FLORIDA INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL, INC.
LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR 2004:
(Not listed in order of importance) Medicaid Buy-In: Ensures that the State of Florida fully funds the Medicaid-Buy-In program. This legislation provided states with new options and flexibility regarding the ability of people with disabilities to join the workforce without fear of losing their Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage. Florida has adopted the concept but the state legislature has not funded this option. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living and the Advocacy Center support the implementation and funding of the Medicaid Buy-In program. Long Term Care Services: Increase funding resources dedicated to home and community based care through the Medicaid Program and the Medicaid Waiver Programs. Florida spends nearly 70% of its Medicaid dollars in nursing homes, and 30% in community-based services. This policy forces individuals with disabilities to seek care in nursing homes, (thus increasing per person total spending) instead of the most integrated setting. While many more individuals have been served in Medicaid Waiver programs, these services are limited by disability and age. Several thousand adults with disabilities are on waiting lists, receiving very limited services, or are residing in nursing homes. Transportation Disadvantaged Methodology for Payment: The Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged has never established a single methodology for setting rates or payment methods which has resulted in a different method for nearly every operational area in the state. Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT): Pursues full implementation of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force as they relate to the FCAT’s administration, alternate formats, and reporting by the Department of Education. Provides an alternative assessment be developed for persons with disabilities. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living and the Advocacy Center has also made this a legislative priority.
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Abuse in Schools Reporting: Allows incidents of abuse of students with disabilities to be reported to the statewide abuse hotline. Affordable, Accessible Housing: Expand programs that increase affordable housing for rent or purchase. Provide additional resources for rental assistance and down payments, and include disability related expenses in determining eligibility. Expand programs that provide architectural barrier removal for persons who own their homes. Direct that building codes require accessibility for all new housing construction and expand incentives to developers that provide accessible housing. Enforce Fair Housing standards. Transition: Expansion of appropriate transitioning of students with disabilities from the public school system to employment or into higher education. Supports the identification of students at an earlier age, starting at the age of diagnosis; and the incorporation of the use of assistive technology devices and services in school and the transfer of assistive technology at the time of transition. HAVA Help America Vote Act: Support the enforcement of HAVA requirements that Florida (and every state) are mandated to comply with by January 1, 2006. Those mandates are: • • Provide voters an opportunity to check for and correct errors on ballots. Provide at least one voting machine per precinct that is accessible for people with disabilities (accessible voting machines are voice activated, allow people with visual impairments a confidential vote, and adjust to a height convenient for wheelchairs). Provide ballots in alternative languages. Offer voting systems with low error rates. Provide provisional ballots to make certain that no one is turned away at the polls. Implement a centralized and computerized statewide database for voter registration lists.
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Involuntary Outpatient Commitment for Persons with Mental Illness: Establishes court ordered involuntary outpatient commitment under Baker Act for persons with a mental health history if they appear to be decompensating and have the “potential” to be a danger to themselves or others in the future. The major concern is that there are currently not enough available services for those who are voluntarily seeking services. The Advocacy Center does not support this legislation and FILC is in agreement regarding the dangers such legislation could cause. Sexual Misconduct Guidelines for Staff Within Facilities for Persons with both Psychiatric and Developmental Disabilities: Currently this law exists within jails, but not for persons in institutions or within long term residential facilities. Florida Council on Deafness: Creates the Council within the Department of Education; provides for membership & organization of the council; provides the role, purpose, powers, duties & responsibilities of the council. 2
State Procurement Laws: Currently excludes private for profit businesses that are needed for rehabilitation services in order for individuals with disabilities to gain employment. This flaw in F.S. 287.057 seeks to eliminate private businesses, but supporters want to include private businesses in this statute to offer more employment choices for individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation Act 508: The federal government has established requirements of for accessible technology and services under section 508 of the Rehab Act as amended. However, the state of Florida has not done so and is purchasing inaccessible technology and services. This is having a tremendous negative impact on the ability of persons with disabilities to access state government and the ability of state government to employ persons with disabilities. The Florida Independent Living Council in conjunction with the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation supports the Legislative Budget Request for the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living. The Florida Independent Living Council supports the legislative platform of the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living.
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