“This bill does not risk segregation. On the contrary, these types of programs increase access to community, quality of life, and satisfaction for the residents they serve.”
The Honorable Bryan Terry
Chairman, Committee on Health
Tennessee State House of Representatives
646 Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
March 26, 2024
SUPPORT: HB2497
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) represents the interests of families affected by severe forms of autism and related disorders. This special population is subjected to extreme healthcare and housing disparities nationwide. Our National Grassroots Network has a Tennessee Chapter, and we support the important work of that chapter led by TN State Chair, Racheal Smith.
The types of residential options that HB2497 aims to support is a topic that NCSA has extensive experience and resources to provide such as Discrimination by Design: How Policies Threaten the Most Severely Disabled, Open the Floodgates to More Autism Services! Mary Ogle of A New Leaf in Oklahoma, Autism and I/DD: The Benefits of Residential Communities and the Need for Choice with Molly Nocon of Noah Homes, Inside Medicaid HCBS for Autism, Part 2: The Settings Rule with Melissa Harris of CMS, The Autism and I/DD Housing Crisis with Scott Mendel and Ashley Kim Weiss of Together for Choice, and many more.
Unlike those who may have submitted opposition statements to this bill, NCSA does not present our position based on loose assumptions or idealistic notions that defy reality. For many years, we have remained staunchly committed to thought leadership in regard to increasing housing options for people with disabilities.
We can state from our dogged analysis of similar programs across the nation that this bill does not risk segregation. On the contrary, these types of programs increase access to community, quality of life, and satisfaction for the residents they serve. We would be happy to put you in contact with people with true lived experience all across the country upon request.
Olmstead never intended to confine individuals to narrowly-limited options provided strictly by the government. The very spirit of Olmstead was choice. This bill does not aim to force any individual to live in any setting. It simply adds an additional option for some individuals who may choose it. That is the antithesis of discrimination. To restrict people with disabilities from accessing an option that people without disabilities have is true discrimination, and that is what opposition statements to this bill have asked this committee to consider.
NCSA respectfully requests this committee SUPPORT HB2497 and vote yes to people with disabilities having more choice of where they live.
Please contact me at info@ncsautism.org if I can answer any further questions or if you would like to be placed in contact with people who have lived experience on this topic.
Sincerely,
Jill Escher
President