The Value of VOR Membership
Please download, print, and share our Membership Appeal: The Value of VOR Membership
The Value of VOR Membership
VOR is a national, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization advocating for high quality care and human rights for all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1983, VOR is the longest running grassroots national advocacy organization supporting a full continuum of care options for people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, and their families. We recognize and champion the right of individuals and their families to be the primary decision-makers regarding care and policy decisions, regardless of service setting.
VOR is 100% privately funded and receives more than 95% of its financial support from families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Membership in VOR entitles you to receive the Weekly E-Mail Newsletter, a thrice annual print newsletter (The Voice), an invitation to an Annual Conference and Initiative in Washington, D.C., Action Alerts, individual advocacy, and legislative and legal advocacy. Members and supporters also enjoy the intangible benefit of supporting this truly grassroots national advocacy organization. VOR provides you with the information, networking opportunities, and tools to be a better advocate for your loved ones with I/DD.
VOR Works for You
This year, VOR has been working on issues that affect your family:
- This year, VOR has been working with leaders of other advocacy groups and supporters and speak with Members of Congress in order to preserve Medicaid funding and prevent drastic cuts that will force states to reduce funding for long-term services and supports for family care-givers, self-directed individuals, Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and ultimately intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IID).
- We have written letters to every State Governor and sent emails to every Director of DD Services to seek their support in the effort to prevent these cuts.
- We continue to fight the phasing out of sheltered workshops and the issuance of special wage certificates as provided by Section 14(c) of the Federal Labor Standards Act of 1938. These programs afford unique employment opportunities for a specific group of individuals with intellectual disabilities who thrive in a supported, supervised environment as opposed to an integrated, competitive workplace. VOR supports programs that will encourage competitive integrated employment, but does not feel that supporting these programs for one group of people requires taking away programs and opportunities from another group of individuals.
- VOR continues to meet with leadership of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to advocate for better reporting of critical incidents, especially those involving abuse and neglect in HCBS waiver settings, as well as for better pay, training and certification for Direct Support Professionals in all settings.
- VOR has created a new committee to support the development of services and supports for the growing population of individuals with concurring diagnoses of I/DD or autism with severe mental illnesses. We have worked with the Link Center and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS) to bring awareness and ultimately funding support this cohort of individuals.
To join or donate through our secure online portal, please go to:
https://vor.net/get-involved/donate-to-vor
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