United Spinal Updates

Roll on Capitol Hill 2022

Roll on Capitol HillAfter the great success of the 2021 Roll on Capitol Hill, which was conducted entirely virtually, United Spinal wants to ensure that we continue to include the ability for advocates from every state to participate in the Roll on Capitol Hill virtually, including virtual visits with Congressional offices. That is why we are excited to announce that for the 2022 Roll on Capitol Hill, we will have both in-person and virtual participation which will continue to be the case going forward. Thankfully, this is due to the rapid acceptance of accommodations that our community has long asked for, such as telework, telehealth, and the use of virtual platforms for meetings.

As United Spinal Association plans its 2022 Roll on Capitol Hill, we welcome the return of our in-person component for the first time since 2019. Having dozens of wheelchair users rolling around the Capitol complex has always been at the core of our message – that the federal government and policymakers need to hear from individuals in the SCI/D community as it makes policies impacting not just our community, but all Americans. It is certainly exciting for us to bring that back, recognizing that COVID-19 has caused many changes in our society.

man sitting in powerchair next to woman sitting at conference table As United Spinal continues to grow our network of registered advocates, which already includes nearly 1,300 people representing more than 92% of Congressional districts in all 50 states, we want to make sure that all of our elected officials, no matter where they’re from, hear directly from their constituents affected by SCI/D. Disability is a part of every community, and all elected officials must hear from their constituents with disabilities in order to understand the problems that we face and find solutions. We believe that by broadening participation in Roll on Capitol Hill in this way, we will reach as many policymakers as we can and build deeper understanding with a larger coalition of potential allies.

Almost 100 advocates will be attending in-person as well as multiple advocates attending virtually from across the country.

Roll on Capitol Hill 2022 Advocate of the Year Award: Richard Bagby, Director, United Spinal Association of Virginia

Richard Bagby
Richard Bagby

Richard is being recognized for his leadership in helping to establish the Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI) in Richmond, Virginia. Sheltering Arms Institute is a state-of-the-science, 114-bed, translational inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital and research center where advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical care create superior outcomes for patients.

SAI opened in June 2020 and for Fiscal Year 2022, was already a certified Spinal Cord Injury Model System in collaboration with the Virginia Commonwealth University. As one of only 14 federally recognized Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Hospitals in the United States, Sheltering Arms Institute’s spinal cord injury rehab program has been nationally recognized for its quality of care.

Richard has also been a leader at the state level in advocating for legislation which allows for the provision of manual and power wheelchair bases and accessories for Virginia nursing facility residents. Richard organized a large coalition of support in Virginia for House Bill 241, legislation to allow for the provision of complex rehab technology (CRT) manual and power wheelchair bases and accessories for Virginians residing in nursing facilities. Despite many obstacles, the coalition that Richard assembled was able to get legislation passed, and signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, to convene a working group within Virginia’s state government to study the issue and determine related costs for coverage and reimbursement. Richard also played a key role in protecting the rights of people with disabilities by opposing physician-assisted suicide legislation in the state helping to make sure that such a bill did not pass in Virginia’s legislature during this session.

Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award: Congressman Robert C. Bobby Scott

Congressman Bobby Scott
Congressman Bobby Scott

Congressman Scott currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

United Spinal is honoring the Congressman specifically for his leadership in introducing the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA)/H.R. 2373 which eliminates providing subminimum wages to people with disabilities; provides grants to states or employers to pay at least minimum wage to workers with disabilities and provides services and supports including Medicaid home and community-based services to support people with complex disabilities in competitive integrated work environments.

Congressional Lifetime Achievement Award – Congressman James Langevin

Congressman Jim Langevin
Congressman Jim Langevin

Congressman Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

A voice for the disability community, Langevin has championed expanding services for families caring for their aging loved ones and loved ones with disabilities. As an advocate of inclusion for people with disabilities, Congressman Langevin was instrumental in the passage of the ADA Amendments Act, a bill that fortified the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a fierce supporter of accessible, affordable health care coverage, Langevin was also a champion for the Affordable Care Act.

Due to his more than two decades of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, his co-chairing of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and his leadership representing the concerns of people with disabilities, United Spinal is honored to present the Congressman with the United Spinal Congressional Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Roll on Capitol Hill. Congressman Langevin was also our first U.S. House of Representatives Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award recipient at our inaugural Roll on Capitol Hill in 2012.

Roll on Capitol Hill priorities are the following:

  • Access to quality SCI rehab has been slipping over time and greater funding for SCI Model Systems is needed as well as federal regulations to ensure that newly-injured individuals with SCI receive the healthcare and services they need.
  • Air travel continues to be a serious risk for wheelchair users and action must be taken to improve safety for travelers with disabilities and ensure that wheelchairs are not damaged by airlines.
  • Finding and maintaining employment has been hard for many of us over the last couple of years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, we all saw how critical the need for home and community supports and personal care attendants are to us and how losing a job or having a loved one lose a job can easily lead to situations that are catastrophic and dangerous to the health of individuals in our community. United Spinal will be discussing the importance of maintaining necessary PCA support  while pursuing economic independence and mobility.
  • In addition, we are asking the Department of Veterans Affairs increase funding for needed automobile grants for disabled veterans to enable them to truly participate in their communities.
  • We also seek action on outdated and restrictive federal regulations that prevent all wheelchair users from having access to the wheelchair that’s right for them.

 

Visit the Roll on Capitol Hill page for more information.