Notice from the Administration for Community Living

 

Notice of Court Order You are hereby advised that a temporary restraining order has been entered in the case of New York et al. v. Trump, No. 25-cv-39-JJM-PAS (D.R.I.), ECF No. 50 (Jan. 31, 2025). You are receiving this Notice pursuant to the Court’s directive that notice of the order be provided “to all Defendants and agencies and their employees, contractors, and grantees by Monday, February 3, 2025, at 9 a.m.”  This case challenges an alleged “pause” of certain Federal financial assistance, related to OMB Memorandum M-25-13, Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs (Jan. 27, 2025) (“OMB Memo”). Although that OMB Memo was rescinded on January 29, 2025, the plaintiffs in the above-referenced case allege that the funding pause directed by the OMB Memo is still in effect, including because of recently issued Executive Orders by the President.  In response, the Court has entered a temporary restraining order prohibiting certain actions by the Defendants in the case, which is effective immediately. All Defendants—including their employees, contractors, and grantees—must immediately comply with the Court’s Order. For complete details and terms of the Court’s Order, please refer to pages 11 and 12 of the Order.  To assist in your compliance, here is a summary of the key terms:       1. Federal agencies cannot pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate any awards or obligations on the basis of the OMB Memo, or on the basis of the President’s recently issued Executive Orders.       2. This prohibition applies to all awards or obligations—not just those involving the Plaintiff States in the above-referenced case—and also applies to future assistance (not just current or existing awards or obligations).       3. Agencies may exercise their own authority to pause awards or obligations, provided agencies do so purely based on their own discretion—not as a result of the OMB Memo or the President’s Executive Orders—and provided the pause complies with all notice and procedural requirements in the award, agreement, or other instrument relating to such a pause.            a. On pages 11 and 12 of the Order, the Court prohibits agencies from pausing funding “except on the basis of the applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms.” Thus, agencies remain free to exercise their own discretion under their “authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms,” including any exercise of discretion to pause certain funding. Additionally, agencies remain free to take action pursuant to the terms of the relevant award or obligation, such as in cases of grantee noncompliance.            b. Any exercise of agency discretion, however, cannot be based on the OMB Memo or the President’s Executive Orders, given that the Court has prohibited agencies from “implementing or giving effect to the OMB [Memo] under any other name or title[.]” (Order, pg.12). Additionally, any decision to pause, stop, delay, or otherwise withhold federal financial assistance programs must comply with all notice and procedural requirements in the award, agreement, or other instrument setting forth the terms of the award or obligation.       4. Out of an abundance of caution, all federal agencies (even those not named as defendants in the case) should comply with the above-referenced terms.  As the Court’s Order reflects, the above terms are temporary as litigation in the case is ongoing. At present, however, the Court’s Order is in effect and must be complied with.  If you have any questions about the scope or effect of the Court’s Order, please contact your agency’s Office of General Counsel or your grant officer, as appropriate. Thank you for your attention to this matter.  ACL.gov Advancing independence and inclusion of older adults and people with disabilities This email comes from an unmonitored account. Please do not reply to this email.

MATA Stakeholders Advisory Council

Why Memphis Needs the MATA Stakeholders Advisory Council

Public transit is the lifeblood of a thriving city, connecting people to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services. For Memphis, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is more than just buses and trolleys—it’s a critical component of daily life for thousands of residents. Yet, like many transit systems across the country, MATA faces challenges in meeting the diverse needs of its riders, operators, and the broader community. That’s why the proposed creation of the MATA Stakeholders Advisory Council (MATA SAC) is such an exciting and necessary step forward.

A Voice for the Community
The MATA SAC is designed to bring together a diverse group of voices: bus operators, mechanics, daily riders, and community advocates. By doing so, it ensures that decisions about public transit are informed by those who rely on and operate it daily. This inclusive approach fosters collaboration and provides a platform for meaningful dialogue between MATA management, the Board of Commissioners, and the community.

Too often, public transit decisions are made without fully understanding the on-the-ground realities faced by riders and operators. The MATA SAC aims to change that by prioritizing transparency and creating a direct line of communication for addressing immediate service issues and planning for long-term improvements. This is more critical for the current MATA Board of Commissioners because the one thing the public knows about the Commissioners is that most of them do not ride the bus. 

Building Trust and Accountability
For years, trust between MATA and its stakeholders has been strained by service delays, accessibility challenges, and other systemic issues. The formation of the MATA SAC represents a proactive effort to rebuild that trust. By allowing SAC representatives to present recommendations and ask questions at MATA Board meetings, the council empowers community members to hold decision-makers accountable and to contribute to shaping the future of public transit in Memphis. This is an important value that the recent TransPro report has implied and the new Board has seemed to embrace. 

Immediate and Long-Term Impact
One of the council’s primary goals is to address immediate service issues that affect riders daily. From scheduling and route planning to maintenance and accessibility, the MATA SAC will provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve the rider experience. Over time, the council will also focus on long-term strategic planning, ensuring that MATA evolves to meet the growing needs of Memphis’ diverse population.

