News & Events

Update on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Bills

After months of negotiations, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, strengthening the nation’s infrastructure and making other improvements such as making public transportation more accessible and increasing access to broadband internet. This bipartisan bill, which passed the House by a vote of 228-206, had already been passed out of the U.S. Senate in August by a vote of 69-30, so no further action is needed by Congress. President Biden is expected to sign this bill into law today.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Employment Legislation

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), as designated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The goal of NDEAM is to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to American’s workplaces and economy. This year’s theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,”  reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community inclusion during our nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update on the Build Back Better Reconciliation Bills

President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda contains many provisions designed to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of society. The plan includes expanding Medicare and Medicaid with unprecedented investments in Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).  It also calls for better pay and benefits for caregivers, increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities for disabled workers, and eliminating the payment of subminimum wage under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Convention Recap

Thank you to everyone who attended the 49th Annual NDSC Convention! The Policy Team was busy with our Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp as well as two other workshop sessions:

What’s Happening in D.C. & What You Can Do, was presented by  Stephanie Smith Lee and  Ricki Sabia.  Stephanie Smith Lee, Debra Hart of Think College, Destination Dawgs graduate Marina Martinez and her Mother Zoila Martinez presented the session  Introduction to Inclusive Higher Education

The Advocacy Training Boot Camp had over 350 live participants from all over the country! Topics included: Untangling the Legislative Process, Engaging with Elected Officials, A One-Pager Demo, Mock Legislator Meeting, Social Media Tips, and more!