There Is More Work to Be Done to Tell Congress #WeAreEssential 

The disability community has been fighting hard to make sure that the needs of people with disabilities, family caregivers, and the direct support professional (DSP) workforce are included in the coronavirus relief legislation. Thank you!

But unfortunately it's not over yet: Congress just passed a bill that DOES NOT include a home and community-based grant program; recognition of DSPs as essential staff to provide access to desperately needed personal protective equipment (PPE); and paid leave for caregivers of people with disabilities. It also forces people with disabilities to file needless paperwork to access stimulus payments. These are vital needs for the disability community in the face of the pandemic!

Read The Arc's statement on the latest bill here.

Members of Congress will be back home in their states and districts for the next few weeks. We must continue to push—to make calls, send emails, tweets, videos, letters to the editors, and more—to make sure Members of Congress understand that as a disability community #WeAreEssential!

Here is what we need you to do:

Step 1: Keep Telling Congress #WeAreEssential

Congress must pass legislation to support the ESSENTIAL programs and workforce that help people with disabilities to lead independent lives – not in institutions!

We have updated Action Alerts with new talking points and sample messaging:

Call, send a message, and/or tweet your Members of Congress now. They must continue to hear from us!

Step 2: Spread the Word!

We must be visible! Do you have a cell phone with a camera? Take a short video of yourself answering one of the questions below:

• Without my direct support professional…
• The services that I get from Medicaid make it possible for me to…
• If my mom/dad/sister/brother can’t take time off work during this pandemic to support me…
• My stimulus check will help me pay for…
• My chapter of The Arc supports me to…

Then, post your video on social media with the hashtag #WeAreEssential and tag your Members of Congress (find them here). It's important to include the hashtag so that we see your story!