state budget, it sends a message that Californians with disabilities are not a priority to the state. This disastrous proposal would only worsen the challenges the disability service system faces by weakening the already fragile direct support workforce shortage, reducing access to reliable services and decreasing opportunities for Californians with disabilities to live their best life. Californians with disabilities are relying on the state to keep its promise. This funding is critical to address the workforce crisis, improve access to services and supports and ensure that Californians with disabilities can THRIVE, not just survive. We need this funding on July 1, 2024 – it cannot wait any longer! Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to be on a path to thrive, and pursue lives of impact, inclusion, dignity, and happiness. Sincerely, The Lanterman Coalition There are two ways you can be a part of this advocacy push. The Lanterman Coalition is organizing an online petition, where you can add your name to an open letter to the Governor. It's simple way to be counted in support of this critical effort. https://lnkd.in/grPxFKwT   For maximum impact, though, we urge you to take three minutes and call Governor Newsom, at (916) 445-2841, and say "don't delay the rates for developmental disability service providers!" #KeepThePromise #TheFurtureIncludesUs #DisabilityRights #InclusionForAll #CABudget #IDDPathtoThrive

Take a look at Northwest Iowa Review's article "Forum Focuses on Better Disability Policies in Iowa". The article covers an event where Iowa candidates for state and federal office convened for a nonpartisan forum to discuss how public policy could better serve Iowans with disabilities. Carlyn Crowe, the DD Council's Public Policy Manager, participated in the event. *CORRECTION: The event was organized by Northwestern College, not Carlyn Crowe with the DD Council, as stated in the article. https://lnkd.in/gsFh4iq2

I'm proud to belong to the disability community. I want to encourage celebration of #DisabilityPride beyond the month of July…let's celebrate disability pride every single day.   While July shines a spotlight on our community, the commitment to inclusion, accessibility, representation, and amplification must continue year-round.   Let's remove stigma. Let's reframe perspectives. Disability is a natural part of humanity. People with disabilities are powerful, influential, accomplished. Disability leadership is all around us in the workforce. Let's talk about it. Let's amplify it. VD: Close-up of Meredith speaking in a garden setting. Title appears, Meredith Sadoulet, Founder and CEO of Profound. Later, a text frame appears: “3 OCD traits that I’m proud of…” followed by three labels “Creativity,” “Attentiveness”, and “Goals” that appear as she discusses each trait. At the end of the video, a button appears with a call-to-action to follow ProFound Network on LinkedIn. The video concludes with an animated ProFound logo. #ProFound #DisabilityLeadership #Leadership #Accessibility #a11y

"Our disabilities are not flaws to be fixed, but integral parts of our identities that shape our unique perspectives and strengths," Kim Chua said. "I wish people knew that we're not defined solely by our disabilities. We're whole, complex individuals with dreams, talents, and contributions to make. By embracing neurodiversity and disability as natural variations of the human experience, we can unlock the full potential of our society.” On the last day of Disability Pride Month, hear what NPR readers want you to know about living with a disability. Read the full article: https://ow.ly/Fr6A50SNJc7 #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityInclusion #Disability

"Disabilities are not one size fits all." "Disability is vast, varied, and beautiful." "I can do hard and sometimes extreme things." "We are independent and creative in how we have adapted to a world made for able-bodied people." "Our disabilities are not flaws to be fixed, but integral parts of our identities that shape our unique perspectives and strengths." At Melwood, we love hearing from and elevating the voices of the disability community. Join the conversation. On this second to last day of Disability Pride Month, read this piece by NPR readers, then tell us what you want others to know about people with disabilities or the disability community! https://lnkd.in/eeR-p_dU #Disability #DisabilityPrideMonth

#ProFoundPrompts Day 24: Name a film or documentary that has influenced your perspective on disability. July is Disability Pride Month! Follow ProFound and comment to enter our challenge for a chance to win one of three prizes: - Free registration to ProFound's first annual Summit - Free listing on the ProFound Marketplace - Free digital membership to ProFound Leave a comment on any of the daily prompts.💬 - Each comment counts as one entry into the drawing, with a maximum count of one entry per day per person. -Tagging others in your response doubles your entry for the day. At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select three winners from followers who entered! 💡 To locate any of the month's prompts, simply tap the hashtag, hashtag#ProFoundPrompts #WeAreProFound #DisabilityPride #Disabled #Leadership #Accessibility ID: Disability Pride Month graphic featuring the disability pride flag. The text reads: #ProFoundPrompts Day 24: Name a film or documentary that has influenced your perspective on disability.

Attention Canadian Disability Community! 🇨🇦
Important info to share: Did you know some cell providers offer hidden discounts for people with disabilities? 📱💰
Here's what we've learned about Rogers:
• $20 discount per line for customers with disabilities
• Potential for $60 off with 3 lines
• Additional 20% discount possible on services like internet How to qualify:
• Disability association membership OR
• Documentation like Workman's Comp pay or DTC letter Key points:
• The account holder doesn't need to be disabled
• Quick approval process (as fast as the next day)
• Discounts often hidden on websites (check the "Accessibility" section) If you have DTC, ODSP, or any other disability benefit, contact your provider to see what discounts you qualify for. Don't miss out on potential savings! 💸 👉If you need more info on free government grants and benefits, you can book a free consultation today.
Share this with your friends and families, especially those with disabilities!☺️ #DisabilityRights #CellPhoneDiscounts #Accessibility #DisabilityAwareness #SaveMoney #HiddenDiscounts #FinancialTips #DisabilityCommunity #CanadianTelecom #SpreadTheWord

Great to see this article

We can all agree that when everyone understands language for pending legislation, we can better advocate for our needs. Confusing language is a barrier to civic engagement, especially for people with disabilities. Dom Kelly shared with RWJF how New Disabled South—an organization he co-founded with Kehsi Iman Wilson — developed a groundbreaking tool that translates complex language from pending bills in 14 southern states into clear, simple summaries. This empowers more people to understand how policies will impact their wellbeing. This is truly a model for how to advance equity and inclusion. All of us will likely experience disability at some point in our lives. New Disabled South is showing how understanding policy is important for a more just and inclusive society for all. #DisabilityPrideMonth https://rwjf.ws/3XWxV1a

How to educate your audience about disparities in care for people with disabilities https://lnkd.in/g8y6aYfi