Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based providers of disability services faced a range of challenges and crises that for years have led to stagnation and even regression in the diverse range of outcomes tracked by the annual Case for Inclusion. Now, these challenges—and the underlying inadequacies in the structure of the disability support system in the US—are being amplified significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic. If there has been a silver lining, it is simply that national attention is finally being paid to these issues in unprecedented ways. But where do we go from here?
That question will anchor a discussion among experts and advocates on Monday, February 22 from 1-2:30 pm EST to mark the release of the Case for Inclusion 2021. During this virtual national launch event, United Cerebral Palsy, ANCOR and the ANCOR Foundation will present a Case for Inclusion Special Report, which highlights:
The impact of COVID-19 on community-based disability service providers.
Public policy measures that have enabled providers to weather the pandemic.
Recommendations for state and federal actions to ensure that our transition to a post-pandemic world doesn’t return us to the inadequacies of the pre-pandemic system.
Advanced registration is required, and all registrants will receive access to a recording of the event.
Speakers
Welcoming Remarks
Armando Contreras, President & CEO, United Cerebral Palsy
Presentation: Case for Inclusion Special Report
Donna Martin, Director, State Partnerships & Special Projects, ANCOR
Panel Discussion
Ronnie Polaneczky, Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer’s The UpSide
Bernard Baker, President, Board of Directors, Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE)
Ann Coffey, Executive Director, UCP Oregon
Charlie Luke, Executive Director, Utah Associaton of Community Services
Concluding Remarks
Barbara Merrill, CEO, ANCOR
Registration
This event is free and, although it has been specially designed for members of the ANCOR and UCP communities, members of the public are invited.
