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.

Memphis Disability Summit 2024

Reflections on the MACCD Disability Summit: Building a More Inclusive Memphis

I recently attended the Memphis Advisory Council for Citizens with Disabilities (MACCD) Disability Summit at Orange Mound, and the energy in the room was palpable. Although 50 people were signed up, I’d estimate about 75 attendees came together for this important event.

The summit opened with remarks from Mayor Paul Young, who spoke candidly and passionately about the theme of inclusion. He pledged to lead the most inclusive administration in Memphis history—a bold and encouraging commitment to a city striving for equity.

Voices of Advocacy and Expertise

The summit showcased diverse voices from the MACCD, each focusing on critical areas of concern:

• Kim Dourghty, chair of the Disability Awareness Committee, emphasized the importance of raising awareness.
• Carlene Leaper, from the Arc and Christina Clift, of Disability Connection Midsouth, addressed the persistent challenges in transportation.
• Mr. Calvin Poole spoke about the pressing need for accessible and affordable housing.
• Jolanna Chapman highlighted barriers and opportunities in education and employment.

Their insights painted a comprehensive picture of the systemic changes needed to make Memphis more inclusive for its disability community.

Rethinking Safety and Inclusion

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on the intersection of safety, poverty, and implicit bias. Often, we frame safety as a standalone issue, imagining it as something solvable through police or government intervention. Yet, “safety” is deeply intertwined with economic disparities and societal biases. True safety requires addressing these root causes, not just their symptoms.

Personal Stories and Calls to Action

Councilwoman Jerri Green, a parent of three children on the autism spectrum, shared her personal and professional perspective. Transportation, she noted, is the number one complaint she hears from the disability community. She briefly mentioned accessible rideshare options but stressed that listening to people with disabilities must be central to shaping solutions.

One of the most moving moments came from Kia Shine, a father of a child with autism, rapper and actor in the movie Red One. Speaking from the heart, he challenged everyone to embrace inclusion:

“We have to work together to create a better scenario of inclusion. We are the inclusion. I stand here not as a rapper, actor, but as a father of a child with autism, a caregiver. I live it every day. Your life is a testimonial. Awareness, inclusion, acceptance!”

Moving Forward

The summit was a reminder of the power of collective action and lived experience in driving change. It underscored the importance of listening to those directly impacted and working collaboratively toward solutions. As Mayor Young emphasized, inclusion isn’t just an idea; it’s a commitment.

If Memphis is to become a truly inclusive city, we must all play a role in turning these conversations into action. It’s not just about disability awareness—it’s about ensuring equity and opportunity for everyone.

What steps can we each take to build a more inclusive Memphis? How can we elevate the voices of those who have too often been unheard? Let’s continue these conversations and turn them into meaningful change.

Rep. Cohen Asks for a Vote on Disability Freedom

 

LRFA Discharge Petition is being filed! A Discharge Petition signed by 218 members of the House moves a bill directly to the House floor for a vote!  Tomorrow morning (11/13), Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) plans to file a Discharge Petition for the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act (HR2708) to send the bill directly to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. Even though a majority of the House signed on as cosponsors of the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act and the Chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee was open to holding a hearing, Republican Leadership in the House did not allow the bill to move forward.  That means, even with broad-based bipartisan support, the bill has been “stuck” in Committee. A Discharge Petition is a mechanism the House of Representatives uses when a bill is not able to move through the committee process even though a majority of the members of the House support it.  When 218 members of the House sign the Discharge Petition, the bill bypasses the committees and goes directly to the floor of the House for a vote.Congressman Cohen began the process to initiate the Discharge Petition in October. He intended to file the petition before Congress left for its break, but the House went out of session two days early.  Now that Congress is back in session, Congressman Cohen plans to file the Discharge Petition tomorrow morning. When we get 218 members of the House on the Discharge Petition, the legislation will bypass the committee and markup, going to the House floor for an up-down vote.   If every House Democrat supports the Discharge Petition, we only need to secure the support of a handful of the 15 Republican cosponsors who are still in Congress to move the bill to the floor for a vote. It is almost certain that the legislation would pass the House if we secure enough signatures to move the bill to the floor.  This demonstrates that even when a party doesn’t control the House, it can still advance bipartisan legislation! Although the bill will not pass the Senate during this Congress, moving the Freedom Act to the House floor and getting passed by the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote would be a major milestone for the bill, our decades-long fight to FREE OUR PEOPLE, and our movement.  It would also demonstrate to Republican Leadership that we are ready to fight for Disability Freedom. How to get involved and help! Ask your Representative in the House to sign the Discharge Petition and vote for the bill when it gets to the floor. Publicly urge Members of Congress to sign the Discharge Petition and publicly express appreciation for the Members who do.  Consider publishing a letter to the editor or a blog post supporting the legislation and Disability Freedom, urging its swift passage in the House.  Explain the importance of this legislation.  We all know people whose lives would be impacted by this legislation.  Eliminating the fundamental alteration defense is a huge step forward for those who cannot currently access services to remain in the community. Pushing back against the ableist idea that some of us are “too Disabled” for freedom promotes the framework that all Disabled people have value and deserve freedom.  Disability Freedom can propel us and our entire movement forward.  We need to communicate that and mobilize our community. Join us in DC to advance the Discharge Petition and support Disability Freedom. ADAPTers are hosting a Legislative Reception with the House sponsor and have begun planning for people to be in DC when the bill would move to the House floor. The legislative reception will be in the Transportation Committee Room, 2167 Rayburn, on November 19th and begin at 5:00 PM. If you want more information email us at: LRFA@adapt.org