Action Alert! Tell Your Senators We Need Emergency HCBS Funding in the Next COVID-19 Relief Bill!

February 17, 2021

Tell Your Senators We Need Emergency HCBS Funding in the Next COVID-19 Relief Bill!

Many disabled people rely on home and community-based services (HCBS) to live in the community. Now, at a time when COVID-19 is rapidly spreading, these services are more critical than ever as they keep people with disabilities out of institutions, where the virus is spreading at devastating rates. The disability community needs emergency funding for Medicaid home and community-based services. That funding has not been included in any of the COVID relief legislation passed since the beginning of the pandemic, but we must change that.

Congress is putting together the next COVID-19 relief package now, and the House of Representatives has already included emergency HCBS funding in their version of the COVID relief package. Now we need the Senate to do the same. We’re asking you to participate in our week of action, and ask your Senators to make sure the final COVID-19 relief bill includes the funding our community needs. Here’s how you can participate:

Take Action

Call your Senators!

You can call your senator and use this script:

Hello! My name is [your full name], and I am from [city]. I’m calling to ask Senator [Name] to make sure the Senate’s COVID relief package includes emergency funding for Medicaid home and community-based services.

Home and community-based services funded by Medicaid allow people with disabilities like [me/ my family member/ my friends/ my neighbor/ etc.] to continue living safely at home. These services keep people with disabilities out of institutions, where COVID-19 is currently killing thousands. Because of the pandemic, community-based service providers are struggling to stay open, and without emergency funds, some will be forced to close.

The House has already included emergency funding for Medicaid home- and community-based services in their COVID relief bill. We just need the Senate to include it too. This funding is a life and death issue for disabled [residents of your state]. Can I count on Senator [Name] to stand up for people with disabilities by making sure that funding is in the Senate bill?

Need help making calls? Check out our proxy calling system: https://proxycaller.org/

Want to help make calls for other people? Send an email to info@proxycaller.org with your name and preferred email.

Email your Senators!

Contacting Congress provides unique links to email your Senators directly. You can use the same script you did while calling.

Engage your Senators on Social Media!

Tweet your Senators – find their Twitter handles here.

Sample Social Media Posts:

Take action TODAY to protect the disability community during COVID-19: https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/ #MedicaidCantWait

The Senate emergency COVID-19 relief funding includes NO funding for community-based services — services that many people with disabilities rely on to stay out of institutions, where COVID-19 is spreading. Take action TODAY. https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/ #MedicaidCantWait #HCBS

The Senate is refusing to include #HCBS funding in the new COVID-19 relief package. Don’t let them get away with it — call/email TODAY to let your elected officials know we’re watching! #MedicaidCantWait https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/

Without #HCBS funding, people with disabilities risk being forced into institutions, where COVID-19 is running rampant. Call and tell your Senator that #MedicaidCantWait using this script: https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/

Join the Facebook event for scripts, tips, and check ins throughout the week.

Our community has been left out of the picture when it comes to COVID relief over and over again. Enough is enough. When HCBS is at risk, our lives are on the line: #MedicaidCantWait!

*Script language from ASAN.

Action Alert! Tell Your Senators to Vote No on Amy Coney Barrett

October 24, 2020

Tell Your Senators to Vote No on Amy Coney Barrett!!

The Senate Judiciary Committee broke Senate rules, and Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court will be headed to a full vote VERY SOON. We expect the full Senate to vote on Judge Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court as soon as October 26, though the date is not set. Your calls, emails, and tweets are needed now more than ever. Judge Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court would pose a serious threat to the rights of people with disabilities. Judge Barrett has stated that she believes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. During her confirmation hearings she refused to back down from this statement. She also refused to say that Medicare and Social Security were clearly constitutional. Millions of Americans with disabilities stand to lose their health care coverage if Justice Barrett becomes a deciding vote to strike down the law. If she is confirmed on the schedule currently set, she would join the Court in time to participate in the November 10th arguments in the case challenging the ACA.

Please take a few minutes today to tell your Senators to vote no on her nomination!

The Affordable Care Act is important for people with disabilities. Its protections for people with pre-existing conditions, expansion of Medicaid, requirements for coverage of mental health services and habilitation services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, expansion of home and community-based services options, protections against disability discrimination, and expansion of the reach of mental health parity are essential to the health, independence, and self-sufficiency of Americans with disabilities.

