4th Quarter - Report — NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK for NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK (2024)

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.

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

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

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 2024 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 ADA notification 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 undercut 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: Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; President of the U.S.; Education, Dept of; SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Administration on Aging; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

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

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

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 restraint andseclusion. Working to get the Keeping All Students Safe Act from previous Congresses introduced in the 118th 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: Administration on Aging; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Education, Dept of; SENATE; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); President of the U.S.; 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: White House Office; Executive Office of the President (EOP); President of the U.S.; SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); Office of the Vice President of the United States

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

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 24 appropriations process.

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

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

Immigration IMM

Trying to get the Protection and Advocacy agencies access to the immigration system in order to help immigrants and detainees with disabilities havean 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: Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; Education, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Administration on Aging; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

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

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: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Vice President of the U.S.; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); President of the U.S.; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention; Education, Dept of; Office of Justice Program; SENATE; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Administration on Aging; White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); 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 Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Also looking at other ways to end sub-minimum wage and / or segregated employment of people with disabilities 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: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Administration on Aging; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); President of the U.S.; White House Office; Administration for Children & Families (ACF); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Vice President of the U.S.; Justice, Dept of (DOJ)

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; U.S. Coast Guard (USCG); SENATE

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

Retirement RET

NDRN in this area focuses on retirement and financial security issues for individuals with disabilities. This includes Social Security, tax law issues,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 new 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: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); President of the U.S.; SENATE; Vice President of the U.S.; White House Office; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Social Security Administration (SSA); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

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 for increased 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 a reality. Also looking at legislation to provide funding to cities and states to make legacy stations accessible.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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 get disability provisions added to the FAA reauthorization.

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

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