Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary

by | Jul 26, 2019 | Human Services, Inclusion, Legislation

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) represented a groundbreaking leap forward in the Disability Rights Movement. On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed it into law, proclaiming that “every man and woman can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.” Individuals who were once looked down upon or excluded from society now had the right to participate freely and equally in daily American life, without fear of discrimination. The first of its kind, the ADA also paved the way for similar laws to take hold in other countries.

At the time of its signing, protection for people with disabilities was sorely needed. Although the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s had succeeded in advancing the rights of racial minorities and women, people with disabilities were not protected under legislation until Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed, which prohibited discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability for those who received federal funds. However, this law did not fully protect individuals from discrimination in the workplace or other public and private venues – a gap that the ADA sought to fill. Senator Tom Harkin, whose brother was deaf, penned the ADA and brought it before the Senate; yet he did not act alone.

Countless disability rights activists and organizations, many of whom had disabilities themselves, fought long and hard for the passage of the ADA. On March 12, 1990, over 60 disability rights activists with physical disabilities descended on the U.S. Capitol Building, ditching their mobility devices and beginning the long crawl up its 83 steps. This act of protest, now called “the Capitol Crawl,” was in response to the long delay in passing the ADA and ultimately spurred Senators to pass the bill through the House of Representatives.

Today, the ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment, government services, housing, transportation, and public accommodations. It stands as a reminder of how far we have come as a society, as we continue to “redefine what’s possible.”

— Written by Kylie Morin, UMass Lowell Intern

Letter from the President

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Arc, Human Services, Legislation

Dear Friends, 

You, as a member of our CLASS family, need to know about the workforce crisis facing human services organizations like CLASS across the Commonwealth. Recruiting and retaining highly qualified Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) is becoming increasingly difficult in a tight labor market where our reimbursement rates from the state aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of employment.

The individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by CLASS depend on the DSP workforce to live successful, integrated lives in our communities. Unfortunately, there is currently a DSP workforce crisis, which means that the workforce is getting smaller as the need for services for people with I/DD increases. Low wages and poor benefits, along with other contributing factors, have led to a high turnover and vacancy rates. CLASS has an annual staff turnover rate of 35 percent, with 30 percent leaving in the first 90 days of employment. The Commonwealth must act now to turn things around. Our staff is motivated by a passion for their work, but they should not have to choose between their commitment to meaningful work and earning a paycheck that will sustain their families.

With this in mind, The Arc of Massachusetts is championing legislation in the Massachusetts State House and Senate, An Act relative to meeting the human services workforce demand (HD 1130). This initiative seeks investment during the next four years in our system to achieve the necessary salary levels to recruit and retain a qualified workforce and to drive system innovation and improvement.

Find more information at TheArcofMass.org/workforce/ about The Arc of Massachusetts Workforce Initiative.

I urge you to contact your legislator and tell them you support the human services Workforce Initiative. You can find your legislators and their contact information at TheArcofMass.org/advocacy/ by clicking on “Take Action.”

Join us in supporting this bill and giving it, and the individuals we support, the priority they deserve!

 

Alfred J. Frugoli

President & CEO