Congresswoman Stansbury Hosts Virtual Youth Disability Roundtable
Rep. Stansbury hosts roundtable with youth advocates in the New Mexico Disabilities community to listen and discuss the transformative investments in the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Build Back Better Act.
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) held a virtual roundtable with representatives from organizations serving New Mexico youth with disabilities. During the community discussion, Rep. Stansbury highlighted investments in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act and Build Back Better Act that support communities with disabilities, help workers secure good-paying jobs, invest in community and home-based services, and further equity in our education system.
Event panelists included New Mexico youth Prestyn Bacaand Emma Duffy, Joel Davis, policy chair of Elevate the Spectrum and New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council member,Kaity Ellis, member of the governor’s State Rehabilitation Council for the Commission for the Blind, Nathan Gomme, executive director, Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Gary D. Housepian, CEO of Disability Rights New Mexico, Alice Liu McCoy, executive director of the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council, and Amira M. Rasheed,consumer advocate at the New Mexico Attorney General's Office.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will invest $39 billion nationwide in accessibility mandates across many types of community infrastructure. This investment in enhancing the accessibility of transit systems, alongside other provisions that invest $65 billion in broadband internet services to begin closing the digital divide, will improve the lives of New Mexicans with disabilities.
“It was an honor to sit down with such amazing advocates in our disabilities community working to advance opportunities and meet the needs of our young people in New Mexico. We must work together to expand educational and employment opportunities, community-based services, and access to care—particularly for our young people. The pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to address the inequities that have impacted individuals, and particularly young people, living with disabilities,” said Rep. Stansbury. “I am honored to stand in solidarity and work in partnership with our communities to ensure every New Mexican has the resources and opportunities to thrive.”
“To secure greater self-determination, integration, and inclusion in our communities for New Mexicans living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Congress must pass the important legislation Congresswoman Stansbury is championing—especially the Build Back Better Act,” said Alice Liu McCoy, executive director of the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council. “Ensuring adequate supportive housing, meaningful accessibility in both physical and virtual spaces, strong supported employment opportunities, and equitable wages and working conditions for people living with disabilities—as well as those caring for them—will vastly improve the lives of New Mexicans. Through this legislation, we will be poised to unlock the enormous potential of the people of our state and give our economy a vital boost.
Rep. Stansbury and panelists later heard from community members who shared their concerns, questions, and priorities surrounding disability justice and community resources during the virtual roundtable.
Rep. Stansbury also highlighted recently cosponsored legislation with significant impacts for communities with disabilities, including the Raise the Wage Act of 2021 that eliminates the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities.