Federal Grant Changes Could Put Independent Living Services at Risk

DCM and Independence adds value to the community

 

By Christina Clift

At Disability Connection Midsouth, federal funding helps us provide services that allow people with disabilities to live independently, advocate for themselves, and participate fully in their communities. A proposed change to federal grant rules could make that work much harder.

The Office of Management and Budget has proposed major changes to the rules governing federal grants. If finalized, the new rules could make it easier for federal agencies to end grants during a funding period, even when an organization is meeting its requirements. They could also allow funding decisions to be influenced more heavily by changing federal priorities. The National Council on Independent Living has warned that the proposal could create instability for Centers for Independent Living, increase administrative burdens, and create uncertainty around advocacy, accessibility, and outreach activities. (National Council on Independent Living)

For Disability Connection Midsouth, this is more than a funding issue. It could affect our ability to plan programs, maintain staff, conduct community outreach, and provide consistent services. It could also make organizations more cautious about speaking up when policies or systems create barriers for people with disabilities. Very simply, the insecurity with the IL grant makes DCM less of a community resource for other programs that develop independence, produce greater self-reliance and save state and local taxpayers money. 

One of the guiding principles of the disability rights movement is:

“Nothing about us without us.”

Centers for Independent Living were created so that people with disabilities could have a strong voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Advocacy is not an extra service—it is a central part of independent living.

Uncertainty in federal funding ultimately affects the people we serve. When community organizations cannot depend on funding that has already been awarded, they may have to delay programs, reduce services, postpone hiring, or make other difficult decisions.

The proposed rule has not yet taken effect, and discussions about its implementation are continuing. Disability Connection Midsouth will continue following this issue and working with our state and national partners to protect the Independent Living Program.

Stable federal funding allows Centers for Independent Living to focus on what matters most: removing barriers and helping people with disabilities have greater choice, independence, and control over their lives.