Battle of Equality for Fare Wages for Employees with Disabilities

By Justin Young, Pooled Trust Advocate

Throughout the history of our great nation, there has been an ongoing issue of the Battle for Equality for the Disability community.  Over the years much ground has been covered with the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), the American’s with Disabilities Act (1990), the American’s with Disabilities Amendments Act (2008), and several other forms of federal legislation related to the equal rights of those with disabilities.

Working with Albany can be Easy

By Justin Young, Pooled Trust Advocate

On March 13, 2013 I had the opportunity to participate in an ADAPT action held in Albany, NY.  I was excited particularly for this adventure because I had never been to Albany before.  I must say I was impressed with the organization presented by the group leaders I observed while waiting for the bus to be loaded.  This organization was the quickness of checking to see if all were present and accounted for, checking all medicine people would need throughout the day, and all other steps necessary to begin our travel.

Snapshot of the Final Budget

By Leah Farrell, Manager of Government Affairs

What has been an intense and truncated budget season is coming to a close as Legislators begin to vote on the final budget bills.  The bills are printed, the advocacy dust is settled and now we must look at how the soon to be enacted budget will impact the independence and integration of people with disabilities.

Components of an Olmstead Plan

By Leah Farrell, Manager of Government Affairs

The State is designing the Olmstead Plan, which we expect to be released this May.   The following is a quick reference of the components we believe should be incorporated into the Plan in order to effectively address the needs of people with disabilities who want to live in the community.

Above all, we believe the Plan must result in the movement of people and dollars out of institutional settings and into the community.