United Spinal Association and more than 100 wheelchair users and advocates from its national chapter networks will gather in Washington, DC, on Sunday, June 24, for the 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill.

During the event, advocates visit with and educate Congressional leaders about the policy issues affecting the SCI/D community by sharing personal stories and some of the hurdles they face living with disabilities.

This year’s event goals are to highlight greater access to quality affordable healthcare, community integration and disability rights and assistive and rehab technology, and air travel protections vital to people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D), according to the United Spinal Association, in a media release.

Specifically, advocates will talk to members of Congress about the following:

  • Protecting the rights of air travelers with disabilities by advocating for the passage of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act, (S 1318 and HR 5004).
  • Maximizing access to quality affordable healthcare for people with disabilities, including fighting against ACA repeal-and-replace efforts; promoting correct rehabilitative therapy; opposing cuts to Medicaid; and ensuring wheelchair users have access to complex rehab technology.
  • Opposing the ADA Education and Reform Act (HR 620), which would require a person with a disability to give a business a notification letter and wait no less than 120 days before filing a lawsuit when encountering a physical barrier.
  • Supporting the rights of our disabled veterans by advocating for VA Choice Program, which permits veterans with physical disabilities to continue to have the opportunity to secure care close to home; and the Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Act of 2017 (HR 4146), which increases insurance amounts for service-disabled veterans.

Additional activities during the event are a welcome reception, a Congressional awards reception, an award ceremony, the release continues.

“The growth and impact of Roll on Capitol Hill over the years is a true testament to all the advocates that are determined to improve disability rights, not only in their communities, but on a national scale. This year will be our largest event yet,” says James Weisman, United Spinal’s president and CEO, in the release.

[Source(s): United Spinal Association, PR Newswire]