Advocacy Team
Home Services Program Spouse Exception, Hearing Aid Insurance, Legislative Accessibility Act
Here in Illinois, we are now swinging into a busy period with our state legislature. We’ve been compiling and reviewing bills related to people with disabilities, as well as providing guidance on other bills so they are more inclusive of people with disabilities. Today, we need your help with three bills! Read on to find o out more.
Spouses in the Home Services Program (HSP): SB 3132 is a bill proposed by DRS to allow spouses to become personal attendants under the Home Services Program, pending federal approval. The bill is being heard in committee at 3 pm tomorrow, Tuesday February 1, and support is needed via filing witness slips. Any individual or organization can file a witness slip. The link to file a witness slip is here. If you are submitting as an individual, you can say that you are representing “Self.” To show your support, check that you are a “proponent.” You should also check “record of appearance only” if you are not planning to send in testimony.
Covering Hearing Aids Under Insurance: HB 5514 is a bill by State Representative Natalie Manley to cover hearing aids under insurance for all ages. Hearing aids are a critical tool for maintaining many aspects of health, including mental and brain health; plus, they are critical for people who work and need communication access to stay employed. This bill needs cosponsors so please email your legislators to sign on in support at this link.
Sign Ons Needed for Legislative Accessibility Act: We are looking for organizations willing to show support for the Legislative Accessibility Act through a community sign on letter. This bill is intended to jumpstart basic discussions about access to our legislature’s public proceedings. If your organization supports the bill, please fill out the form at this link no later than 5 pm Central on Friday, February 4.
Please share these opportunities for action widely! These three bills are great ways for our legislators to meet the needs of Illinois constituents with disabilities.