Build Back Better, Better Jobs Act
As America moves towards pandemic recovery it is essential now more than ever that we make massive investments in expanding access to Home-Community Based Services (HCBS) for kids and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities regardless of IQ, or at risk of institutionalization. Our service system must be reformed into a pro-active system that enables people with disabilities and their families to get access to HCBS without being put on wait lists for decades or needing to be in crisis to get services. Community Living has been shown to be safer than segregated settings like day programs, group homes, institutions, and so forth. In addition when people like me live in the community we often live longer and have better health, life outcomes. The COVID19 pandemic proves this when we look at COVID19 risk in segregated settings compared to those who self direct their services who may have lower risk of the virus.
As we reform our system it is essential that we move from a system centered model to a truly person centered system that supports self determination, self direction, individualized support in the community.
In order to make this happen we must invest in affordable accessible housing, public transit, and a highly trained Direct Support Workforce that is paid livable wages , decent benefits like paid sick days, leave, vacation days, tuition reimbursement, and so forth. Along with access to paid training on a variety of topics like autism, effective job coaching, self determination, self advocacy, health disparities, health promotion and much more. Being paid a livable wage is a human right. A nation is judged by how a society treats its most vulnerable. A long term care expansion is essential given that COVID19 is going to lead to more people becoming disabled due to Long COVID. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and we must plan for a society that can accommodate the challenges that come with being disabled.
On a personal level expanding access to HCBS and allowing us to buy into it and get access to HCBS via Medicaid state plan would make my life easier. As a person with autism, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia having access to HCBS would make my life easier in that it would allow me to get support with things like cleaning, budgeting, organizing, technology support, dealing with life transitions, stress management, medical management, managing public benefits, resolving tax issues and other complex problem that come up on a day to to day basis. Along with transportation to places not easily accessible via public transit. In the area of employment support expanding HCBS for all adults with autism would allow people like me to get job coaching that is critical to my success as a professional Disability Rights Advocate when it comes to various work tasks like drafting meeting agendas, dealing with computer malfunctions, editing written briefs on challenging topics like doctor house call interviews and so forth. In addition to things like facilitating meetings, organizing files, preparing and creating presentations, editing,writing things in plain English, managing deadlines to name a few.
When I lived in Vermont and got HCBS services I self directed my waiver and found self direction to be very empowering. It is vital that we expand self direction and resources available to support people who self direct their services in hiring, and retaining high quality job coaches and support staff that are critical in keeping my anxiety and stress to a minimum. Self Direction is one of the safest models in the era of COVID19.
MAKE AMERICA RELAX, MAKE AMERICA LESS STRESSED
Nicole LeBlanc