Judge Barrett’s record also raises other serious concerns for people with disabilities as well. For details, you can read the letter that AAPD and more than 50 other disability organizations sent to the Senate opposing her nomination.

Now more than ever, Senators in every state need to know that Barrett is a dangerous nominee who would put disability rights at risk and vote to overturn the ACA.

Please take some time today or through the weekend to let your Senator know that you’re counting on them to protect disability rights and oppose Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

Take Action

Call your Senators

Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators. Use Contacting Congress to easily identify your Senators.

Sample Call Script:
Hello, this is [name]. I’m a resident of [town, state]. I am calling to ask [Senator’s name] to oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. As a [person with a disability or family member/friend/co-worker of a person with a disability], I am worried that Judge Barrett’s statements on the Affordable Care Act mean that, if confirmed, she would vote to overturn the ACA. Millions of Americans with disabilities rely on the ACA to protect our right to healthcare. If the ACA is overturned, especially during a pandemic, millions of lives could be at risk.

I ask you to vote no to Judge Barrett and pass on my concerns to your fellow Senators.

Thank you!

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

Email and Tweet your Senators

Use the advocacy tool below to send an email and tweet directly to your Senators to tell them to oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, or keep scrolling for sample social media content. Once you fill out your information, edit the email to personalize it with your name, location, and experience.

Be sure to connect your Twitter account to use the social media outreach feature of this tool.

Sample Posts that include options to call out states and Senators directly:

The Senate will vote on Judge Barrett’s nomination to replace Justice Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. She has stated she believes the ACA is unconstitutional. A vote for judge Barrett is a vote to repeal the ACA and roll back disability rights! Tell your senator to vote NO on her nomination! View our full action alert https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-nominee-barrett-2/ #OurCourt #WhatsAtStake

ACTION ALERT: The Senate is days away from confirming Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court, threatening the #ACA and lives of millions of people with disabilities. Tell your Senator today to vote NO on Barrett! #OurCourt #WhatsAtStake Learn how to help at https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-nominee-barrett-2/

100,000 million people will lose critical healthcare protections if the ACA is repealed. Amy Coney Barrett believes that the ACA is unconstitutional. Tell your Senators to protect the ACA and to vote NO on her nomination! #OurCourt #WhatsAtStake View our full action alert https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-nominee-barrett-2/

Twitter Graphic, Facebook Graphic, Instagram Graphic

Check out our Social Media Toolkit for more social media posts and graphics!

Material on Judge Barrett

AAPD Joins Over 50 Disability Rights Groups in Opposing Nomination of Jude Amy Coney Barrett (10/5/2020). AAPD joins disability rights groups to express our opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is imperative for the disability community that Justice Ginsburg’s replacement be someone who understands and respects the rights of people with disabilities.
ASAN Opposes Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett
AUCD Opposes the Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States
Bazelon Center: Amy Coney Barrett’s Record on Issues Affecting People with Disabilities
Little Lobbyists Oppose the Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court
Judge Amy Coney Barrett Radio interview disagreeing with Supreme Court decision to uphold ACA

*Script language from AUCD.

Action Alert! National Call-in Day on Supreme Court Nominee Judge Barrett

October 9, 2020

Judge Amy Coney Barrett has been nominated to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated that the Senate will move quickly with her confirmation hearings and a vote.

AAPD and at least 50 disability rights groups strongly oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett due to her direct hostility towards the Affordable Care Act and her record on many issues that would harm people with disabilities. On Monday, October 12th, the disability community is coordinating a national call-in day to voice our opposition to the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. With her confirmation hearings beginning the 12th and a vote planned for the end of the month, it is important that we make our voices heard now!

Take Action

Share your story

We need your stories of how the ACA has helped you, and how overturning the ACA would be harmful. Please share your stories with us using this online form. We are requesting this information by Friday, October 16, 2020.

Call your Senators

Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators. Use Contacting Congress to easily identify your Senators.

Email and Tweet your Senators

Use the advocacy tool below to send an email and tweet directly to your Senators to tell them to oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Once you fill out your information, edit the email to personalize it with your name, location, and experience.

Be sure to connect your Twitter account to use the social media outreach feature of this tool.

