Social Benefit Reports

ANNUAL BENEFIT REPORT

Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation
Date: 09/03/226

Term covered: July 1st, 2025, through June 30, 2026
Submitted by Benefit Officer:
Douglas George Towne
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Requirements under the bylaws dated: 02-24-2022

Section 1. Annual Benefit Report.

The Board of Directors shall prepare, or cause to prepare, a social purpose annual benefit report to shareholders required under s. 607.512. The report shall address the following matters:

(A) Whether the social purpose corporation in all material respects acted in accordance with its public benefit purpose and describe the specific public benefits that were served during the period covered by the report.

(B) Any circumstances that hindered the pursuit of such purposes.

(C) Whether the directors and officers complied with Part II, Social Purpose Corporations statutes set forth in Section 607. 501 et seq.

(D) Whether the social purpose corporation or its directors or officers failed to comply with paragraph (A) or . 607.507(1) or . 607.509(1), including a description of the ways in which the social purpose corporation or its directors or officers failed to comply.

Section 2. Delivery and Posting of Annual Benefit Report.

The Corporation shall deliver the annual benefit report to each shareholder within one hundred twenty (120) days of the close of the Corporations fiscal year. Additionally, the Corporation shall post the most recent annual benefit report to the public portion of its website and retain copies of such reports on the website for at least three years.

Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation bylaw requirements

ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF PROFIT SOCIAL PURPOSE CORPORATION

Section 1. Social Purpose Corporation. The corporation elects to be a social purpose corporation in accordance with s. 607.503, F.S.

Section 2. Business Purpose and Public Benefit. The business purpose and public benefit(s) for which the Corporation is organized are:

(A) To develop financial resources able to fund its specific social purpose strategies.

(B) Providing low-income or underserved individuals with disabilities or communities with beneficial products or services through the development and promotion of information technology that meets accessibility standards allowing the use of such technologies by people with the widest range of disabilities possible.

(C) Promoting economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities or communities beyond the creation of jobs in the normal course of business by contracting for services to be performed by a nonprofit organization that creates employment and business opportunities for people with the widest range of disabilities possible.

(D) Protecting or restoring the environment by expanding the reach of information technology through accessibility thereby allowing people with disabilities to take advantage of home-based employment and business opportunities providing the resulting effect of lowering the individuals carbon footprint.

(E) Improving human health by expanding the accessibility of information technologies utilized in the healthcare industry thereby providing people with the widest range of disabilities access to healthcare services at the same level as the general population.

(F) Promoting the accessibility of the arts, sciences, business, government, nonprofit, and/or the advancement of knowledge by promoting a policy of accessible information technology across these and other disciplines in order to provide people with the widest range of disabilities possible access to goods, services, employment, civic, social and economic engagement at the same level as the general population.

(G) Increasing the flow of capital to entities that have as their stated purpose the provision of a benefit to society or the environment by funding educational and advocacy activities which promote a policy supporting accessible information technology benefiting people with the widest range of disabilities possible.

(H) Funding programs that identify issues, provide education about those issues and identify best practices and goods or services designed to provide accessibility to people with the widest range of disabilities possible.

Report Sections

(A) Report – The corporation did comply in all ways with the requirements of this section to the extent possible. given the circumstances imposed by the economic downturn related to the tariffs imposed on the economy and the resulting high inflation experienced by the United States during this time. While the impact of inflation is still being felt the economic conditions are in flux.

Specifically, the corporation:

Provided consulting services in relation to accessible voting for people with disabilities and contracted with its 501(C) 3 parent corporation to provide support related to these activities.

To this end it formed a relationship with the:

National Coalition on Accessible Voting (NCAV) to further efforts related to this sector.

Specifically, the coalition is engaging on the issue of electronic ballot return.

Further, Through the NCAV it has worked to improve Communications with the Deaf through the provision of video recorded American Sign Language instructions,

Communications with the Deaf Blind through devices provided to that community by the Federal government which will allow private and independent voting for the first time,

Communications with the Blind through devices known as “note takers” used by members of that community that typically operate using braille and are less sophisticated than standard computer systems which will allow private and independent voting for the first time to this group of voters,

Communications with voters who do not utilize computers and are unable to vote in person by providing touch tone telephone access to the election system allowing voting privately and independently for the first time to this group of voters,

Communications through smart phone technology which will allow voters to access the election system enabling them to cast their ballot privately and independently for the first time.

Further it has worked To advance the provision of communications related to the ballot content through pictures and graphics that can be used by voters with intellectual and cognitive disabilities to make election related choices without the need to read or comprehend the written word.

In addition, through its “Stand By Me” consulting program it has built a relationship with the Verified Voting Foundation to work on issues of mutual concern.

After July 1, 2025, it lost its consulting relationship with VOTEC Corporation on issues like accessible check in at the polls. This loss was the direct result of the economic climate.

Accessible election issues have become difficult to manage because of the social/political circumstances post January 20, 2025.

Further it contracted its management and lead election consulting to a disability owned business.

Further it concentrated its media dissemination of its position and policy work through a relationship with eReleases.

Further it contracted its management and lead publication services to a disability owned business.

