The statewide systems advocacy network is a group of eighteen independent living centers throughout the state which coordinate and collaborate with other disability organizations to ensure that legislation affecting people with disabilities is introduced, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor.
The group relies on volunteers using an email “action alert” system to bring action in force on hot issues – like bills stuck in committee or ready for a vote. Our Systems Advocate notifies volunteers by email to take immediate action on a particular issue. Proposed action can be a telephone call to a legislator, sign on to a petition seeking action, sending a letter or email to someone in government about legislation pending. We also make several trips to Albany a year and encourage all of our volunteers to be a part in all of these activities.
2011 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES:
• HOUSING
Incorporate inclusive design features in new residential housing that receives financial assistance for construction from federal, state, county or local governments. (not yet introduced)
Most existing housing stock was not built to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including disabilities acquired as one ages. Housing built using inclusive design features would meet the needs of all people, throughout the lifespan, and allow homes to be visitable to friends and family members with disabilities. Renovation of new homes is much more expensive than including accessibility features at the start, when the home is constructed.
• EDUCATION
Include the history of people with disabilities as required curriculum in all elementary and secondary schools. A.10852 (Schroeder) and S.7930 (Stachowski) of 2010
In order to fully integrate people with disabilities into the community, the attitudes of our society as they relate to people with disabilities need to change. Education on civil rights of people with disabilities is the foundation for ensuring these rights are protected and attitudes changed. This bill would adopt a statewide curriculum to promote greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities and has no fiscal implications.
• TRANSPORTATION
Cap fares for paratransit at levels no higher than the base fares for transportation of non-disabled adults utilizing the public transit system. S.1225 (Duane) and A. 737 (Kellner)
Provide a tax credit for the purchase of accessible vehicles by transportation companies. A.966 (Kellner)
Title II of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the provision of transportation services. The limited availability of accessible transportation services is a major barrier faced by individuals with disabilities throughout the State, often leading to unemployment, the inability to access medical care, lack of access to the poll site, and isolation from friends, family, and full community participation. Many people with disabilities rely heavily on the provision of paratransit services; however public transit budget woes have led to an increase in cost for such services. The paratransit bill would cap paratransit fares, under the premise that authorization of transit fares for people with disabilities at a level higher than those for non-disabled citizens is discriminatory. In addition, the increased availability of accessible transportation options will result in considerable savings to the state Medicaid program as the cost of paying ambulettes to transport wheelchair users to the medical appointments will decrease significantly.
To sign up as a volunteer to receive Action Alerts
click here: email Josie Longstreet
