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driowa.bsky.social
@driowa.bsky.social
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driowa.bsky.social @driowa.bsky.social · May 16
There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut our funding.

We exist to investigate abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, especially in institutions and state-run facilities. Help us save these programs and contact congress with this linked form
secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Image of a woman talking. Text reads: “urgent call to action! There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut DRI's funding. DRI exists to investigate abuse and neglect of Iowans with disabilities in institutions, state-run facilities, and home and community- based services. We need your help!” text: "our funding is at risk. without DRI, there is no independent watchdog - and history has shown us what happens when there is no oversight." Text: without DRI investigating, monitoring, and advocating - Iowans will fall through the cracks. Iowans will be abused. Iowans will die." Text: "this is not a hypothetical. P&As were created so that abuse and neglect could be prevented. don't let history repeat itself."
driowa.bsky.social
Congress created the P&As as independent watchdog in response to the widespread abuse of people with disabilities at Willowbrook and other institutions. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Senator Robert F. Kennedy photographed smiling while standing at a podium. Quote typed out on top of the image reads "I think that... we have a situation that borders on a snake pit, and that the children live in filth, that many of our fellow citizens are suffering tremendously because lack of attention, lack of imagination, lack of adequate manpower." - Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
January 26, 2026 at 7:26 PM
driowa.bsky.social
P&As have a federal mandate to keep people with disabilities safe from harm, fight illegal discrimination. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
P&As have a federal mandate to keep people with disabilities safe from harm, fight illegal discrimination P&As work to ensure people in our community have access to healthcare, housing, jobs, and education.   A major component of P&A work is assisting individuals with disabilities move out of large, expensive government-run institutions, into smaller, community-based or private homes that save taxpayer dollars.   P&A advocacy cuts red tape and delays to help parents of children with disabilities make sure their kids get the education and the services they need. 
January 26, 2026 at 7:08 PM
driowa.bsky.social
There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut our funding.
We exist to investigate abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, especially in institutions and state-run facilities. Help us save these programs and contact congress with this linked form secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Image of a woman talking. Text reads: “urgent call to action! There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut DRI's funding. DRI exists to investigate abuse and neglect of Iowans with disabilities in institutions, state-run facilities, and home and community- based services. We need your help!” text: "our funding is at risk. without DRI, there is no independent watchdog - and history has shown us what happens when there is no oversight." text reads " dri is part of the national protection and advocacy network (P&A). The P&As were created after the public learned of the horrific living conditions in state institutions. People were beaten, restrained, ignored, malnourished, denied medications, and kept in inhuman conditions. P&As were the nation's promise of "never again." Text: without DRI investigating, monitoring, and advocating - Iowans will fall through the cracks. Iowans will be abused. Iowans will die."
January 26, 2026 at 6:50 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Thank you to Polk County for gifting us with a Betterment Grant! We're so thankful to have been selected as a recipient. Thank you to everyone working with Polk County who believes in our mission as much as we do.
To learn more about donating to DRI, please visit www.driowa.org/donate
capital building silhouetted inside the outlines of the three downtown des moines sky scrapers on top of green stripes of grass with text underneath reading "polk county board of supervisors"
January 26, 2026 at 5:05 PM
driowa.bsky.social
People with disabilities deserve safety & dignity — and that starts with oversight. P&As have the legal power to enter facilities & stop abuse. But this authority is under threat from proposed budget cuts. Tell Congress: #ProtectP&As 
👉 secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Access Authority? Our P&As are the only federally designated organizations with access authority. Access authority gives our advocates the legal power to enter facilities serving people with disabilities, including hospitals, group homes, prisons, schools, and nursing homes with no advanced notice. Targeted investigations – When abuse or neglect is suspected, we look into it. Private conversations – we can go into locked areas and ask residents questions. Routine monitoring - Our network performs reviews conditions, assess if rights are being violated, and educate individuals on their rights. Uncovering abuses– We can expose restraint and seclusion, unclean rooms, emotional mistreatment, withholding medications or food, physical abuse and neglect. Quick fixes– Discovering hazards enables quick response. Accountability– Knowing inspections can happen encourages facilities to act better. Legal Foundations and Tools: Broad Statutory Coverage– Laws grant us the right to access areas serving people with disabilities. Record & Data Access– Beyond physical presence, P&As have the legal authority to request records, especially when records may be tied to an abuse and neglect investigation
January 25, 2026 at 7:16 PM
driowa.bsky.social
The P&A for Social Security Beneficiaries Act tasks the P&A network with protecting beneficiaries. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
An arrow indicating to go to next image. Text: “How we prevent social security benefit fraud” Text: “The P&A for Social Security Beneficiaries Act tasks the P&A network with protecting beneficiaries” Graphic of a coin with a dollar sign on it. Text: “Many beneficiaries have “Representative Payees” who receive their social security funds. These Representatives Payees are supposed to use them to make sure the beneficiary has their needs met.” Text: “Unfortunately, some Representative Payees misuse the money, stealing from those who trust them.”