Further it provided consulting services to Devoted Health LLC a Medicare/Medicaid insurance carrier to specifically improve their services to their members with disabilities.

Further, through its education and lobbying efforts, it crafted language and advocated for changes to Federal regulation in the healthcare space in relation to the following actions by the Federal government.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has released two very important and long-awaited final rules pertaining to nondiscrimination in
healthcare settings – the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Final Rule and the Final Rule on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

Section 504 Final Rule – on Wednesday May 1, 2024, HHS released its long-awaited Final Rule on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is a cornerstone of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance, as well as in programs and activities conducted by any Federal agency. Accordingly, this Final Rule applies to all recipients of HHS funding and financial assistance.

Access Ready through the ITEM Coalition submitted joint comments with the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation on this proposed rule in November 2023. The Final Rule tracks very closely to what was proposed last year, and a majority of the proposed provisions are being finalized without modification.

The text of the pre-publication version of the final rule that was published in the Federal Register is available here:

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-09237.pdf.

Section 1557 Final Rule – In addition to the release of the Section 504 Final Rule, the HHS Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) also released a final rule.

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/04/26/hhs-issues-new-rule-strengthen-nondiscrimination-protections-advance-civil-rights-health-care.html

The highly anticipated Final Rule on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) was issued on Friday the 26th of April 2024, regarding nondiscrimination in health programs and activities.

OCR is issuing this final rule to restore and strengthen civil rights protections for individuals consistent with the plain meaning of the statutory text. The previous version of this rule, issued in 2020, covers fewer programs and services and limited nondiscrimination protections for individuals. The Final Rule applies to health programs or activities that receive HHS funding, health programs or activities administered by HHS (such as the Medicare Part D program), and the health insurance Marketplace (and all plans offered by issuers that participate in those Marketplaces that receive Federal financial assistance).

Access Ready through the ITEM Coalition also submitted comments on this proposed rule back in October 2022.

The text of the pre-publication version of the final rule that was published in the Federal Register on Friday the 26th is available here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-09237.pdf

OCR’s Fact sheet on the Section 1557 Final Rule is available here:

https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/1557-fact-sheet/index..html

These make the second and third federal rules including the DOJ’s Final Rule on Strengthening Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities that Access Ready had input into in its first five years in existence.

While Access Ready stayed in its lane concerned with accessible information and communications technologies, we were pleased to support the many other organizations that joined in on the development of these rules.

Further, in conjunction with the ITEM Coalition announced that, on April 12th, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) officially revised its April 2024 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (“DMEPOS”) Fee Schedule to include a lump-sum Medicare purchase fee schedule amount for personal exoskeletons. The amount CMS finalized for payment has a ceiling-to-floor range from $109,238 to $81,929, with an established rate of $91,032 for each state. The finalization of this payment level constitutes a significant win for individuals in need of this critical new technology, as well as the broader rehabilitation and disability community.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this technology, exoskeletons are wearable assistive technology devices that provide powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury (“SCI”) to stand upright, walk, turn, and even ascend and descend stairs, thereby allowing them to function more independently and take part in community activities.

This marks the 4th Federal rule or regulation that Access Ready played a role in amending in its first five years.

Federal rules and policy have become difficult to manage because of the social/political circumstances post January 20, 2025.

Further because of Federal actions intended to dilute, rollback or delay the effects of many of the above stated rules the organization has worked with others to combat the actions of the administration.

Further it contracted its management and lead healthcare communications and program consulting to a disability owned business.

Further it launched and supported public policy and advocacy efforts through its parent companies’ membership in and relationship with the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities. These efforts took on a wide range of issues related to disability.

Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation (ARS)

Annual Social Benefits Public Policy and Advocacy Report

As stated, Access Ready does much of its public policy, advocacy and social purpose work through its relationship with the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD).

This collaboration takes place through CCD’s Task Force structure. Access Ready is directly involved in the ongoing planning, strategy and action discussions of each of these groups.

Access Ready’s approach to each of these Task Force concerns is first to follow our mission related to the Accessibility of Information and Communications Technologies and,

Second, to support the goals of the Task Force in general.

The report on the various Task Forces follows. Each Task Force utilizes its own format for reporting.

* Autism, DD, and Family Support Task Force

Accomplishments:

Advocated for adequate funding for programs that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including the DD Act and Autism CARES Act programs, the Lifespan Respite Care Act and other family support programs.
Continued to work on the implementation of the Autism CARES Act (HR 7213 of 118th Congress).
Responded to Administration’s actions on autism research and alleged causes of autism
Collaborated with LTSS and Health task force on Medicaid Defense
Worked to finalize FDA rules to prevent use of electric shock.

