STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN

NDRN's main focus in on the Protection and Advocacy (P&A and Client Assistance Program (CAP) funding contained in the Labor/ HHS /Appropriations bill. We are advocating for increases in those programs to reflect the increased workload of our members in the FY 2025 cycle. We also advocate for increases in programs that support people with disabilities in both the Labor/HHS appropriations bill, but also in other appropriations bills like THUD or CJS.

NDRN's work here focused on ensuring that veterans with disabilities have legislation passed to help them make the transition to civil life. Also,exploring funding for the work the P&As and CAPs have been doing with veterans. Finally we have been working to get legislation reintroduced to create a demonstration project and funding for P&As to monitor veteran facilities, specifically focused on veterans with mental health or substance use issues.

Raising the profile of the Protection and Advocacy system in the Native American population and the benefit the P&As could bring to issue for Native Americans with disabilities. Most specifically focused on the education issues faced by Native Americans with disabilities and trying to get the P&A system to be used to help address these issues and problems. Looking for dedicated funding to certain P&As to be able to permanently locate advocates where high concentrations of Native Americans are in this country,

Stopping the use of restraint and seclusion in schools and legislation in both House and Senate to create federal standards on the use of restraint andseclusion. Working to get the Keeping All Students Safe Act from previous Congresses introduced in the 118th Congress. Legislation reauthorize IDEA. With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, we are working on the implementation off ESSA. Creation of a protection and advocacy program focused on education. We are also working on testing issues to ensure accessibility and accommodations. Finally, ensuring that disability provisions are infused in other re-authorizations like the Higher Education Act.

We continue to work to make sure that the authority and access to people, records, and places that the P&A and CAP agencies have remain strong and robust. We follow both regulations and legislation to make sure that nothing infringes on this strong authority. So far in 2024 nothing has been introduced. We also work to ensure that the Americans with Disabilities Act remains a strong civil rights law. Representative Calvert has introduced an ADA notification bill that we will track. Additionally we work on issues surrounding the ADA and website accessibility. We also are working to ensure that the Home and Community Based Services rule implemented in the Obama Administration remains strong and not undercut by changes in regulation or law. Finally ensuring that the right to vote is accessible for people with disabilities.

Working to improve and phase out the sub-minimum wage (section 14(c)) of the Fair Labor Standards Act through legislation like the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Also looking at other ways to end sub-minimum wage and / or segregated employment of people with disabilities through better services and supports. Finally working with the Department of Labor to use the P&A Network to increase oversight and enforcement of the 14(c) program.

NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK

NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK