The following post is the text of a speech that was presented on Monday to Members of Congress by Alex Howard, Jenna Silver and Emily Hernandez. All three are members of Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge, California who attended the RAC’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport L’Taken Social Justice Seminar last weekend.
We are here to discuss the critical issue of our country’s lack of disability rights. Currently, 54 million Americans are forced to face the daily struggle of living with a disability. Those in this tragically large number are very limited when it comes to being active members of society. In fact, they are compelled to be quite the opposite.
In order for this 17 percent of Americans to receive essential care such as medication and therapy, many of them must leave their homes and families to live in government funded institutions. This leaves 70 percent of disabled unemployed, and deprived of opportunities to utilize their unique skills and contribute to American society. Not only is this deprivation immoral, it is denying our nation the chance to benefit from their potential input.
Our goal today is to encourage support for The Community First Choice
Option amendment to improve the lives of those suffering from
disabilities. This Amendment strives to alter government funding for
the disabled from segregated institutions to local programs in which
members can receive proper care within their own household. This way,
they are not forced to become outcasts as a means of survival.
As members of the Reform Jewish Movement, it is crucial for us to
adhere to our beliefs in fair treatment within our community. We are
taught, “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block
before the blind.” By making institutions the only place for the
disabled to obtain the care they need, our nation is restricting, or
“placing a block,” in front of their ability to pursue relationships
with others, as well as careers. An important part of Jewish values
includes an obligation of uniting all members of a community.
I feel like this is a very important issue to advocate because it
impacts me on a personal level. I have three brothers who have autism,
so I know firsthand the importance adequate programs have on their well
being and happiness. My mother struggled to find a job for my oldest
brother, Justin. She was successful in doing so, however it required
intensive research and “knowing the system”. He currently works at the
Marriot hotel, which has a commitment to employ those with special
needs. I can’t tell you how thrilled he is to be able to go to work
everyday, and take on responsibilities for himself. He has the
opportunity to utilize his skill and become an active member in
society. He was extremely fortunate to have received this opportunity,
for it is a rare thing to find in our current system in helping the
disabled.
I feel it is very important for everyone who is disabled to receive
this same opportunity as Justin did. It shouldn’t be so that one must
know how to “work the system” in order to be active in a community.
People who are not fortunate enough to find these seemingly hidden
programs shouldn’t be torn apart from their children by sending them to
placement homes so they could receive the vital care they need.
Programs, and information about the programs, need to be directly
presented to families. I hope that through the Community First Choice
Amendment, others with disabilities will feel the same satisfaction as
Justin does in having a role in society.
We ask that you will support the Community First Choice
Amendment to the Health Care Reform bill in order to provide those 54
million with the chance to not only participate as active members of
this country, but for the first time, be encouraged to do so as well.