United Spinal Association’s free webinar series empowers advocates to address concerns of disability community at “Roll on Capitol Hill” in Washington, DC this June.
When it comes to impacting our government and legislation, it’s easy to feel powerless and disconnected.
If you think some politicians do not truly understand the daily challenges you face living with a disability, you’re not alone. Are you frustrated because you have a shabby wheelchair that prevents you from living an active and healthy lifestyle? Do current community services and supports fail to address your needs?
Don’t let your health and independence be threatened without a fight.
United Spinal Association’s Public Policy department is hosting a free webinar series providing resources and strategies so you can join our national effort to change policies that affect the disability community. There are many roads to empowerment and making a difference, whether it’s through self-advocacy, community activism, cutting through red tape, or simply understanding legislative lingo and how it pertains to you.
The idea for the webinar series came while planning our upcoming advocacy event in Washington, June 25-26, called Roll on Capitol Hill. This important gathering brings disability leaders from United Spinal Association and its membership division NSCIA to Capitol Hill to create an army of informed, educated advocates that can achieve the changes most sought after by the disability community.
The webinars play a key role in preparing consumer advocates for the Roll on Capitol Hill and with the feedback we receive from webinar participants, we are able to hone in on issues that directly impact the health, independence and quality of life of the people we serve. Your feedback equips our staff with real world experiences, allowing us to bring your specific concerns to Capitol Hill in June, so we can begin addressing them with legislators and policymakers.
Our first webinar took place in January. It highlighted proposed cuts to the Medicaid program at the federal level and how they will endanger critical services and supports from coast-to-coast. If you were unable to attend you can view it here.
Joe Isaacs, United Spinal’s VP of Public Policy was pleased with the turnout for the first webinar. “It shows that many individuals are eager to get off the sidelines and into the fight,” says Isaacs.
“We received many excellent questions from attendees and were gratified by the many compliments that were conveyed about the program’s exceptional value and clarity. Since then, we have responded to each and every question from participants whose insights have further edified our staff’s thinking on policy matters. A real win-win result,” adds Isaacs.
Mark your calendar for our remaining webinars in preparation for Roll on Capitol Hill:
• March 29 – “Eliminating Medicare Restrictions to Essential Services and Equipment: What Can You Do?”
• May 24 – “Disabled and Seeking Employment – Is the government helping you adequately?”
Tom Scott
Web Editor
