The Arc of Indiana & Self-Advocates of Indiana
Disability Policy Issues Questionnaire
District 8
Mary Allen – Democrat
Question 1 – Home and Community-Based Services
Would you support federal legislation to make Home and Community-Based Services a mandatory Medicaid benefit? Why or why not?
Response: Yes, I fully support federal legislation to make HCBS a mandatory Medicaid benefit. We know that optional waiver programs create a structural bias toward institutionalization, leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals on years-long waiting lists simply to receive care in their own homes. We also know that community-based care yields significantly better health outcomes, respects individual autonomy, protects mental health, and is ultimately more cost-effective for taxpayers than institutional care. HCBS should be a core right.
Question 2 – Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Do you believe the current SSI resource limits should be increased, indexed for inflation, or otherwise reformed? Why or why not?
Response: Yes, the current SSI resource limits are severely outdated and desperately in need of reform. Current limits force people with disabilities into deep, systemic poverty.
About SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides a modest cash benefit for low-income individuals who are elderly, blind, or have disabilities. While costs for basic necessities have increased over the years, SSI’s asset limits have not kept pace with inflation and have remained largely unchanged since 1989. An individual on SSI generally cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources at any time. Married couples are only allowed $3,000. Resources that count towards the SSI asset limit include cash, money in bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and certain other assets.
Question 3 – Direct Support Professional (DSP) Crisis
What federal policies would you support to strengthen the Direct Support Professional workforce, including recruitment, retention, compensation, and support for family caregivers?
Response: This is a crisis impacting our HCBS program. One way is to ensure to provide federal grants for DSP training programs, apprenticeship pathways, credentialing, and student loan forgiveness programs similar to those offered to nurses and teachers. Another possible option is to expand the National Family Caregiver Support Program, increase funding for temporary respite care, and provide tax credits for unpaid family caregivers who balance caregiving with employment.
About the DSP Crisis
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide essential support that allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. However, the profession continues to experience chronic workforce shortages driven by low wages, limited benefits, and high turnover. Nationally, DSP turnover exceeds 40% annually, and many providers report vacancy rates that leave critical positions unfilled. These workforce shortages contribute to service disruptions, increased caregiver strain, longer waiting lists for waivers, and reduced access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
Question 4 – Seclusion and Restraint
What would you do to address issues of seclusion and restraint in schools for students with disabilities?
Response: First, let me say that I am not expert on this issue, and I would lean on the experts in the field and child advocates to offer evidence based best practices. But I personally think seclusion and restraints have no place in our schools. I could see how these would be traumatizing and dangerous practices that, as stated above, disproportionately target students with disabilities. We should redirect federal funding under IDEA toward Evidence-Based Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports alongside trauma-informed care training, and de-escalation strategies for educators and school personnel.
About Seclusion and Restraint
Seclusion and restraint are crisis intervention practices used in some schools across the nation. Seclusion generally involves involuntarily confining a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. Restraint may involve physical, mechanical, or chemical interventions that restrict a student’s movement.
Students with disabilities are disproportionately subjected to seclusion and restraint practices. Disability advocates have raised concerns regarding safety, trauma, transparency, accountability, and the use of these interventions when less restrictive alternatives may be available.
Question 5 – Housing
What federal policies would you support to expand safe, affordable, accessible, and integrated housing opportunities for people with disabilities?
Response: Access to accessible and affordable housing is fundamental to community integration. I support a comprehensive federal strategy. We need to prioritize federal funding for HUD’s Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program to create dedicated, affordable, accessible units. We also need to strengthen enforcement of the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to eliminate disability discrimination in rental markets and home buying.
About Housing
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a housing crisis, with many contributing factors, such as a serious lack of safe, affordable, accessible and integrated housing, and significant housing-related discrimination. Access to stable housing is essential to community integration, employment, health, and quality of life.
Question 6 – Transportation
What actions would you take to improve the availability, accessibility, reliability, and affordability of transportation options for people with disabilities?
Response: I have been a passionate advocate for public transit for a long time. Transportation is the key to employment, healthcare, and full community life. We need to work on eliminating transportation barriers. Some options could be expanding federal funding for local transit authorities to update and improve paratransit systems, reducing wait times, expanding service hours and geographic coverage. We need to pass federal regulations holding commercial airlines accountable for damaging mobility equipment and force the DOT to establish standards for passengers to remain in their personal wheelchairs during flights. And rural access is a big issue, especially in my district. We need to increase federal grants targeting demand-response transportation in rural and underserved areas where public transit options are virtually non-existent.
About Transportation
People with IDD lack sufficient access to reliable, accessible, and safe modes of public and private transportation. Every mode of transportation, including air, water, road, rail, and even pedestrian transportation, presents barriers for individuals with IDD. These barriers prevent people with IDD from meaningful participation in everyday activities that promote high-quality community living experiences.
Reliable and accessible transportation is essential for people with disabilities to access employment, education, health care, community activities, and other opportunities. Transportation limitations can significantly restrict independence and community participation.