Support for the MATA SAC is about equity, accessibility, and opportunity. Reliable public transit is essential for reducing economic disparities, empowering individuals with disabilities, and fostering a more connected community. Advocacy groups like Disability Connection Midsouth and Better Transit for a Better Memphis (BTBM) recognize that the MATA SAC has the potential to drive transformative change by amplifying the voices of those most impacted by transit decisions.

Join the Movement
The MATA SAC is a movement toward a more inclusive and responsive transit system. By involving operators, riders, and advocates, the council will help MATA deliver on its promise of providing equitable, accessible, and reliable transportation for all Memphians.

We urge residents, businesses, and community organizations to support the creation and growth of the MATA Stakeholders Advisory Council. Together, we can build a public transit system that works for everyone and ensures that Memphis remains a city on the move.

Leo Manriquez

My name is Leo Manriquez.
I am the Access Assistant at Disability Connection Midsouth. My first introduction to the center was through volunteering and attending their community events. At the time, I knew there was something wonderful about the center, but I wouldn’t have expected to now be working here since April 2024! 

I am a recent graduate from the University of Memphis,
class of 2024. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with two majors. One is in Communication with a concentration in Film and Video Production. The other is in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. It was through the latter department that I learned about the internship opportunity at Disability Connection Midsouth. 

During my Summer 2023 internship, I was able to grow my soft skills and meet my amazing (and future) coworkers. I am so proud of my time as an intern and I will always cherish the memories we created (e.g., my first Access Awards)!

As the Access Assistant,
I am usually the first point of contact for people that call or visit our office. Then I connect them to our resources and independent living specialists. Additionally, I help with everyday office tasks whether that be through assisting our team, the upkeep of our website, and completing outreach and event goals. Lastly, I help coordinate the Grey Panthers, the center’s peer support group for Seniors, with their monthly meetings and communications. 

I am not only excited about my future post-graduation, but I am also elated to be a part of the Disability Connection Midsouth team and our future.

The ADA and Sign Language Interpreting

Understanding the MultiCare Health System Agreement: What It Means for Individuals with Disabilities and Providers

At Disability Connection Midsouth, our mission is to bridge the gap between individuals with disabilities and the resources they need to be independent. A recent agreement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and MultiCare Health System highlights critical issues in healthcare accessibility, offering valuable lessons for individuals and providers alike. This agreement underscores the importance of upholding civil rights and ensuring that no one is left without medical care.

What Happened?

MultiCare Health System, a large healthcare provider in Washington State, entered into a resolution agreement with HHS following allegations that it failed to provide effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The complaints arose from instances where patients were not offered appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, which are essential for equal access to healthcare.

The investigation revealed a gap in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both of which require healthcare providers to make reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Key Terms of the Agreement

The agreement is a roadmap for how healthcare providers can better serve individuals with disabilities. It includes several commitments by MultiCare, such as:

1. Policy Updates: MultiCare must revise its policies to ensure compliance with disability rights laws. This includes specifying procedures for assessing and providing auxiliary aids and services.

2. Staff Training: All relevant staff, including front-line workers and medical professionals, will receive training on effective communication with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.

3. Patient Rights Notification: Patients must be informed of their rights to auxiliary aids and services and how to request them.

4. Monitoring and Reporting: MultiCare agreed to submit regular reports to HHS to demonstrate its compliance with the agreement.

What This Means for Individuals with Disabilities

If you or someone you care for has a disability, this agreement serves as a reminder of your rights under federal law:

• Access to Effective Communication: Whether it’s a sign language interpreter, captioning services, or other aids, healthcare providers are obligated to ensure you can communicate effectively during your visit.

• Advocacy Tools: If you feel your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with HHS or your state’s human rights commission. The MultiCare agreement demonstrates that action can lead to meaningful change.

• Empowered Decision-Making: Know that you have the right to fully understand your healthcare options. Providers are required to make reasonable accommodations to support your decision-making.

To make a complaint: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

What This Means for Providers

For healthcare providers, this agreement is a clear reminder to prioritize accessibility. Key takeaways include:

• Proactive Policies: Review and update policies to align with the ADA and Section 504. Ensure that procedures for requesting accommodations are clearly defined and accessible to all.

• Invest in Training: Educate your staff about disability rights and effective communication practices. Real-world scenarios, like those highlighted in the MultiCare case, can serve as powerful teaching tools.

• Foster Inclusive Environments: Create a culture where patients feel comfortable requesting accommodations. Include information about disability rights prominently in patient materials.

Moving Forward: Building a More Inclusive Healthcare System

The MultiCare Health System agreement is a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done. At Disability Connection Midsouth, we encourage individuals with disabilities to advocate for their rights and for providers to embrace practices that promote inclusion.

By working together, we can ensure that everyone receives the quality care they deserve. Let’s use this agreement as a catalyst for meaningful change, ensuring that healthcare systems across the country reflect the principles of equity and accessibility.

For more resources, guidance, or support, connect with us at Disability Connection. Together, we can create a community that values and respects the rights of all.