Maybe the thought of driving downtown and visiting some of the major government buildings seems more of a punishment (jury duty anyone?)… but understanding how you can get involved in local government hold some serious power.

Last week was our local MS Society’s Legistlative Conference in central Phoenix, convening in the capitol building. With a little training and preparation a group of over thirty met with state sentators and representatives to discuss important issues at hand.

Wondering what exactly is going on down there that affects the MS community?

• Getting a meeting with your legislators (senators and reps) can be as easy as sending an email / making a call to their offices. It’s a great first step to getting to know who is calling the shots and making decisions based on testimonies like yours.
• Like doing things from home? Sign up with ALIS (Arizona Legislative Information System) and submit your comments online about legislative committee hearings. Currently you must register with this system in person at the capitol, but send an email to Siobhan McCurdy of the MS Society (Advocacy Coordinator) and she’ll send your details to be registered remotely. Once you register, you can log in and see all the issues at hand and drop your valuable two cents
• At this time of year, the big thing is the state budget. And with money tighter than its been in a long while, some are looking to cut some pretty vital programs that affect the MS community. Send a note to your legislator about keeping these items intact:

1. Lifespan Respite Care (DES): this money provides help to those who might have a caregiver but need some additional assistance. Even on their own, some need just a little help here and there to get everything done. This respite care means the disabled get the extra care they need to be as self-sufficient as possible– without needing to be moved to an institution (which costs a good deal more). Best part: the federal government not only matches the approved budget but funds 3 to 1.
2. Ticket to Work: Right now AHCCCS state health care insures the lower-income families. Great, but bad news to those who are disabled and want to get back out and work. As it stands, you start making an income and you’ll lose the AHCCCS coverage, leaving many to just remain unemployed in fear of losing health insurance. This program pushes to keep people on AHCCCS even if they are making 250% above the poverty level in Arizona.

• Looking to see Arizona meet national standards? House Bill 2606 pushes to bring AZ into alignment with the recently passed American with Disabilities Amendment Act. See the same protection for people with disabilities on the local level as we find on the federal stage.

Okay, whew. That may be a lot to take on all at once, but one voice can really get out there and help push our legislators to provide better assistance to those with disabilities. And as someone who may be perfectly healthy now, I am looking ahead.

Here’s to a little change.