SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Advocates are hoping the new year will bring with it a signature on a bill they say protects and strengthens supports for people with disabilities.

Senate Bill 261 was sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner early this month. The legislation was in response to Illinois' Department of Human Services' new overtime policies that cut overtime pay and may force families to have to hire caregivers from outside the family.

Ann Ford, executive director of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, said most families can't afford to do that, and they don't always trust that the care from others will be top quality.

"An individual living in their own home who is eligible for the Home Services Program has the right to hire whoever they choose to provide their services," she said.

This summer, Rauner vetoed legislation that would have meant a $15-an-hour wage for home health-care workers who serve people with disabilities, saying there isn't enough money in the budget to cover it.

Ford said some of the people with disabilities need care 24/7, 365 days a year, and feel their needs are private and don't feel comfortable having a stranger take care of them.

"Services such as helping somebody in and out of bed, helping somebody shower, helping somebody use the bathroom, very private, personal things that you don't want a stranger to come into your home and provide for you," she explained.

Ford said people with disabilities in the Home Services Program are placed at great risk when their personal attendants' hours are limited to 40 hours per week because many of them need care around the clock. She said SB 261 protects those who need care and lets them live in their own home with dignity.


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Nevada leaders and community groups are pleased with this week's decision by state utility regulators to reject NV Energy's request to raise its basic service charge for Northern Nevada customers by 175%.

The final decision allowed an increase of the basic service charge by $2 a month, bringing the total to $18.50 a month for homeowners, matching the rate for Southern Nevada customers. The state's largest electric utility had asked to raise the basic service charge to just over $45.

Ace Patrick, board member of the Nevada Statewide Independent Living Council, said the initial request would have put a tremendous strain on many, including people with disabilities and on limited budgets.

"Many people here in my apartment complex are on a fixed income," Patrick pointed out. "You literally are deciding, 'Well, how hot can I tolerate the summers here?' And there are people here who I've walked into their apartments and it's been intolerable."

In a written statement, NV Energy said, "Our teams are in the process of analyzing the various components of the order and what it means to northern Nevada customer bills and rates. We appreciate the work of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on this case." Changes go into effect Oct. 1.

NV Energy claimed the proposal was designed to help stabilize energy bills in Northern Nevada and protect the company's revenue streams from other competing forms of energy, like solar. Patrick contended the company is putting profits over the best interest of its customers.

"I've heard a lot of complaints about, 'Oh my gosh, the cost of utilities is just unreal - on top of rent, on top of everything else,'" Patrick noted.

Patrick added they receive assistance from the Reno Housing Authority but even so, their monthly income barely covers the rent. So, while a $2 increase may not seem like a lot, bills can quickly start to add up over time.

Although classes are back in session, all New York City public schools still aren't entirely disability accessible.

Reports find more than two thirds of schools across the five boroughs don't comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The previous capital improvement plan invested $750 million for ADA school upgrades. But, this only made one third of schools accessible.

Molly Senack, education and employment community organizer with the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York, said this is unfortunate for students with disabilities.

"Those students are limited in the way they can choose what schools they want to attend," said Senack, "and it also means families and caregivers of students are limited in the way that they get to participate in their children's education."

Some groups want the city's Department of Education to allocate more than $1 billion for ADA compliance upgrades. Though this seems like a lot, it's making up for lost ground.

In 2015, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York reported the city failed to meet its ADA compliance requirements.

But Senack noted that the biggest challenge is staffing shortages throughout the Department of Education.

Beyond physical disabilities, New York City schools also face shortcomings in helping students with intellectual disabilities.

Reports show there aren't enough Special Education Certified teachers for students who need them. Senack said lacking professionals prevents some students from getting the education they need.

"For students with any disability," said Senack, "unfortunately, there is a pretty significant backlog in misrelated services where families have essentially filed complaints and requests for these missed services, and they are still waiting years later."

Lawsuits have been filed over the years to bring the city into compliance, though it's uncertain how effective those have been.

The most recent case relates to providing compensatory services for students who couldn't get regular school services during the pandemic.

Utah lags behind the national average of identifying children for autism.

In an effort to improve the state's standing, the Institute for Disability, Research, Policy and Practice at Utah State University will offer free, remote early identification of autism training for Utah service providers.

Janel Preston, special educator at the university, said when early identification is missed, children and families are not getting critical services to increase overall quality of life.

"It is really important for providers, as well as just the general public, to have a better understanding of what autism is," Preston urged. "And how we can help support and increase that awareness, acceptance."

Data from 2020 show 10 Utah children per 1,000 were identified to have autism by age 4. The national average is more than 20 per 1,000. Preston pointed out the Autism ECHO sessions will start on Sept. 25 and will aim to give educators, providers, case managers, administrators and families the tools they need to improve identification.

Preston acknowledged it is hard to pinpoint why Utah falls behind in the early identification of autism but suspects it could be due to lack of access. She added in comparison to other states, Utah is pretty rural, which can pose unique challenges.

"If you live along the Wasatch Front you have access to a lot of things," Preston explained. "But coming maybe from San Juan County, that is a long drive into the Wasatch Front, which requires families to take time off from work, if you have a child that is not able to make transitions very easily that can then cause a ripple effect."

Preston added children who go years without being diagnosed can struggle to navigate interactions with peers, manage school work and get a job later in life.

Preston hopes the program provides all kinds of Utahns the ability to foster connections and community.

"I could say, 'Hey, I have this kid or this family, this is what is going on, what are some things that I could do? What are some resources that I might not be aware of?'" Preston emphasized.


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