On June 16 to 19, United Spinal Association, East Elmhurst, NY, has announced that it and leaders from the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) will gather in Washington, DC for the second annual Roll on Capitol Hill (ROCH) event. The event is intended to allow wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities to directly express to legislators the need for greater access to health care, wheelchairs, and policymakers.
According to a news release from United Spinal, event attendees will be provided with the opportunity to visit the Capitol Hill offices of their representatives and other key legislators to personally discuss policies that impact their lives and protect their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Paul J. Tobin, president, CEO, United Spinal, notes that the gathering, “empowers individuals with disabilities to be part of the dialogue on Capitol Hill and at the state and local level.”
The release reports that during this time, Sen John McCain (R, Ariz)will also be receiving the VetsFirst Congressional Bronze Star Award on June 18 in recognition of his efforts to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). VetsFirst is a program of United Spinal Association and the treaty is designated in the release as “the first treaty to address disability rights globally.”
Additional legislators slated to be honored include Sen Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), who will receive the James J. Peters Disability Rights Champion Award for his leadership and championing of the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities. Sen Xavier Becerra (D, Calif) will reportedly receive the Junius A. Kellogg Award for Outstanding Congressional Leadership in recognition of his commitment and dedication to advancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
ROCH attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a full day of policy briefings from key Capitol Hill staffers, advocates, and agency officials on June 17, United Spinal states. The briefings are scheduled to include a keynote speech from Henry Claypool, executive vice president for policy, American Association of People with Disabilities.
The release notes that legislative issues that will serve as the focal point of ROCH include ensuring greater access to durable medical equipment and related services, prescription drugs and outpatient therapy, competitive integrated employment opportunities, the preservation of disability benefits under social security, and civil rights protections.
For more information about the public policy priorities United Spinal will address at ROCH, click here
Source: United Spinal Association
