The U.S. House of Representatives approved a budget bill that would cut $800 billion from Medicaid and $300 billion from SNAP. This bill is now set to be considered by the U.S. Senate. Slashing funding at this scale will lead to fewer services, fewer caregivers, and fewer life-sustaining services, and some may lose eligibility altogether. Medicaid is already the most cost-efficient health insurance program, with safeguards in place to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. These dangerous cuts must be stopped.

Disability Pride Month is just around the corner—July! Help raise awareness about disability rights by sharing this exclusive content from The Arc U.S. and check out their blog post to learn why and how to celebrate!

This free event will feature an overview of new disability-related laws, a summary of disability issues that remain unaddressed, a discussion on topics lawmakers may cover in the legislative interim, and a Q&A session with public policy analysts and disability advocates.

Read and share this blogpost about the resurgence in our culture of the R-word, and hear directly from people with IDD, including members of The Arc of Texas Board of Directors and Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, about why this is so harmful.

An excerpt from The Daily Texan: Former Texas Sen. Beverly Powell introduced Building Better Futures once in the 2021 legislative session, but it did not pass. She said her experience in public education introduced her to the need for programs supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “What better way to provide a career pathway, a life pathway, to students than to make sure that students of every walk of life have the same kinds of opportunities?” Powell said. Texas Rep. John Bucy III introduced the program again this year. Bucy said in a statement that The Arc of Texas, a non-profit organization advocating for Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was instrumental in the passage of this bill.
Brooke Hohfeld, co-executive director of Texas Advocates, a self-advocacy organization for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, testified at the Texas Capitol about her experience going out of state to attend a New Mexico program in 2006. “In a 20-year span, there’s not really been that much progress,” Hohfeld said. “For the legislature, it was a wake-up call.”

An excerpt from Texas Public Radio: “The reason these systemic issues persist is because the State has failed to establish a regulatory system that holds providers accountable,” said Beth Mitchell, supervising attorney for Disability Rights Texas. […] “Providers have little incentive to improve, and vulnerable individuals continue to pay the price.” she said. Revelations around how this system is underfunded and oftentimes unaccountable are not new. The Arc of Texas found the average wage for someone providing care for an intellectually disabled person was $10.60. The rate was raised to $13 in the last legislative session.

Brandeis University’s Lurie Institute is conducting a study on what young people with disabilities think is important for their sexual health. The study aims to learn how families, doctors, schools, and communities can help young people with disabilities take care of their sexual health. Interviewees receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Contact Janelle Mills at youthstudy@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3928 to sign up.

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is hosting an Educators Conference as part of its annual convention, “Celebrating All,” which offers hands-on, research-based strategies education professionals can implement immediately to support students with Down Syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Questions? Email kim@ndsccenter.org.

Poor oral health, a major undiagnosed issue for people with disabilities, can lead to pain, infections, and bigger health issues. Watch the webinar recording and check out the toolkit to learn about hosting Dental Office Open Houses. Learn why and how to team up with local dentists where people with IDD can tour offices, meet staff, and ease visit anxiety.