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Able Tales Newsletter
SILC Addresses Disability Issues in Washington DC
Members of the Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) visited Washington
Janet White, a resident of Waterbury Center and member of the Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council, recently visited Washington D.C. to address issues for people with disabilities.
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recently to participate in a national effort to address priority issues for people with disabilities. Approximately five hundred people, many using wheelchairs, scooters and other assistive equipment, marched and rolled through Washington and on to Capitol Hill in an effort to address civil rights, housing issues, Medicaid, MiCASSA, the ADA and rights for students with disabilities. SILC member Janet White of Waterbury Center and SILC executive coordinator Lynne Goodson participated in the march and went on to meetings at the offices of Senators Jeffords and Leahy and Congressman Bernie Sanders.
"Transportation issues in Vermont were a top priority for our discussions.
Vermont residents joined others from around the country in a march to Capitol Hill to increase awareness of the needs of people with disabilities.
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There are still many areas in our state that offer no public transportation, leaving people without access to basic necessities," said Lynne Goodson. MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Support Act, an effort to end institutional bias and allow people the choice of living in their own communities and homes, was also a focus. "People want to have a choice, and most would prefer to live in their own homes with services, as opposed to having to live in an institutional setting," said Goodson. "The current system is expensive and as demographics change, there is more and more strain on the system. It only makes sense that if there is a less expensive way for people to be able to live independently as participating members of their communities, that this should be an option".
The Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council's efforts in Washington addressed a number of other issues that are faced by Vermonters with disabilities including
Vermonters and others recently visited Washington D.C. to advocate for people with disabilities. Pictured participants carry a banner with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
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a bill that was recently passed by The House of Representatives that could amend the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The house bill calls for a reduction of procedural protection and rights for students with disabilities. "We believe that all children in Vermont should have access to the general curriculum without discrimination, and that we should have a system that is preparing our youth, with and without disabilities, for transition into the workforce," said Goodson.
Prior to returning to Vermont, the SILC representatives voted on issues at the National Council on Independent Living's annual meeting. The mission of the Vermont Statewide Independent Living Council is to advance the equality with which people with disabilities enjoy, participate in and contribute to the lives of their communities, families and friends.
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