On Tuesday, May 16, 2017 North Carolina MARC members and self-advocates and their families attended North Carolina Day on the Hill, where they were welcomed to Washington, D.C. to meet elected officials and discuss policy concerns within the industry. Program Director Carla Hill and retired CEO Nancy Stricker represented TVS.
While the Capitol was reeling from budget negotiations, pressures from the close of the Trump Administration’s first hundred days, and the House’s passing of healthcare amendments, Carla and Nancy were impressed that Congressional representatives made time to lend an ear.
Nancy and Carla spoke with Chiefs of Staff for Congressman Mark Meadows, Senator Richard Burr, and Senator Thom Tillis. In total, seven members of Congress or Congressional Staff made themselves available to hear the testimonies and requests of North Carolina MARC organizations, self-advocates, and family members.
Advocates and families focused on their rights to self-determination and on the need to legislate more choice when it comes to opportunity for adults with disabilities and employment barriers. The organizations asked for increased support for employment services resources and aired frustrations with laws and regulations limiting access employment options.
Carla recalls being pleased with the reception advocates appeared to get. From her vantage point, it looked as though the elected officials and staff were attentive, some even taking notes. “This was really about families and self-advocates. They’re constituents, too,” she said.