January 25, 2026 at 7:06 PM
driowa.bsky.social
The P&A programs were created to protect and advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of people with all disabilities. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
A woman in a wheelchair and a man who’s seated on the floor pose with their eyes closed, they look like they are relaxing. Text: “How does the P&A System Protect Americans Health?” Text: “Why was the P&A system created? The P&A programs were created to protect and advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of people with all disabilities. Part of that is getting people out of institutions” Text: “How does getting people out of institutions keep them healthy? People with disabilities have better health outcomes when they are in the community, not locked away in facilities.” Text: “Why does getting poeple out of institutions help keep them healthy? People who stay in the community can access their doctors, go to work, and stay connected with friends and families.”
January 25, 2026 at 7:05 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Washington wants to eliminate the program that protects the individual rights of people with disabilities.https://secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUamWdNZNIgMew2
text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy reads "Washington wants to eliminate funding for DRI’s advocacy protecting your individual rights." text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy reads "DRI protects your individual rights through the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights Program (PAIR)." text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy reads "How does DRI use PAIR to help you? With this funding, DRI: Protects Iowans with disabilities from abuse and neglect and Advocates for accommodations in employment and education. text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy reads "DRI uses PAIR to ensure EQUAL ACCESS to: healthcare, assistive technology, buildings, sidewalks, parking, and more."
January 24, 2026 at 7:02 PM
driowa.bsky.social
PAVA protects election security. American voters need their government to be vigilant, through programs like PAVA, to ensure our elections are being run fairly and accurately. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Background image shows a hand dropping their ballot into a box. Text: “Protect our votes. Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps people with disabilities vote: Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access.” Graphic of two people putting their ballots into a drop box. Text: “PAVA Protections Election Security. American voters need their government to be vigilant, through programs like PAVA, to ensure our elections are being run fairly and accurately.” Graphic of a group of people, including someone with a white tipped cane, in line to vote. Text: “PAVA helped Americans turn out to the polls in record numbers in 2024 and make their voices heard. That includes 40 million Americans with disabilities, older adults, and wounded warriors who rely on PAVA to have access to the vote. Graphic of a woman depositing her ballot. Another woman is holding a sign that says vote. Text: “The disability vote is not a partisan issue. People with disabilities are a swing vote in the United States, and ending programs that help them get their votes cast and voices heard damages the integrity of our elections without providing an advantage or disadvantage to any particular party. Put simply, we all lose.”
January 24, 2026 at 6:54 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps people with disabilities vote – Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "Protect your vote. Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps people with disabilities VOTE." text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA). Under this program, DRI has a mandate to make sure voting is fully accessible to Iowans with disabilities." text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "With this funding DRI has: Held public forums for the candidates to share their perspective on disability policy" text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "With this funding DRI has: Educated Iowans with disabilities on their right to vote"
January 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps people with disabilities vote – Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "Protect your vote. Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps people with disabilities VOTE." text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA). Under this program, DRI has a mandate to make sure voting is fully accessible to Iowans with disabilities." text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "With this funding DRI has: Held public forums for the candidates to share their perspective on disability policy" text on top of grayed out photos of DRI's advocacy reads "With this funding DRI has: Educated Iowans with disabilities on their right to vote"
January 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Upcoming Learning Opportunity!

