Letter to National Council on Independent Living

Page 1 of 2 A.B.I. Resources LLC 39 Kings Highway, Suite C Gales Ferry CT, 06335 Phone: (860) 942-0365 Fax: (860) 465-9591 https://www.CTbrainINJURY.com Date: 11/29/2023 Subject: Request for Advocacy Support from NCIL in Championing Disability Rights in Connecticut Dear National Council on Independent Living, I am reaching out to you as the founder of ABI Resources and as an individual personally living with a disability. Our organization, based in Connecticut, is committed to advancing the independence and rights of individuals with disabilities, a mission that deeply resonates with me both professionally and personally. Recognizing NCIL's pivotal role in this realm, I am writing to seek your support and collaboration in addressing pressing challenges within our state’s disability support system. We are currently grappling with systemic issues that severely hinder the rights and independence of individuals with disabilities in Connecticut. These challenges range from barriers in accessing essential services to a lack of effective legislative advocacy to protect and empower our community. NCIL's expertise in disability rights advocacy and policy reform is exactly what is needed to drive significant change in our state. The community we serve is in urgent need of a powerful voice to champion their concerns and facilitate meaningful legislative and policy transformations. Enclosed with this letter is a detailed report outlining the specific issues we

Page 2 of 2 face, including: • Restrictive policies that undermine independent living and access to services for individuals with disabilities. • Gaps in legislative frameworks that fail to adequately support the rights and needs of people with disabilities, especially in relation to the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program. • Systematic neglect of the rights of disabled individuals, impeding their empowerment and independence. As someone who experiences these challenges firsthand, I believe that collaboration with NCIL could significantly amplify our efforts to enact policy reforms at both the state and federal levels. We are eager to partner with NCIL, drawing on your advocacy expertise and resources to navigate the legislative landscape and advocate for policy changes that will benefit the disability community in Connecticut. We recognize the magnitude of this request but given the severity of the issues at hand, we are hopeful for your engagement and the opportunity to work together towards a more inclusive and empowering future for people with disabilities. Thank you for considering this request. We look forward to the potential of collaborating with NCIL to make a transformative impact in the lives of those we serve. Best regards, David Medeiros David Medeiros ABI Resources, CEO, Director, Team Member