Advocacy Efforts in Washington D.C. Highlight Disability Policy Reform and Inclusion for Families

Company: Easterseals South Florida

Four people stand together for a photo, one sitting in a power wheelchair, all wearing name tags.

Programming example

💬Most of us don’t think about what happens if we get sick. Or if someone we love gets hurt. Or if a child in our life needs support the school system isn’t equipped to give.We just assume… there will be something. Some system. Some support. Until we find there is nothing. Last week in D.C., I learned how fragile that assumption really is. I sat down with Florida government officials alongside Easterseals South Florida and national affiliates to advocate for policies that touch real people, real families, real futures. And what struck me most is how close to home all of it is.* The IDEA Full Funding Act: because every child with a disability deserves a school that’s actually resourced to support them. Not in theory. In practice.* The Role of Direct Support Professionals: because the caregivers helping people live with dignity and independence are often invisible to the rest of us. Until we need one.* The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act: because right now, saving more than $2,000 can cost someone their benefits. A limit that hasn’t changed since 1989. Yes- 1989! We’d never accept those rules for ourselves.Here’s what gave me hope: none of these are partisan fights. They have bipartisan support because when you strip away the politics, this is just about people being able to live with dignity.I came home thinking about all the people who can’t make that trip; and what we owe them.Most of them will never sit in those rooms. But they feel every decision made there. The least we can do is make sure the right voices are heard.Stay informed. Speak up. Show Up.Advocacy doesn’t require a trip to D.C. It just requires caring enough to start.Update from Capitol Hill and a reminder of why it matters.hashtag#Advocacy hashtag#DisabilityRights hashtag#Inclusion hashtag#Easterseals hashtag#Leadership

Communities

  • Disability & Neurodiversity

Formats

  • Summit & Conference
  • Speaker Presentation

Goals

  • Grow