Catherine will be leading a presentation at Mary Greeley Medical Center titled - The Rehabilitation Act in Healthcare: Increasing Accessibility for Patients with Disabilities. The presentation will be on Friday January 30th from 1-2pm.
text on a calendar reads "Training Opportunity. Friday, January 30, 2026. The Rehabilitation Act in Healthcare: Increasing Accessibility for Patients with Disabilities." text on blank page reads "The Rehabilitation Act in Healthcare: Increasing Accessibility for Patients with Disabilities. Featuring Catherine Johnson of Disability Rights Iowa. CMEs and CLEs offered! Mary Greeley Medical Center Bessie Myers Auditorium and Microsoft Teams. This event is sponsored by the Mary Greeley Medical Center Disability Employee Resource Group. ASL interpretation of the seminar will be provided and accommodation requests can be directed to Kody Olson at olsonda@mgmc.com. Friday, January 30th, 1-2pm"
January 23, 2026 at 1:17 AM
driowa.bsky.social
Did you know that DRI makes sure schools are educating students with disabilities?https://secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUamWdNZNIgMew2
All images in this series are stylized as writing on a chalkboard. In this first image a teacher’s desk with books and a pencil is visible. Text: “Making sure students with disabilities get the services they need” Text: “How do we help? We cut through the red tape and bureaucracy to make sure kids with disabilities get the accommodations and services they need” Text: “If a public school doesn’t want to put in a ramp or hire an ASL interpreter, it’s discrimination! They must provide children with reasonable accommodations” Image of a school and pencils on the chalkboard. Text: “Need help getting your child the educational services they need? Call or email us! Contact information in bio”
January 22, 2026 at 7:03 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Contact your Representative and Senators and tell them to save the Protection and Advocacy programs for people with disabilities. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Background image is the Capitol building at night. Text: “Washington is proposing big cuts to mental health programs, like our Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness. There is already a mental health crisis in this country. Cuts will only worsen the crisis.” Text: “Cuts to disability rights mental health programs would reduce the number of staff available to help people with mental illness get their services they need.. Fewer people will get the help they need. Background image is a black and white picture of a person sitting on the street. Text: “Homelessness could increase. Many people with mental illness rely on our services to stay housed. Without them, more may lose their homes.” Text: “This will cost taxpayers more. Cutting our services now will lead to more expensive emergency care, jail time, or long hospital stays for people with mental illnesses later.”
January 22, 2026 at 6:56 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Washington is proposing big cuts to mental health programs, like our protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness. There is already a mental health crisis in this country. Cuts will only worsen the crisis. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy efforts reads "Protect Mental Health Advocacy. Washington wants to eliminate the program that helps DRI advocate for your rights." text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy efforts reads "Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI). DRI is mandated to protect and advocate for the rights of people with mental illness by congress." text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy efforts reads "DRI uses PAIMI to keep Iowa students in school." text on top of grayed out images of DRI's advocacy efforts reads "DRI advocates for Iowans to get the accommodations they need to stay employed."
January 22, 2026 at 6:55 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Disability Rights Iowa will be having its quarterly Board meeting on Friday, January 23rd. Written public comment can be shared with the Board by emailing [email protected] before Wednesday, January 21st at 4pm.
January 22, 2026 at 12:50 AM
driowa.bsky.social
Thank you so much for your support over the years. With your generosity, DRI makes a difference in the lives of Iowans every day. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
text over various disability awareness icons reads "DRI's impact from 10/1/2023-9/30/2024" text over various disability awareness icons reads "81/99. DRI provided assistance to Iowans with disabilities in 81 out of 99 counties." text over various disability awareness icons reads "Over 3,000 Iowans with disabilities were impacted by DRI led monitorings and financial reviews." text over various disability awareness icons reads "DRI completed 35 monitorings. advocates visited facilities, congregate care settings and home and community-based settings where Iowans with disabilities reside and/ or received services."