Sample Call Script:

Hello, this is [name]. I’m a resident of [town, state]. I am calling to ask [Senator’s name] to oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. As a [person with a disability or family member/friend/co-worker of a person with a disability], I am worried that Judge Barrett’s statements on the Affordable Care Act mean that, if confirmed, she would vote to overturn the ACA. Millions of Americans with disabilities rely on the ACA to protect our right to healthcare. If the ACA is overturned, especially during a pandemic, millions of lives could be at risk.

I ask you to vote no to Judge Barrett and pass on my concerns to the Judiciary Committee.

Thank you!

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

Material on Judge Barrett

AAPD Joins Over 50 Disability Rights Groups in Opposing Nomination of Jude Amy Coney Barrett (10/5/2020). AAPD joins disability rights groups to express our opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is imperative for the disability community that Justice Ginsburg’s replacement be someone who understands and respects the rights of people with disabilities.
ASAN Opposes Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett
AUCD Opposes the Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States
Bazelon Center: Amy Coney Barrett’s Record on Issues Affecting People with Disabilities
Little Lobbyists Oppose the Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court
Judge Amy Coney Barrett Radio interview disagreeing with Supreme Court decision to uphold ACA

*Script language from AUCD.

Action Alert! #StopKavanaugh

October 4, 2018

The full Senate is expected to vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination in the coming days.

While we’re waiting for the FBI investigation to uncover the truth behind the sexual assault allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, we know one thing is true: Kavanaugh’s record as a judge indicates that he devalues the lives and liberty of people with disabilities. His confirmation would place at risk access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.

The disability community must act now to make Senators aware of the threat Judge Kavanaugh poses to hard-won disability rights.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law outlines 10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination:

He is a threat to your health care.
He would allow the President to wield dangerous power.
He is dismissive of the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.
He won’t protect the rights of workers with disabilities.
He would narrow the protections of civil rights laws.
He promotes school voucher programs that leave students with disabilities without key protections.
He discounts the role of the administrative agencies that enforce your rights.
He would allow states to impose restrictive voter ID laws.
He imposes barriers for people seeking justice in courts.
He will not fairly protect the rights of all people, including people with disabilities.

The Bazelon Center also released a thorough review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record and its implications for the disability community.

Take Action

The full Senate will soon vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. All Senators need to hear from the disability community, but it is especially important for advocates to contact the following Senators:

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Senator Todd Young (R-IN)

Our allies on Capitol Hill tell us that it’s only useful for advocates to contact their own Senators.

Here’s what you can do:

Email and Tweet your Senators

Use the advocacy tool below to send an email and tweet directly to your Senators to tell them to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.

Be sure to connect your Twitter account to use the social media outreach feature of this tool.

Call your Senators

Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators. Use Contacting Congress to easily identify your Senators.

Sample Call Script:

My name is [your full name]. I’m a constituent of Senator [Name] and I live in [your town]. I’m calling to ask the Senator to VOTE NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Judge Kavanaugh’s record indicates that he devalues the lives and liberty of people with disabilities like [me / my family member/ my friends]. His confirmation would endanger access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.

Please VOTE NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Thank you for taking my call.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

Background Materials on Kavanaugh and Disability

Review of Disability Related Cases Involving Judge Brett Kavanaugh – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
What the Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Means for People with Disabilities – Center for Public Representation, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Access Living
Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Nomination Could Put the Americans With Disabilities Act in Danger – Robyn Powell

Opposition Statements

Action Alert! Tell Your Senators to VOTE NO on Kavanaugh

National Call-In Day Today

September 14, 2018

Last week’s confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh did nothing to allay concerns that if he were appointed to the Supreme Court, he would pose a threat to the hard-won rights and protections for people with disabilities. If the Senate Judiciary Committee votes in favor of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination (which is expected to happen), then his nomination goes to the full Senate for a vote, expected to happen in the next few weeks.

Judge Kavanaugh’s record indicates that he devalues the lives and liberty of people with disabilities. His confirmation would place at risk access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.

What We Learned at Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearing

During his hearing, Judge Kavanaugh refused to answer even basic questions concerning his views on important issues, and repeatedly refused to say that he would uphold the Affordable Care Act’s protections.

Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), testified about her concerns that Judge Kavanaugh has shown a lack of respect for the self-determination rights of people with disabilities. “If Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed,” said Weintraub, “I’m afraid that my right to make decisions for myself will be taken away.”

Jackson Corbin, a 13-year old boy with complex medical needs due to Noonan’s Syndrome, testified about the impact that appointing Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would have on health care. Corbin said: “If you destroy protections for preexisting conditions, you leave me and all kids and adults like me without care and without the ability to afford our care, all because of who we are.”

