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TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups
FROM: Susan Goodman, Director, Governmental Affairs
DATE: April 9, 2007
Direct Support Worker Bill - Need Co-Sponsors
In order to live independently, people with Down syndrome and other disabilities rely on direct support workers to help them manage daily life. The degree of assistance required depends on individual need. For example, these workers assist people with daily medications, dressing, preparing and eating meals, other appointments and generally handling daily affairs.
Unfortunately, direct support workers have a very high turnover rate - reportedly as high as 75% each year -- because of poor wages and high job demand. This seriously threatens the opportunities for our sons and daughters to live successfully in the community.
One of the important steps being taken to address this issue is the introduction of the Direct Support Worker Bill (H.R. 1279) in the U.S. House of Representatives by Lois Capps (D-CA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) March 1, 2007. The purpose of H.R. 1279 whose purpose is to provide funds to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid Program.
To see a list of the cosponsors, click here:
Action Needed: Urge your House members to Support H.R. 1279 by co-sponsoring the bill. Below is a sample e-mail provided that you may wish to adapt to your needs.
Sample E-mail (Request to co-sponsor):
I write to urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 1279, critical legislation intended to stabilize the workforce providing long-term daily supports to Americans with disabilities.
Direct support professionals assist millions of people with disabilities of all ages living, working and volunteering in their communities. Individuals with disabilities build close, trusted relationships with these people who are dedicated to helping them live as independently as possible.
Sadly, inadequate wages have led to high turnover and growing vacancies. As many as 75 percent of all these support positions turn over each year because of poor wages and high job demands while hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities are waiting for services. Because of the vital role these workers play, coupled with the high turnover rate and growing vacancies, people with disabilities lives are significantly at-risk.
The median wage for these workers is just $8.86 an hour - well below the median wage for all U.S. workers and comparable workers in the public sector. Even pet groomers and fast food workers frequently earn more and get steadier raises than the workers supporting people with disabilities
I ask you to help ensure that people with disabilities get the quality, consistent supports they deserve by co-sponsoring H.R. 1279, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2007. This bill, introduced by Representatives Lois Capps (D- CA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) will provide states with the necessary funds to give private direct support workers assisting people with disabilities more appropriate compensation.
Please send a copy of your communication to Susang1961@aol.com.
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UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities
On Friday, March 30, 2007, 80 countries signed the U.N. Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities. The convention, which is also known as a treaty, was the first ever to address the rights of people with disabilities. Nineteen more countries must sign the convention before it is ratified. By ratifying a convention, and after the treaty comes into force, a country accepts its legal obligations under the treaty and will adopt implementing legislation. Other human rights treaties, such as conventions on the rights of children and women, have had a major effect in addressing rights violations. The United States did not sign the convention.
According to Dick Thornburgh, U.S. attorney general from 1988 to 1991 and undersecretary general of the United Nations in 1992-93 and Al Reich, a former deputy assistant secretary of state, who is president of the National Organization on Disability, former Attorney General of the United States,
"the Administration has taken the position that disability is neither a human rights issue nor predicate for international law, but strictly a domestic policy matter. Because the United States has already enacted disability legislation -- the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- the U.N. initiative is mooted by our own legal accomplishment, according to the State and Justice departments. Problems faced by people with disabilities in other countries, they imply, should be dealt with by their respective governments."
American Association for People with Disabilities, November, 2004
News releases about the U.N. Convention can be read at http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/news.shtml#press
To read to text of the Convention, go to http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
We will keep you updated on developments and action needed.
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If you have questions or comments about the Newsline, please contact Susan Goodman at Susang1961@aol.com. |
