Hayes: New River Valley Disability Resource Center encourages access for all

By Frank Hayes

Hayes is Executive Director of the New River Valley Disability Resource Center.

On July 25, just two days before the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), several dozen people were arrested at the nation's capitol building. This may seem like no news these days as activism is a national trend and tradition. But some of those hauled away were in wheelchairs or accessible scooters.

It is certainly not the first time that people with visible and invisible disabilities have felt compelled to "sit in" and face the consequences. The disability rights movement has been alive since the 1960s, effecting significant change in legislation and public policy through the following three decades. For example, two days later, on July 27, the 27th anniversary of the ADA.

But with the current jeopardy around health care, the stakes are high enough that significant demonstrations have been going on all summer. Proposed changes to health care funding, and especially with Medicaid, will have exceptionally negative consequences on people with disabilities. Data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey notes that 48 percent of adults covered by the Medicaid expansion "are permanently disabled, have serious physical or mental limitations-caused by conditions like cancer, stroke, heart disease, cognitive or mental health disorders, arthritis, pregnancy, or diabetes-or are in fair or poor health."

In a press release about the D.C. protest, ADAPT, a grassroots organization that fights for the rights of Americans with disabilities, explained that the Medicaid cuts in the proposed bill would prove fatal to some: "The [bill] caps and significantly cuts Medicaid, which will greatly reduce access to medical care ... for elderly and disabled Americans who will either die or be forced into institutions. Our lives and liberty shouldn't be stolen to give a tax break to the wealthy."

A core value for individuals with disabilities is living independently, which is the foundational premise for Centers for Independent Living or CILs. The New River Valley Disability Resource Center, is Virginia's newest CIL. We work to assist individuals with disabilities in their journey to live independently. The Center serves the community by advocating for and creating an environment accessible to all. We work throughout the New River Valley, which consists of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and the towns within and the city of Radford.

No one from our team was detained that day. We were visiting with Congressman Morgan Griffith at the time of the arrests, but we participated in a march and rally at the Capitol earlier that morning, an event under official proceedings of the Annual Conference on Independent Living, organized and presented by the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). We marched with pride on behalf of our mission, our friends, our family members, our neighbors, and all Americans.

In addition to empowering ourselves and others through this public demonstration, we attended workshops on a range of important issues like ways to improve engagement with our public schools, methods for addressing upcoming changes in Medicaid, and how we can better address challenges particular to our rural region. According to American Communities Survey (2015), the New River Valley is home to approximately 21,000 people with disabilities. We are a staff of four, so we must be prepared to work efficiently. The NCIL workshops will help in this regard.

The trip provided opportunities to educate as well. We visited our federal officials' offices to discuss a range of legislative and advocacy priorities.

Articulating needs of our community is critical as the daily struggle may not be obvious to those with no disabilities. Our visit to the Capitol and the Mall, grounds supposed to be for all Americans presented numerous barriers to access.

CILs are required by law to have over half of our staff and board be individuals with disabilities. Two of our colleagues have mobility disabilities. Even the visit to our congressman's office required extensive maneuvering including pushing furniture into corners so our team could spend time in conversation with our Representative and members of his staff.

We were, of course, grateful for the time he provided. The day was fulfilling. We can only hope that our engagement will elevate awareness of all issues for citizens with disabilities, and that our elected officials respond accordingly to support our efforts for independence.

The New River Valley Disability Resource Center may be new, but we are committed to service and support. To our readers with disabilities, you are not alone. Reach out to begin a conversation on what we can do to improve your path to independence. To all, stay active and engaged. We are in a monumental struggle to preserve the gains secured through the past three decades.

New River Valley Disability Resource Center, www.nrvdrc.org, 540-266-1435

Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, Roanoke, www.brilc.org, 540-342-1231

Disability Rights and Resource Center, Rocky Mount, www.drrcva.org, 540-482-0752.