1st Quarter - Report — NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK for NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK (2025)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

NDRN's main focus in on the Protection and Advocacy (P&A and Client Assistance Program (CAP) funding contained in the Labor/ HHS/Appropriations bill. We are advocating for increases in those programs to reflect the increased workload of our members in the FY 2025 cycle. We also advocate for increases in programs that support people with disabilities in both the Labor/HHS appropriations bill, but also in other appropriations bills like THUD or CJS. We also started to work and plan for the FY 2026 appropriations cycle.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Administration on Aging; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); President of the U.S.; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Office of the Vice President of the United States; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

We continue to work to make sure that the authority and access to people, records, and places that the P&A and CAP agencies have remain strong and robust. We follow both regulations and legislation to make sure that nothing infringes on this strong authority. So far in 2025 nothing has been introduced. We also work to ensure that the Americans with Disabilities Act remains a strong civil rights law. Representative Calvert has introduced an ADAnotification bill that we will track. Additionally we work on issues surrounding the ADA and website accessibility. We also are working to ensure that the Home and Community Based Services rule implemented in the Obama Administration remains strong and not under cut by changes in regulation or law. Finally ensuring that the right to vote is accessible for people with disabilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Administration on Aging; President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); SENATE

Communications/Broadcasting/Radio/TV COM

Following legislation and regulations that will either positively or negatively impact the ability of people with disabilities to use the full range of communication devices. This includes all forms of communication - television, phone, internet, and other communication paths.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: President of the U.S.; SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Administration on Aging; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Disaster Planning/Emergencies DIS

Working to increase Protection and Advocacy Systems access to disaster reliefs efforts to help ensure the protection of individuals with disabilities. Also working to ensure that disaster relief efforts are accessible and address the specific needs of people with disabilities. Finally, working to enact a source of direct funding for the P&As in declared emergency areas to be able to address issues impacting people with disabilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Administration on Aging

Education EDU

Stopping the use of restraint and seclusion in schools and legislation in both House and Senate to create federal standards on the use of restraintandseclusion. Working to get the Keeping All Students Safe Act from previous Congresses introduced in the 119th Congress. Legislation reauthorize IDEA. With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, we are working on the implementation off ESSA. Creation of a protection and advocacy program focused on education. We are also working on testing issues to ensure accessibility and accommodations. Finally, ensuring that disability provisions are infused in other re-authorizations like the Higher Education Act.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Education, Dept of; Office of the Vice President of the United States; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); President of the U.S.; Administration on Aging; SENATE; White House Office

Foreign Relations FOR

Working to reignite interest in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: President of the U.S.; State, Dept of (DOS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); White House Office; Office of the Vice President of the United States; SENATE

Health Issues HCR

Working to expand and against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Also arguing for expansion of the ACA through regulations and executive orders. Finally, advocating for expansion of Medicaid and Medicare along with the Home and Community Based Services rule.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Administration on Aging; Social Security Administration (SSA); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); President of the U.S.; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Education, Dept of; SENATE; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); White House Office; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Housing HOU

Advocating for housing bills that help individuals with disabilities afford and obtain housing. Working to strengthen Section 8 program and the national housing trust fund. Advocating for dedicated funding to the P&As to do housing related work, Finally, fighting to increase funding for housing programs in the FY 25 and 26 appropriations process.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); President of the U.S.; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office

Immigration IMM

Trying to get the Protection and Advocacy agencies access to the immigration system in order to help immigrants and detainees with disabilities have an advocate to ensure they are receiving services and supports they should be getting. This is especially true for those with psychiatric disability. Finally, working to get dedicated funding so that the P&As can do this work in immigration and ORR facilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: White House Office; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Education, Dept of; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); SENATE; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Administration on Aging; Executive Office of the President (EOP); U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Indian/Native American Affairs IND

Raising the profile of the Protection and Advocacy system in the Native American population and the benefit the P&As could bring to issue for Native Americans with disabilities. Most specifically focused on the education issues faced by Native Americans with disabilities and trying to get the P&A system to be used to help address these issues and problems. Looking for dedicated funding to certain P&As to be able to permanently locate advocates where high concentrations of Native Americans are in this country,

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Vice President of the U.S.; Administration on Aging; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; SENATE; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Education, Dept of; President of the U.S.; Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice LAW

