We view the independent living movement as an interconnected mission that starts with an individual’s own steps to independence and ends with society’s inclusion and accommodation of people with disabilities. Advocacy is crucial to achieving the goals of this movement. Some of our current and most pressing initiatives include:
CIL is a partner in the development of the Ed Roberts Campus (ERC), an 86,057 square-foot center for people with disabilities to be built in Berkeley. Named after Edward V. Roberts (1939-1995), the father of the independent living movement, the $35 million project is financed through federal, state and private grants, as well as investment and commercial loans.
The seven disability services organizations collaborating on the ERC are Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP), Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT), Center for Independent Living (CIL), Computer Technologies Program (CTP), Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), Through the Looking Glass (TLG), and World Institute on Disability (WID).
The ERC will house the offices of the seven collaborating organizations and offer disability-related services in one accessible location. It will feature a conference center, a library, a computer/media resource center for conducting classes, a fitness center designed for people disabilities, a café, a child development center, retail shops, conference rooms, and office lease space.
People with disabilities will have access to assistive technologies such as listening systems, captioning technology, voice and Braille output, and voice recognition. These technologies will enable a high-degree of accessibility and the ability for the organizations’ employees with disabilities to work more efficiently. The center itself will serve as a model for how business can successfully accommodate people with disabilities and how organizations can work together for the benefit of the entire community.
Learn more by visiting the Ed Roberts Campus website.
A provision of the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act (H.R. 4954), recently passed by the House of Representatives, expands competitive bidding of durable medical equipment and assistive technology to a nationwide program. Under this provision, Medicare will award contracts for particular items or services to providers that submit the lowest bids.
CIL is concerned that large-scale competitive bidding will have a negative impact on people with disabilities who rely on durable medical equipment and assistive technologies to lead independent lives. Contracts awarded to the lowest bidder rather than on quality of service undermine quality of care, restrict choice, stifle the development of new technology, and may drive small businesses out of operation. This will ultimately raise prices.
CIL is actively urging members of Congress to oppose competitive bidding of medical equipment and technologies. We are also engaged in outreach activities to inform the public of this unfortunate piece of legislation.
To learn more about this or other advocacy efforts, please contact our Berkeley office.