Access Independence, Inc

06/20/2018

Here are the new emojis Apple wants to put on your iPhone

Here are the new emojis Apple wants to put on your iPhone

Hint: They're all about inclusion.

06/20/2018

If Mozilla gets its way, you'll be talking to your browser, and it'll talk back

Great for the disabled community

You could ask the browser, which boasts tremendous accessibility potential, to load a website, and it could read it to you.

06/20/2018

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)

From the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities:

Celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark #Olmsteaddecision by joining our fight to #FundMFP! Tell your Members of Congress why it is important to reauthorize Money Follows the Person in your state.

The Supreme Court in Olmstead recognized the right of people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. Money Follows the Person (MFP) helps people move out of nursing homes and institutions into their communities. MFP and the EMPOWER Care Act make Olmstead a reality for people with disabilities and seniors!

CALL CONGRESS TO HONOR THE OLMSTEAD ANNIVERSARY, SUPPORT COMMUNITY LIVING!

MFP has helped more than 75,000 seniors and people with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions into the community. MFP has improved the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, saved states money, and led to better outcomes. That’s why nearly every state has participated in the program!

But MFP expired September 30, 2016, and states are running out of funding. States are already scaling back their programs, and without funding, could have to completely eliminate them. Last year was the first time that the number of people transitioned to the community declined. Without action NOW, states will lose momentum and more people will be stuck in institutions.

WE NEED YOU TO TELL CONGRESS WHY MFP IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR STATE!

*Tell your Senators and Representatives that there is a bill, the EMPOWER Care Act, which would reauthorize this program https://medicaid.publicrep.org/empower-care-act/.*

For more information, and instructions for grassroots activists visit:
https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/national-call-in-day-save-funding-for-community-living/

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask to be connected to your Members of Congress to educate them about MFP and the Empower Act.

*Talking Points*
The Money Follows the Person Program brings people with disabilities and older adults back home to their communities

MFP allows some people to return home to start a job or go to college, reducing to the burden on federal programs.

The Money Follows the Person program gives people greater control over their lives.

It’s fiscally responsible! MFP improves the quality of life of individuals while saving states and the federal government Medicaid funding.

The program expired over a year ago. Without additional funding, states could scale back programs, potentially pulling the rug out from under the people who need it.

Talk about why this is important for you or someone you know, and your state. MFP frees people! MFP keeps families together! MFP reduces waiting lists!

In addition to Call In Day, you can also support #Olmstead #FundMFP via Social Media, https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/social-media-day-for-community-living/

Your grassroots can also send a message to your Members of Congress here, https://advocacy.aucd.org/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=431333 or here, http://takeaction.autism-society.org/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=477633.

Event Url:
https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/national-call-in-day-save-funding-for-community-living/

More information about MFP and the EMPOWER Care Act at www.protectourmedicaid.org/feature/money-follows-the-person/

06/20/2018

WHSV - TV 3

WHSV - TV 3

For some kids, riding a bike is not as easy as 1-2-3, but a few graduate students were there to help:

06/19/2018

F.R.E.E. Foundation of Virginia

F.R.E.E. Foundation of Virginia

If you are interested in helping us improve the quality of life for people in your community or to volunteer at one of our events, please contact the F.R.E.E. chapter nearest you by clicking on the CONTACT US tab at www.free-foundation.org.

06/19/2018

Charity Sparrow

Good Morning

06/14/2018

Access Independence, Inc's cover photo

06/12/2018

Disability Law Center of Virginia

HAPPY ELECTION DAY! Make your voices heard and GO VOTE! Polls open 6am-7pm.

You have the right to accessible polls! (Curbside voting, Accessible entrance, Clear path of travel, Correct equipment).

We can help you file a complaint. http://dlcv.org/voting-rights-survey/

06/12/2018

2018 "Roll your Own"

Obstacle Course

06/10/2018

Access Independence, Inc's cover photo

06/10/2018

Photos from Access Independence, Inc's post

06/10/2018

Photos from Access Independence, Inc's post

06/10/2018

Photos from Access Independence, Inc's post

06/08/2018

Thank you to Janet Davidson with Edward Jones for being a valuable sponsor of "Roll your Own" this year. Companies like yours help people with disabilities in our community live more independent lives !!

06/08/2018

Thank you to Chris and Rosie with Q102 for being a valuable sponsor of "Roll your Own" this year. Companies like yours help people with disabilities in our community live more independent lives !!