The Council passed Resolution R-14-134, authored by Councilmember Cantrell, supporting the legislative agenda of the Advocacy Center and the continued and expanded state funding of its Supported Independent Living Advocacy Program, which supports adults with disabilities living independently in the community. Representatives of the Advocacy Center appeared before the Council to be recognized for the organization's work on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
Organized in 1978 and based in New Orleans, the Advocacy Centeris a statewide nonprofit that provides educational, empowerment, and advocacy services for people with disabilities, group home and nursing home residents, and the elderly. The Advocacy Center also focuses on legislative advocacy and the representatives outlined the organization's priorities for and its stances on various bills being considered during the legislative session.
The Advocacy Center is supporting several items of legislation in the 2014 legislative session intended to maintain and improve the well-being of Louisiana's elderly and disabled residents including:
- Senate Bill 355 by Senator Fred H. Mills, Jr. allowing for a vote in the November 2014 election on a state constitutional amendment supporting protections for funding of critical services for people with disabilities and seniors;
- House Bill 199 by Representative Badon and Senate Bill 164 by Senator Murray to protect against unjust discrimination in state laws by adding disability and aging protections and to expand existing protections to include people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness regarding issues of licensure, insurance, real estate activities, income tax credits, higher education and housing.
District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "The Advocacy Center helps those who are most in need of support and protection. We are proud to support the group's legislative priorities and the continued and expanded funding of the Advocacy Center's important programming."