In this week’s edition we have a win for the Welsh Deaf community, future health funding cuts in Idaho, a growing adapted sport, another health crisis for someone detained by the U.S. government, and a Washington State Republican in hot water for his choice of words (spoiler alert: it includes a slur).
A Milestone for the deaf community as Senedd passes British Sign Language (Wales) Bill
Staff, Wrexham.com
Something rare just happened in Wales’ parliament. A private member’s bill, one of just six to pass since 1999, has cleared one of its final hurdles and result in British Sign Language (BSL) acknowledged in Welsh law with an eye towards reducing barriers Deaf Welsh people have in their day-to-day lives. A private member’s bill is legislation brought forward by an individual politician rather than a larger governmental group.
While the headlines tend to focus on the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, the U.K. has national parliaments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The issues they debate are more limited, mostly local matters, including those surrounding culture. The Welsh parliament is known as the Senedd.
The passage of this legislation follows a trend where accessibility bills, like Canada’s Accessible Canada Act, don’t just reckon with inaccessibility issues, but also acknowledging the uniqueness of Disabled and Deaf identities.
‘I feel desperate’: Minnesota woman suffering medical emergency stuck in Texas detention
Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer
The latest in an onslaught of human-rights stories coming out of Minnesota, this article shares how one Minnesotan, Andrea Pedro-Francisco, just a week away from a major surgery, was whisked away to a Texas detention center. It’s now been more than a month since she was supposed to have surgery to treat an ovarian cyst.
Government agents abducted Pedro-Francisco on her way to work. According to those with knowledge of the case, she has been offered the choice to self-deport rather than receive adequate medical care. Despite calls from elected officials and her legal team, Pedro-Francisco remains in custody.
From the Story: “I want to be able to go back to my family…I feel sad. I feel tired. I feel desperate to get out of here and see my family again.” — Andrea Pedro-Francisco
Idaho House passes $22M in Medicaid disability budget cuts
Kyle Pfannestiel, Idaho Capital Sun
In a blow to Disabled Idahoans, the state legislature passed a bill that would see tens of millions of dollars cut from its Medicaid budget, specifically money meant for providers who offer residential services. While those in favor of the cuts say the program will still be left with a hefty increase compared to previous years, the bill also requires an audit of current providers at an estimated cost of $850,000. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
From the Story: “I think they’re gonna have to probably tighten their belt some, as any business would if the income drops a little bit…I don’t see where they would have to shut down.” —Rep. John Vander Woude
WA Sen. Leonard Christian sparks backlash over remarks during disability bill debate
Daniel Fortin, KHQ (NBC, Spokane)
Before using a slur often leveled against intellectual Disabled people–commonly known as the r word—a Washington senator told the room he doesn’t have a speech writer. If the crowd had any doubt beforehand, they won’t now.
Sen. Christian was speaking out against repealing the state’s Community Protection Program, first created in 1996 and a frequent target of criticism from advocates who believe it is too restrictive and violates developmentally Disabled people’s civil rights. It started after a person named Betty Antus, who was not having her support plan followed according to researchers, started a fire that killed two people. The program is meant to support those with a criminal record or who are deemed dangerous to their community.
After being called out immediately for his use of the slur, Sen. Christian released a statement saying he was looking forward to speaking with those affected.
“After session, I look forward to meeting with members of the developmentally disabled community to discuss their agenda and how we might be able to address this issue while protecting individuals who are under the state’s care.”
The legislation was ultimately passed and has been sent to Gov. Bob Fergusson, a Democrat, for his signature.
From the Story: “I believe the good gentleman is inflaming rather than engendering debate.” — Senator Marcus Riccelli
Figure skaters with disabilities seek a place in the Paralympic spotlight
James Ellingworth, Associated Press
The Winter Paralympics closed on March 15, but that doesn’t mean that para sport is out of the spotlight just yet.
This piece looks at adaptations being made by Disabled figure skaters as the sport is not on the Paralympic program. Without a clear pathway to the Paralympics, sports like inclusive figure skating have severe funding challenges, limiting their ability to grow. While sports are occasionally added to the program — para climbing will be contested for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028 — they go through a rigorous process that often takes decades of development that many athletes and sporting organizations just can’t afford.
From the Story: “There was a very large period where we just thought, ‘Maybe this just isn’t going to work. Maybe this is a bit of a step too far,’ and then this amazing thing happened. After 10 weeks of being really bad, my brain just kind of kicked into gear.” — Stef Reid, athlete
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