TheUnderRepresented

Action Alert - Help build support in Congress for the CRPD

2007-12-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

Take Action!

Lets Build Support in Congress Now

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

Dear Fellow Advocates/Activists,

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has acheived groundbreaking international support since it opened for signatures on March 30, 2007. As of today, 118 nations have taken the first step and become signatories to the Convention & 7 have gone further and ratified it. The Optional Protocol, which will serve as the treaty's enforcement mechanism, has enjoyed 67 signatures and 3 ratifications. The Convention requires 20 ratifying member nations before it can enter into force and become international law.

Despite this monumental accomplishment of 21st century civilization, which largely included people with disabilities from all over the world, the Bush Administration has failed to sign the Convention on behalf of the US. At this point, the disability community is looking to build support in both the House and Senate in preparation for what we hope to be a speedy signing and ratification of this historic Convention with the new administration in early 2009.

Click Take Action to tell your congressional delegation that you want them to actively support this progressive piece of human rights legislation, and move it through the ratification process quickly.

Also, disability community leaders, organizations, activists, and advocates from across our country have joined together to create the RatifyNow.org website, to educate and encourage grassroots ratification efforts. Check it out!

In Solidarity,

Joe and Pam VanderVeer

Urge your Senators to sign on to the ADA Restoration Act Now.

2007-11-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Urge your Senators to support S. 1881 – the ADA Restoration Act

Take Action!
ADA Restoration now!

Fellow Advocates,

These are exciting times! The ADA Restoration Act has more than enough co-sponsors in the House of Representatives to pass (235 co-sponsors as of Nov. 16th), and hearings have already begun for the ADA Restoration Act in the Senate (S 1881).

So now our focus needs to be on the Senate, and we need to encourage each of our delegations to sign onto S 1881 ASAP! Congress is beginning to realize that the disability community is a strong political demographic that supports this historic civil rights legislation. Take a minute now and make your voice heard.

Click "Take Action" to urge your Senator to become a co-sponsor.

For more info on why an ADA Restoration Act is needed, visit:
AAPD ADA Restoration Act Blog
Road to Freedom
ADA Watch
Failing to Fulfill the ADA's Promise and Intent: The Work of the Courts in Narrowing Protection Against Discrimination on the Basis of Disability

In Solidarity,
Joe and Pam VanderVeer
TheUnderRepresented.com

House to Vote on National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Bill on Wednesday, October 10

2007-10-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have been on our list for awhile may recognize this bill from past alerts…there has been progress!

On Wednesday, October 10, the full House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 2895, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. Goto: http://hr2895.theunderrepresented.com/ to send your Rep a message now.

The bill would establish a national affordable housing trust fund. At least 75% of the new resources must produce or preserve housing affordable to extremely low income people. This would be the first new housing production program since 1990 and the only one focused on housing for households with the lowest incomes. A significant percentage of people with disabilities are low income households.

This is also the first time a bill establishing a National Housing Trust Fund will be considered on the floor of Congress!

Alternatively, you can call your Rep’s office…

Call 877-210-5351 and ask to speak with your Representative's office. Then, ask to speak to the person who handles housing issues for your Congressperson.

Message: I urge Representative ___ to support passage of H.R. 2895, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007.

Please share this alert with your networks!

In solidarity,
Joe VanderVeer
theunderrepresented.com

Senate Finance committee hearing alert

2007-09-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

If your Senator is listed below, click here to send a message and urge them to attend the finance committee hearing for the” community choice act” next Tuesday. It is critical that as many committee members attend as possible.

This legislation is truly vital to the continued progress toward equality and inclusion for a great many Americans with disabilities.

In solidarity,

Joe VanderVeer
theunderrepresented.com

Finance Committee members include:

Democrats: Max Baucus (MT), John D. Rockefeller (WV), Kent Conrad (ND), Jeff Bingaman (NM), John F. Kerry (MA), Blanche L. Lincoln (AR), Ron Wyden (OR), Charles Schumer (NY), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Maria Cantwell (WA), Ken Salazar (CO)

Republicans: Charles Grassley (IA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Trent Lott (MS), Olympia Snowe (ME), John Kyl (AZ), Craig Thomas (WY), Gordon Smith (OR), Jim Bunning (KY), Mike Crapo (ID), Pat Roberts (KS)

US Chamber of Commerce supports discrimination!

2007-08-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

US Chamber of Commerce supports discrimination!

Hello everyone...

By now, I'm sure many of you are already aware of this but I doubt that many of you have taken meaningful action in response to it yet...

About a week ago, the United States Chamber of Commerce went on record, via a letter to the House of Representatives, against the ADA Restoration Act. Plain and simple they are against the restoration of the ADA because they prefer the current judicial trend toward finding in the corporation's interest and against the disabled individual!

You can help counter the effect of this damaging letter by contacting your Senators and Representative today and urge them to support the ADA restoration act:

To contact your Senators: http://s1881.theunderrepresented.com/

To contact your Representative: http://hr3195.theunderrepresented.com/

Although we've prewritten a short letter for you to send, we encourage you to add a personal message/statement to it or in place of it. However, because its crucial that you simply contact your delegation on this issue, feel free to just send the default text...

We also invite you to comment on this issue in our forum on our website:

In solidarity,
Joe VanderVeer

Please take 30secs and support this...

2007-07-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!
For hundreds of thousands of Americans with disabilities, freedom and independence are merely ellusive dreams…
Why?
Because they're trapped in nursing homes and other such facilities, against their will, simply because our society lacks the community supports to allow them to live normal lives! But there is an answer...
The Community Choice Act – S.799 and HR1621(links to info can be found in the action alerts below)
Back in May of 2007, the Senate Finance Committee promised disability community advocates that they would schedule a hearing to move this landmark legislation forward... they promised that this hearing will take place by the end of July... but nothing has been scheduled yet!
Please take a moment to encourage your delegation in both chambers to promote this legislation moving forward:
To contact your Representative: http://cca.theunderrepresented.com/
To contact your Senators: http://ccahearing.theunderrepresented.com/
Thank you,
Joe & Pam VanderVeer
theunderrepresented.com

Shame on Bush

2007-07-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an easy way for Americans to sound off to the administration about the Libby issue

Please support and promote HR676

2007-06-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

Please share this with others:

National Health Insurance Act

Now

Let's get Congress to override the President's veto!

2007-06-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Please help us convince Congress to override Bush's veto of S.5 - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007
Tell your Senator to support it!

Also:

If you would like to see Michael Moore's new documentary film, "SiCKO", we have it for you...
I recommend everyone watch this film and then track this issue in the upcoming 2008 campaign season.

In solidarity,
TheUnderRepresented.com

The United States should sign the United Nations convention

2007-06-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Tell Bush you support the UN Convention on the Rights of People w/ Disabilities