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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Governmental Affairs: Advocacy in action. Read current and previous Legislative Network Alerts. View a listing of the Legislative Network Members. Frequently asked questions about the Legislative Network. |
Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 183 February 16, 2007 Action Requested Restoration of Full Funding To Title I of the Rehabilitation Act To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs For those who read on the run, take a minute please to read this Alert which deals solely with the issue of proposed funding cuts in the President's 2008 Budget to Title I, the basic State grants program, and Title VI of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The President's 2008 budget proposes to ELIMINATE the cost-of-living increase (also known as the Consumer Price Index adjusted for Urban areas (CPIU)) from Title I of the Rehabilitation Act. This potential loss of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS will hurt individuals with disabilities seeking to have a career and to live as independently as they choose in the community. The President's 2008 budget also proposes, once again, to ELIMINATE funding for Projects With Industry (PWIs), Supported Employment, Migrants and Seasonal Farm Workers and Recreation, programs funded under Title VI and other Titles of the Rehab Act, by consolidating (eliminating) these programs into Title I of the Rehab Act. If we allow these enormous, serious funding cuts to occur, we are looking at a potential funding cut in Title I of approximately 100 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY. The National Rehabilitation Association will conduct its 26th Annual Legislative Summit beginning on Sunday, March 11 and culminating on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, with NRA's Day on the Hill, at the King Street Alexandria Hilton, in old Town Alexandria. We will be devoting an entire session at the Summit to the ELIMINATION OF MILLIONS of DOLLARS from Title I proposed in the President's 2008 Budget. Title I of the Rehab Act provides the funding for the training by qualified rehabilitation counselors and employment to eligible individuals with disabilities, including those individuals with significant disabilities. Congress intended that Title I receive the cost of living increase annually to assist in reducing the rate of unemployment among individuals with disabilities who face multiple barriers to pursuing careers and living independently in the community. ELIMINATING the cost-of-living increase will result in LESS individuals with disabilities being served by the State/Federal/Public/Private VR program, result in an even higher rate of unemployment among individuals with disabilities than we have now, and will HURT individuals with disabilities who seek economic and personal independence. TELL CONGRESS TO RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO TITLE I OF THE REHAB ACT AND NOT ATTEMPT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. The VR Program has served MILLIONS of eligible individuals with disabilities over 8 decades. And, when we say 'served' we mean assistance with career planning, career counseling and development and employment training and placement by qualified rehabilitation counselors. REDUCING FUNDING FOR TITLE I of the Rehab Act will force some individuals with disabilities who wish to work and live independently to seek public assistance because LESS AND LESS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WILL RECEIVE SERVICES from the VR Program. We know, too, that the VR Program has an impressive return on investment. Indeed, for every 1 dollar spent in serving SSI/SSDI recipients/beneficiaries, 6 of taxpayer dollars is returned to the U.S. Treasury. TELL CONGRESS TO RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO TITLE I OF THE REHAB ACT AND NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. If the Congress does not restore funding to Title I of the Rehab Act, waiting lists for the proven services and supports that the VR Program provides will return in many States and many individuals with disabilities will be left behind as the door to the American Dream closes due to reduced funding proposed in the President's 2008 budget. TELL CONGRESS TO RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO TITLE I OF THE REHAB ACT AND NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. If the Congress does not restore full funding to Title I of the Rehab Act, thousands of individuals with significant disabilities will have no where to go for services because many times individuals with significant disabilities' services and supports cost more and require the services of staff that are fully qualified to assist those individuals who desire challenging careers and full independence. Employers and businesses tell us through the VR Business Network, which has presented at NRA's Legislative Summit for the past 4 years, how important proper training of employees is to them and to the viability of their businesses. Consumers of VR services, coupled with their self-determination, are prepared to tackle the tasks presented to them in an increasingly globalized world because of the services and supports they receive from the qualified personnel in the VR Program and their Community Rehabilitation Partners (CRPs). Businesses want well-trained, reliable employees. The Public/Private VR Program provides well-trained and reliable consumers to many businesses. Don't let down consumers: Don't let down businesses who need and appreciate well-trained employees with disabilities. Call Congress now and tell them: RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO TITLE I OF THE REHAB ACT AND NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. How many times have we heard from consumers of the VR Program at NRA's Legislative Summits and in other forums that the services and supports that they received provided much-needed HOPE to them to live the American Dream. DON'T DASH THE HOPE -- call your Representatives now and tell them: RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO TITLE I OF THE REHAB ACT AND DON'T BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. This coming week, Members of Congress will be back in their Districts and States for the Presidential Day Recess and that is the time to contact your Member of Congress (both Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle) and implore them to restore full funding to Title I of the Rehab Act. If you would prefer to call your Senators and Representatives here in Washington, D.C. you can call the Capitol operator by calling 202-224-3121. And, always remember: 'All Politics Is Local.' Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at NRA's 26th Annual Legislative Summit in March. |
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