Looking to get individual demonstration projects for P&As to address criminal and/or juvenile justice issues. Ensuring that criminal and police response to events includes considerations for accommodations of people with disabilities and the impacts of disabilities on the situation. NDRN is also following the ongoing attempts to implement criminal justice reforms and to make sure they include aspects beneficial to people with disabilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Justice Program; Vice President of the U.S.; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention; President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Working to improve and phase out the sub-minimum wage (section 14(c)) of the Fair Labor Standards Act through legislation like the Transformationto Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Also looking at other ways to end sub-minimum wage and / or segregated employment of people withdisabilities through better services and supports. Finally working with the Department of Labor to use the P&A Network to increase oversight and enforcement of the 14(c) program.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Vice President of the U.S.; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging; Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries MAR

Working to ensure that legislation and regulations regarding the Coast Guard, maritime, or boats consider the accessibility and safety of people with disabilities.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Working to strengthen regulations and guidance on Medicare and Medicaid that were part of the ACA. Working to ensure P&As receive death reports as it relates to the use of seclusion and restraint. Raising concerns with Medicaid funding being used to support segregated employment or non-community living situations for people with disabilities. Fighting proposals to cut funding for or block grant Medicaid. Supporting efforts to phase out work requirements on the Medicaid program. Working to extend funding for the Money Follows the Person program. Working to get P&As dedicated funding to support Medicaid work.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Education, Dept of; Vice President of the U.S.; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); President of the U.S.; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; Administration on Aging; Office of the Vice President of the United States

Retirement RET

NDRN in this area focuses on retirement and financial security issues for individuals with disabilities. This includes Social Security, tax lawissues,also trusts to care for individuals with a disability. Additionally we work on legislation and regulations for the ABLE accounts. NDRN now is also focused on implementation of the program for P&As to monitor representative payees. Re-authorization of the PABSS program is also a priority. Finally, we are working to beat back attempts to cut SSDI or unemployment insurance for people that receive both benefits.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Vice President of the U.S.; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Education, Dept of; White House Office; President of the U.S.; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Railroads RRR

In this issue area NDRN works on ensuring that Amtrak and all legacy stations are fully accessible for people with disabilities. Specifically we ask forincreased funding for Amtrak to address accessibility issues. We are also looking at at the Amtrak re-authorization to see how we can make this goal areality. Also looking at legislation to provide funding to cities and states to make legacy stations accessible. 17.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); President of the U.S.; White House Office; SENATE; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Vice President of the U.S.; Federal Railroad Administration; AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Telecommunications TEC

Working to ensure that legislation and regulations in the telecommunications area consider the implications for people with disabilities. Especially making sure that these issues are addressed up front at the beginning rather than having to go back and make something accessible later.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Social Security Administration (SSA); President of the U.S.; Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging; Vice President of the U.S.; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE

Unemployment UNM

NDRN's work here is focused on helping individuals with disabilities achieve employment in competitive, integrated environments. Working to ensure that the employment needs of individuals with disabilities are considered in federal employment. Finally, working the re-authorizations of the PABSS and WIPA programs.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Vice President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); White House Office; President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; Office of the Vice President of the United States

Veterans VET

NDRN's work here focused on ensuring that veterans with disabilities have legislation passed to help them make the transition to civil life. Also, exploring funding for the work the P&As and CAPs have been doing with veterans. Finally we have been working to get legislation reintroduced to create a demonstration project and funding for P&As to monitor veteran facilities, specifically focused on veterans with mental health or substance use issues. 17.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
STEPHANIE FLYNT MCEBEN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Vice President of the U.S.; Office of the Vice President of the United States; President of the U.S.; Administration on Aging; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI

Working to make sure that the Air Carrier Access Act would allow private lawsuits and that air travel is accessible to people with a disability. Also working on allowing emotional support animals on airlines and to make the planes more accessible for people with disabilities. Looking to implement the disability provisions added to the FAA reauthorization.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Vice President of the U.S.; Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Administration on Aging; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Social Security Administration (SSA); President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; SENATE; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office

Roads/Highway ROD

NDRN is working on making sure buses, trains, airlines, and cruise ships are accessible for people with a disabilities This involves following andworking on the re-authorization of the national transportation act to make sure it helps people with disabilities get effective transportation to be fully included in the community. Finally, NDRN is seeking demonstration project funding for the P&As to support the transportation work they do.

Lobbyist	Covered position, as disclosed
ERIC DAVID BUEHLMANN	—
MARLENE SALLO	—

Contacted: President of the U.S.; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Vice President of the U.S.; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Administration on Aging; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES