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ShareEconomic Stimulus: Documenting Impact
The Obama administration has asked NSCIA and other leading consumer organizations representing people with disabilities to help identify persons with a disability that have gone to work or been rehired as a result of the economic recovery plan. For example, a company hiring as a result of money they receive, or plan to receive. If you, or someone you know of, fits this description, please email elarson@spinalcord.org with a short summary and contact information for the person being hired.
After having a version passed by the Senate, the Stimulus packages were reconciled in conference by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Representative Charlie Rangel (NY), Representative David Obey (WI), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), Senator Daniel Inouye (HI), and Senator Max Baucus (MT).
The House has since voted 246-183 in favor of the compromised bill. The Senate is expected to vote tonight (Friday, Feb. 13).
A preliminary survey of the final stimulus appears to have retained the majority of the disability related funding including:
- Vocational Rehabilitation $540 million
- Independent Living $140 million - $18.2 million for State Grants, $87.5 million for CILs, $34.3 million for older blind, and
- $12.2 billion for IDEA.
Once the stimulus has passed, the work is not over. Next steps will involve ensuring the implementation of the stimulus package retains the promise. Making sure that people with disabilities remain a priority as jobs are created, infastructure is renovated, and science and education are reinvigorated.
The House and Senate versions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 at www.readthestimulus.org .