PRESS RELEASE
For more information:
Kelly Buckland (208) 869-4135
Shannon Jones (913) 486-4565
Brad Williams (518) 424-8121
Disability rights protestors force meeting with Bush Administration
WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2008)
Over 200 disability rights advocates from across the country protested outside the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) located at Potomac Center Plaza.
The boisterous group chanted until the Assistant Secretary of OSERS, Tracy Justesen, came down and agreed to meet with a delegation from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The NCIL delegation presented the memberships demands to the Assistant Secretary.
Specifically at issue is RSA's recent interpretation of the Rehabilitation Act and the negative impact it will have on the operation of Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC's). Despite years of accepted operation, RSA has limited the scope of councils so that they function according to minimum statutory duties.
"In Kansas, by advocating for public policy issues, we have increased the employment rate for people with disabilities by 20%," stated Shannon Jones of Topeka, Kansas. "These types of advocacy efforts are being thwarted by RSA's narrow interpretation of SILC duties. Once again, people with disabilities will be marginalized because of bureaucratic nonsense."
After meeting for more than an hour, RSA agreed to respond in writing to NCIL's demands. While NCIL looks forward to their response, they are concerned about how these restrictions will continue to impede policy related to people with disabilities.
For more information:
Kelly Buckland (208) 869-4135
Shannon Jones (913) 486-4565
Brad Williams (518) 424-8121
Disability rights protestors force meeting with Bush Administration
WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2008)
Over 200 disability rights advocates from across the country protested outside the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) located at Potomac Center Plaza.
The boisterous group chanted until the Assistant Secretary of OSERS, Tracy Justesen, came down and agreed to meet with a delegation from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The NCIL delegation presented the memberships demands to the Assistant Secretary.
Specifically at issue is RSA's recent interpretation of the Rehabilitation Act and the negative impact it will have on the operation of Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC's). Despite years of accepted operation, RSA has limited the scope of councils so that they function according to minimum statutory duties.
"In Kansas, by advocating for public policy issues, we have increased the employment rate for people with disabilities by 20%," stated Shannon Jones of Topeka, Kansas. "These types of advocacy efforts are being thwarted by RSA's narrow interpretation of SILC duties. Once again, people with disabilities will be marginalized because of bureaucratic nonsense."
After meeting for more than an hour, RSA agreed to respond in writing to NCIL's demands. While NCIL looks forward to their response, they are concerned about how these restrictions will continue to impede policy related to people with disabilities.
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