For Immediate Release
Disability Rights Vermont is hosting its first Voting Rights event on the Statehouse lawn, this Thursday, Sept. 26 from 11 am to 1 pm. The event is intended to raise awareness about issues at stake in the upcoming election that are critical to Vermonters living with disabilities, and to provide information and resources from a variety of community organizations with the shared goal of improving civic engagement among Vermonters of all abilities.
Vermont disability groups will welcome the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice at the event. The Caravan is crisscrossing the nation on a 20,000 trek, stopping at cities and towns to promote civic engagement and celebrate decades of disability activism.
One national issue the Caravan hopes to highlight is the LaTonya Reeves Freedom Act, which is a bipartisan and bicameral civil rights bill that would protect and expand the civil right of Americans with disabilities to receive long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the setting of their choice. Previously known as the Disability Integration Act, the bill includes a requirement that public entities address the need for affordable, accessible, integrated housing that is independent of service delivery.
“It’s timely that national groups are raising awareness about the need to fully realize the promise of the Supreme Court’s 1999 decision, Olmstead v. LC,” explained Lindsey Owen, JD, Executive Director of Disability Rights Vermont.
“Recent policymaking in Vermont has focused on creating new institutions for various groups of people with disabilities – including seniors, youth with mental health conditions, and justice-involved citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” continued Owen. “What we need instead is investment in our community-based service providers and in affordable, accessible housing.”
Voter registration, information tables, and light refreshments will be available at the Statehouse lawn event. Inquiries regarding accommodations should be directed to Anna Tosi at the Vermont Center for Independent Living anna@vcil.org . ASL interpretation has been requested.
This event is being organized by Disability Rights Vermont, the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Vermont Center for Independent Living,
For more Information Contact:
Lindsey Owen, Disability Rights Vermont
lindsey@disabilityrightsvt.org
1-800-834-7890