Jason Hahr

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Proposed Access Rules May Impact Medicaid’s HCBS Program--Comments due July 3

On the June 22 Thursday national self-advocacy call ( ) call it came to our attention that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.gov) have drafted new rules for the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver known as Access Rules. The public may comment on them until July 3. We must emphasize that these rules are currently in DRAFT form and not in effect at this point; however, if they do take effect they will have a tremendous impact on the HCBS program nationwide. You can
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"What is Inclusion?" -- One Self-Advocate's Quest to Appear on a TV Game Show

While working for , I've been able to discuss a wide variety of disability-related issues in the media ranging from healthcare and legislative issues to the portrayal of people with disabilities. Today’s article will indeed discuss disability on television but from a different viewpoint. Up until now, I've mostly written about portrayals of individuals with disabilities by able-bodied actors in television and film. However, with the recent uptick in popularity of game shows, I have the followin
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FL SAND's Hall Helps Self-Advocates Expedite Life Outdoors

Past President Eddie Hall was able to combine his love of advocacy with his love of the outdoors after completing a national self-advocacy Fellowship. Hall, who is already a powerful advocate in Florida, was given a unique opportunity when he received a grant from the , or as it is commonly known, SARTAC, as part of a Fellowship to help solve problems related to disability. Eddie took full advantage of the fellowship, not only to further pursue his own interest in recreation, but at the same t
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Remembering Judy Heumann: How Her Life and Legacy Transformed the Disability Community

The following post is shared from FSACentral writer Jason Hahr's personal blog, "The Voiceless Minority." Facts from Ms. Heumann's life were sourced from judithheumann.com and AAPD. Disability pioneer Judy Heumann passed away March 4. Since my blog focuses on disability related issues I would be doing you my readers a great disservice if I did not write a piece on the late Judy Heumann, without whom this blog may not even exist. Judith ”Judy” Heumann was born December 18, 1947, in Philadelphia
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Impact of DD Day to Extend Throughout Legislative Session

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day is Tuesday March 14. This annual event intended to raise awareness about disability issues during legislative session also serves as a rallying cry to self-advocates to reach out to their elected representatives. Although there will be a small delegation of self-advocates working the capitol March 14, the majority of advocacy work to be done in the 2023 session will take place in local communities. For those who won't be in Tallahassee March 14, there wi
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Advocacy Keeps Life from Stopping During a Health Crisis

As people with disabilities, we encounter many ways to advocate in our everyday lives. Our advocacy efforts can range from anything such as education, voting, or sports. However, one of the most crucial areas where an individual’s advocacy efforts are vital is in the healthcare system. The following piece will highlight my personal advocacy journey when it comes to healthcare. I have spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Due to my disability, I have been forced to familiarize myself with the hea
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The Hive Presents New Opportunities for Inclusion & Personal Growth

A mother’s dream for her son has resulted in a game-changing opportunity for the disability community in the Tampa Bay area. I was recently introduced to Tonya Whitlock who described her vision for an inclusive community known as The Hive. At one point during our conversation, it came out that the concept for the Hive stemmed from the fact that Whitlock has a 28-year-old son with a disability. She has yet to find anything that meets his care or socialization needs as a young adult. Rather than
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Power of the Vote: A Quick Guide to What You Need to Know About the 2022 Elections

It’s back: election season is upon us and for self-advocates, it means we have the opportunity to make our voices heard at the ballot box later this year. Read on for the most up-to-date information on Florida elections this year so that you can exercise your fundamental right to vote more effectively. Although the 2022 election is a mid-term election -- which is the general election in between presidential elections --it is still essential. This article will provide you with important dates to
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It's Time for a Focused Effort to Cast More People with Disabilities in TV & Movies

As a person who has cerebral palsy, I am always looking for a way to increase my advocacy efforts. I have found much success in writing articles like this one. However, while this is a powerful way to advocate, one of the most powerful and influential ways to push for change is through the media. In particular, the medium of television and film is crucial in determining how society views a group of people or how it feels about a specific issue. People with disabilities do seem to be appearing m
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The Upside of Cruising During COVID