January 21, 2026 at 7:15 PM
driowa.bsky.social
There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut the protection and advocacy programs that fund our work. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Image of a woman making a phone call. Text: “urgent call to action! There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut protection and advocacy programs. These programs exist to investigate abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, especially in institutions and state-run facilities. Learn more!” Blurred image of a hospital hallway. Text: “P&A funding at risk. Without P&As, there is no independent watchdog — and history has shown us what happens when there is no oversight. Learn more” Blurred image of a dark hospital hallway. Text: “P&A funding is at risk. P&As were created after the public learned of horrific conditions in state institutions. People were beaten, restrained, ignored, malnourished, denied medications, and kept in inhumane conditions. P&As were the nation's promise: ‘never again.’ learn more” Photo of a woman holding her head in a dark room, indicating she is in distress. Text: “P&A funding is at risk. Without P&As investigating, monitoring, and advocating, people will fall through the cracks. People will be abused. And some people will die. Learn more”
January 21, 2026 at 6:51 PM
driowa.bsky.social
"We do not want your services to be cut."

Help us save these programs and contact congress with this linked form secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
January 21, 2026 at 6:47 PM
driowa.bsky.social
P&As work to ensure that federal, state and local tax dollars designated to help people with disabilities are serving those in need.   secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Image of the Capitol Building. Text: “Congress created the P&As as independent watchdog in response to the widespread abuse of people with disabilities at Willowbrook and other institutions” Photo of people going over paperwork. Text: “P&As do not add to the size of the federal bureaucracy; they hold the bureaucracy accountable.” Photo of a diverse group of people sitting around in a circle, smiling and talking. “A major benefit to the federal government is that P&As are private, community-based organizations.” Photo of a man who uses a wheelchair being assisted transferring from a van. Text: “P&As work to ensure that federal, state and local tax dollars designated to help people with disabilities are serving those in need.”
January 20, 2026 at 6:48 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Food insecurity is on the rise. These resources can help.

Food Pantries across Iowa:
United Way of Iowa (Also known as 211)
211
211iowa.org

IowaCommunityAction.org
515-244-0307
[email protected]
screenshot of text from the caption.
January 20, 2026 at 6:37 PM
driowa.bsky.social
Disability Rights Iowa will be having its quarterly Board meeting on Friday, January 23rd. Written public comment can be shared with the Board by emailing [email protected] before Wednesday, January 21st at 4pm.
January 20, 2026 at 12:50 AM
driowa.bsky.social
Congress created the P&As as independent watchdog in response to the widespread abuse of people with disabilities at Willowbrook and other institutions. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Senator Robert F. Kennedy photographed smiling while standing at a podium. Quote typed out on top of the image reads "I think that... we have a situation that borders on a snake pit, and that the children live in filth, that many of our fellow citizens are suffering tremendously because lack of attention, lack of imagination, lack of adequate manpower." - Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
January 19, 2026 at 7:26 PM
driowa.bsky.social
P&As have a federal mandate to keep people with disabilities safe from harm, fight illegal discrimination. secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
P&As have a federal mandate to keep people with disabilities safe from harm, fight illegal discrimination P&As work to ensure people in our community have access to healthcare, housing, jobs, and education.   A major component of P&A work is assisting individuals with disabilities move out of large, expensive government-run institutions, into smaller, community-based or private homes that save taxpayer dollars.   P&A advocacy cuts red tape and delays to help parents of children with disabilities make sure their kids get the education and the services they need. 
January 19, 2026 at 7:07 PM
driowa.bsky.social
There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut our funding.
We exist to investigate abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, especially in institutions and state-run facilities. Help us save these programs and contact congress with this linked form secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
Image of a woman talking. Text reads: “urgent call to action! There is a proposal in Washington, DC to cut DRI's funding. DRI exists to investigate abuse and neglect of Iowans with disabilities in institutions, state-run facilities, and home and community- based services. We need your help!” text: "our funding is at risk. without DRI, there is no independent watchdog - and history has shown us what happens when there is no oversight." text reads " dri is part of the national protection and advocacy network (P&A). The P&As were created after the public learned of the horrific living conditions in state institutions. People were beaten, restrained, ignored, malnourished, denied medications, and kept in inhuman conditions. P&As were the nation's promise of "never again." Text: without DRI investigating, monitoring, and advocating - Iowans will fall through the cracks. Iowans will be abused. Iowans will die."
January 19, 2026 at 6:49 PM