Stavros
Advocates for Independent Living
Hot Issues
Stavros wants you to be informed and active in the issues that are important to you. As people with disabilities, we need to pay attention to what's going on in our communities, state and nation AND make sure we are heard. Things can only change if our elected officials--local, state or national -- know how you feel! Find out all you need to know to be informed to Vote Smart and start changing the world!
Your call or letter to your elected legislators really does make a difference! Please use the following links for State Legislators in western Massachusetts, or for all MA state legislators. For members of US congress, use the following links representing Massachusetts, or find info for ALL federal legislators here.
Stavros' FY 11 Funding Priorities
Please call your state representatives and ask them to support funding for these important programs. They are all key components for independent living.
Action Alerts
One of the best ways to keep informed is to join a listserve. Sign up for three of the best: "Steve Gold's Nuggets" deals with national disability issues and policy trends; the Disability Policy Consortium's (DPC) "First Advocate" action alert list which focuses on state activities. Or sign up for Families USA, a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In addition, we will do our best to keep you updated right here.
US Census and Our Community
Census officials believe that people with disabilities have been under-reported in past Census counts and have taken steps to increase the count. This is very important as the count impacts many Federal and stste programs. The Disability Policy Consortium is prepared to help by providing information to people with disabilities. They have information on their website on how to participate in the Census, with specific details for people who are Deaf, Blind, and Deaf-Blind. Click on link below to view flyer with more information.
Community Choice Act
Senator Ted Kennedy was a major supporter of the Community Choice Act (CCA) which would establish a national PCA program and address the institutional bias (right now, everyone is "entitled" to nursing home care, but they're not "entitled" to care in their own homes) in Medicaid. Learn more from ADAPT's Community Choice Act website. If you think the CCA is important, please give Senator Kerry's office a call and ask that in Ted's honor he support the CCA, and to include the Community Choice Act in national health reform legislation. Washington: 202.224.2742 or Boston: 617-565-8519. Call your other Federal legislator and ask him/her make sure the CCA becomes law this year!
ADAPT's Access Across America Proposal
ADAPT has a plan to help create more affordable and accessible housing for folks transistioning from nursing homes and other institutions. Click here for more details on Access Across America.
MassHealth Changes/Dentsits
Mass Health Dentists
Updated 12/3/07