I have always been someone at the front of the line when it comes to trying new things; and no, it's not just because people in wheelchairs get to cut to the front of the line pretty much everywhere. Keeping that in mind, it should be no surprise that I was the first in line to put the cruising industry's COVID-19 protocols to the test when cruise ships started sailing again in the US. My family cruises every year; it’s our version of a family reunion, or should I say a reunion with family memb
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“The Upside“ Gives Disability a Front Row Seat in Hollywood

People with disabilities are people first. However, we aren’t always portrayed that way in movies and television. In the past, people with disabilities were often portrayed as childlike or untouchable. Over the past couple of decades however, Hollywood has made various attempts to portray people with disabilities more dramatically. One such example was in the movie “Million Dollar Baby,” starring Clint Eastwood. The trend continued with the movie “Me Before You.” These movies addressed the seri
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“The Upside“ Provides Escape and Genuine Portrayal of Disability

This is the first in a two-part series of articles on "The Upside," released in theaters January 11. Many in the disability community were chomping at the bit when trailers first came out for “The Upside.” Regardless of how it does at the box office overall, it will be viewed widely by those in our community. A question I had in anticipation of its release was “What impact will 'The Upside' have on the disability movement”? As was mentioned in my preview on the movie, disability has not always
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“The Upside” Presents Unique Opportunity for Advocacy

This is the second article in a two-part series on "The Upside," released in theaters January 11. The new year has just begun and several great movies have already made a big splash, including one that inadvertently addresses a very hot topic in disability advocacy – the relationship between persons with disabilities and their caregivers. “The Upside,” staring Hollywood A-listers Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, is bringing the human side of disability to the forefront of discussion. While some
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Florida Self-Advocates Meet with Administration on Disabilities Commi

A group of Florida self-advocates met with federal Administration on Disabilities commissioner Julie Hocker last week to discuss hot-button concerns for persons with disabilities in Florida. Hocker met with members of Florida Self-Advocates Network’D (FL SAND) and others February 25 while visiting the Sunshine State for the Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC) conference in Orlando. The Administration on Disabilities, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was created
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An Open Letter to the President-Elect: Please Don't Forget Persons with Disabilities

Florida Self-Advocacy Central extends a warm welcome to its newest writer, Jason Hahr. I would like to congratulate you on a hard-fought victory. I am aware at this time that you are receiving many letters. So, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read mine. My name is Jason Hahr. I am 30 years old and have cerebral palsy. Due to my cerebral palsy I am extremely physically limited. I need help with everything, from bathing, getting in and out of my wheelchair, to writing a letter.
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FL SAND, The First Time is a Charm

The following is reposted with permission from Jason Hahr's personal blog The Voiceless Minority. So, this weekend I attended my first Florida SAND conference. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never been to an event like this. To be honest, I had heard mixed reviews from those who have attended in the past. It started off slow, there were some technical and arrival glitches with myself and my PCA. However, once we got there it quickly became apparent that this was not going to be an
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Self-Advocates to Focus on Transportation and Provider Rates at DD Day

It’s March and the Florida Legislature will open its 2017 session in just a few days, at which time Florida Self-advocates Network’D (FLSAND) and other disability advocates will present lawmakers with their legislative priorities. Although there are many issues affecting those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, it’s not possible to focus on them all each session. At its annual conference in January, FL SAND members voted to focus on two key issues: increasing access to transpor
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Cruising with a Disability -- Bring your Sunscreen & Shower Chair

Like many publications, Florida Self-Advocacy Central talks about crucial issues in the disability community --everything from how persons with disabilities are portrayed in the media to advice for landing a job. What’s discussed less often by many publications is that persons with disabilities want to have fun just like everyone else -- whether it be enjoying local parks, the bar scene, or traveling. I caught the travel bug early and, due to a series of fortunate circumstances, have been able
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Lost Opportunity Inspires Passion for Lifelong Advocacy

As we progress further into the 21st century, the world is a much more complex place than it has been in the past. Education is now more crucial than ever and it is nearly impossible to succeed in some careers without higher education. Yet, like many things in life for persons with disabilities, there are barriers to higher education apart from those related to their physical or intellectual disabilities. Despite these barriers, I chose to pursue college after high school. The following piece i
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