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law outlines 10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination:

He is a threat to your health care.
He would allow the President to wield dangerous power.
He is dismissive of the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.
He won’t protect the rights of workers with disabilities.
He would narrow the protections of civil rights laws.
He promotes school voucher programs that leave students with disabilities without key protections.
He discounts the role of the administrative agencies that enforce your rights.
He would allow states to impose restrictive voter ID laws.
He imposes barriers for people seeking justice in courts.
He will not fairly protect the rights of all people, including people with disabilities.

The Bazelon Center also released a thorough review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record and its implications for the disability community.

Take Action

The full Senate will soon vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. All Senators need to hear from the disability community, but it is especially important for advocates in Maine (Susan Collins), Alaska (Lisa Murkowski), Indiana (Joe Donnelly), Alabama (Doug Jones), North Dakota (Heidi Heitkamp), West Virginia (Joe Manchin), and Nevada (Dean Heller) to contact your Senators. However, it is only helpful to contact your own Senators.

Here’s what you can do:

Email and Tweet your Senators

Use the advocacy tool below to send an email and tweet directly to your Senators to tell them to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.

Be sure to connect your Twitter account to use the social media outreach feature of this tool.

Call your Senators – National Call-In Day on September 14th

Participate in the September 14th National Call-In Day to amplify efforts around the country. Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators. Use Contacting Congress to easily identify your Senators.

Sample Call Script:

Please VOTE NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Thank you for taking my call.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

Background Materials on Kavanaugh and Disability

Review of Disability Related Cases Involving Judge Brett Kavanaugh – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
What the Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Means for People with Disabilities – Center for Public Representation, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Access Living
Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Nomination Could Put the Americans With Disabilities Act in Danger – Robyn Powell

Opposition Statements

* * *

This alert was developed with content provided by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).

The Supreme Court and Retaining Our Civil Rights

September 12, 2018 | Elijah Armstrong, 2018 AAPD Summer Intern

With the recent retirement of Justice Kennedy and the resulting nomination of judge Brett Kavanaugh, many people are concerned about the rollback of numerous hard fought rights. Specifically, judge Kavanaugh has considered the individual mandate section of the ACA to be unconstitutional multiple times, and as a Supreme Court Justice, his vote on this matter could easily end the individual mandate nationwide. I looked into judge Kavanaugh’s voting history and found myself increasingly frustrated; how could a man who hasn’t experienced the difficulties of living with a disability shamelessly and consistently vote down protections for disabled people? Then it occured to me; I don’t think any of the Supreme Court Justices have disabilities.

Our right to employment, our right to access public spaces, our right to healthcare, and our right to an education are constantly being put in the hands of nine people who have never had to experience these issues first hand. In fact, the Census has found that almost one in five people has a disability; shouldn’t at least two of the justices have disabilities?

People with disabilities aren’t very well represented in the federal government, but are completely unrepresented in one of the three branches of government. Excluding people with disabilities isn’t a bug of the Supreme Court nomination process; it’s a feature. Since justices serve for life, politicians and pundits constantly speak about appointing young and healthy judges, so they will have a long influence on the Court. This rules out most people with disabilities from having the potential of being a Supreme Court Justice, despite their disability not inherently making them unqualified as judges. I would even suggest people with disabilities might make for better Supreme Court justices in some cases. People with disabilities typically have firsthand experience with the struggle of facing systemic discrimination, as well as a deeper understanding of the disabled community.

One of the biggest cases where having a member of the disabled community on the Supreme Court would be in cases like Bragdon V. Abbott. A case was brought in front of the Supreme Court to determine whether or not people with HIV were covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A ruling against people with HIV being covered by the ADA could have established the precedent that institutions have the right to discriminate against people with disabilities for religious reasons, and that people with chronic illness were not covered by the ADA. Luckily, the Supreme Court understood the ramifications of this decision and ruled, in a narrow 5-4 decision, that people with HIV are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the majority opinion being authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy. Justice Kennedy is likely soon to be replaced by a man who believes the ACA’s individual mandate would “ultimately force mandatory purchases of other products.” We need to make a strategic and deliberate effort to get more people with disabilities into federal courts.

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Elijah Armstrong is a 2018 AAPD Summer Intern. He interned with the Office of Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).