NCSA Support for Tennessee HB 2497 — Nonprofit Disability Housing Options (March 2024)
Letter / Testimony | March 26, 2024
To: Honorable Bryan Terry, Chairman, Committee on Health, Tennessee State House of Representatives
Re: Support: HB 2497 — Expanding Residential Options for Individuals with Disabilities
The Honorable Bryan Terry, Chairman, Committee on Health, Tennessee State House of Representatives
March 26, 2024
SUPPORT: HB 2497
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) represents the interests of families affected by severe forms of autism and related disorders. Our National Grassroots Network has a Tennessee Chapter, led by TN State Chair Racheal Smith.
The types of residential options that HB 2497 aims to support is a topic that NCSA has extensive experience and resources to provide, including extensive documentation of similar programs across the nation.
Unlike those who may have submitted opposition statements to this bill, NCSA does not present our position based on loose assumptions or idealistic notions that defy reality. For many years, we have remained staunchly committed to thought leadership in regard to increasing housing options for people with disabilities.
We can state from our dogged analysis of similar programs across the nation that this bill does not risk segregation. On the contrary, these types of programs increase access to community, quality of life, and satisfaction for the residents they serve.
Olmstead never intended to confine individuals to narrowly-limited options provided strictly by the government. The very spirit of Olmstead was choice. This bill does not aim to force any individual to live in any setting. It simply adds an additional option for some individuals who may choose it. That is the antithesis of discrimination. To restrict people with disabilities from accessing an option that people without disabilities have is true discrimination, and that is what opposition statements to this bill have asked this committee to consider.
NCSA respectfully requests this committee SUPPORT HB 2497 and vote yes to people with disabilities having more choice of where they live.
Sincerely,
Jill Escher, President