In the new Congress, we will work on:

Ensure adequate funding for programs that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including the DD Act and Autism CARES Act programs, the Lifespan Respite Care Act and other family support programs.
Ensure the full implementation of the newly reauthorized Autism CARES Act.
Advocate to end the use of electric shocks as a means of discipline.
Work with LTSS and Health Task Forces to protect Medicaid and Social Security.
Collaboration with other task forces that impact the IDD and autistic communities. (Health and ACA, Ed and Dept of Ed changes, Rights and 504)
Work to improve, reintroduce, and pass the Autism Family Caregivers Act

* Emergency Management Task Force

Brief Task Force Description

The Emergency Management Task Force (TF) advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities as it relates to policies and services before, during, and after disasters to ensure everyone has access to needed supports and services, and to improve outcomes for disabled people and disaster impacted communities. This might include reaching out to applicable federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Administration for Strategic for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC). The TF also educates and advocates to Congress for necessary legislation to provide important services during disasters, and to ensure that people with disabilities are not left out of relevant policies. The TF also monitors active disaster impacts on people with disabilities and disability discrimination.

2025-26 Task Force Issues

The TF continued to advocate for the Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act (REAADI).

The TF continued to advocate for the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA), S. 2071 / H.R. 3990.

The TF monitored and provided technical assistance to the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669)

The TF monitored and cataloged the impacts of the Administration’s changes to FEMA and other disaster-related federal policy, including the Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

2026 Task Force Issues

The Emergency Management TF intends to support reintroduction and educate about the need to pass REAADI for Disasters Act and DRMA.

Advocate for adequate integration of disability concepts in the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act.

Monitor other federal legislation and policies that impact and/or support people with disabilities in disasters and emergencies.

Advocate for full accessibility and equal access.

Ensure that federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act and other laws that extend protection to disabled people throughout disasters and emergencies.

* Education Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Education Task Force monitors federal legislation and regulations that address the educational needs of children and youth with disabilities, their families and their educators under key federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We promote high expectations and protect the civil rights and educational opportunities for children with disabilities under these and other laws.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

The Task Force developed recommendations for Fiscal Year 2025-26 appropriations.
The Task Force advocated for stronger federal enforcement of state waiver requests to exceed the 1% cap on the number of students taking Alternative Assessments on Alternate Achievement Standards which can significantly impact student access to the regular classroom and general curriculum.
The Task Force responded to numerous requests for comments on proposed rules, guidance documents, and requests for information including on mental health supports for students with disabilities, the Augustus Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program,

Apprenticeship Programs, and the Civil Rights Data Collection.

Three Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

The Task Force will monitor and proactively weigh in on bills related to higher education, career and technical education, workforce, school vouchers, and school climate; ensuring that legislation protects and promotes the civil rights and educational opportunities of students with disabilities.
The Task Force will develop recommendations and advocate for additional funding for all education programs and research that impacts students with disabilities, their families and their educators.
The Task Force will work to develop relationships and educate the Administration and House and Senate Committee leaders on the myriad issues affecting students with disabilities.

* Employment and Training Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Employment and Training Task Force deals with issues related to federal employment programs and policies affecting economic self-sufficiency and opportunity for people with disabilities.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

2025 Priority One – Continued engagement with the Department of Labor (DOL) around their “comprehensive review” of 14c

Discussed impact of “Chevron Case” on potential NPRM to be issued by DOL; attended House Committee on Education and the Workforce (Subcommittee on Workforce Protections) hearing on the work of the Wage and Hour Division at DOL; provided input to ODEP prior to issuance of the NPRM

2025 Priority Two – In anticipation of there not being much opportunity to move legislation in the upcoming year, focus on expanding relationships with key administrative offices & career professionals (example: Engage with newly confirmed Commissioner of RSA)

Established relationship with incoming RSA Commissioner Dante Allen

Engaged around Vocational Rehabilitation funding cuts; established a VR Funding Workgroup which continues to meet; this work is ongoing

2025 Priority Three – Enhanced engagement with Congressional Committees of jurisdiction (related to disability employment)

Engaged primarily with Senate HELP and House Education & Workforce around the following legislation: Transition to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, WIOA reauthorization

Other topics discussed/worked on:

In collaboration with LTSS TF: Expansion of Medicaid Buy-In

Artificial intelligence and potential impact (good and bad) on employment for people with disabilities

In collaboration with the Social Security TF: Social Security related barriers to employment

Three Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

2026-27 Priority One – Expanded Workforce Participation;
2026-27 Priority Two – Reducing Barriers to Employment (Impact on Federal employees with disabilities per DOGE recommendations to relocate federal employees and end remote/virtual work policy; transportation issues; SSDI/Asset limits, and other related employment barriers such as navigating potential new work requirements under Medicaid)
2026-27 Priority Three – Improved VR outcomes and adequate funding.

* Financial Security and Poverty Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Financial Security and Poverty Task Force works to promote public policy aimed at increasing the financial security of all individuals with disabilities and their families. Because of the disproportionate number of people with disabilities living in poverty, our task force also advocates for public policy that impacts people living in poverty, including the disproportionate number of people of color with disabilities living in poverty.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

Protecting and strengthening SNAP
Improvements to ABLE accounts
Other financial security issues for people with disabilities (ex. raising the SSI asset limit)

Three Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

Protecting and strengthening SNAP and other anti-poverty programs
Advocating for tax policies that advance financial security for people with disabilities (ex. CTC, EITC, ABLE Accounts)
Other financial security issues for people with disabilities (ex. raising the SSI asset limit)

* Health Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Health Task Force works to ensure access to high-quality, accessible, affordable health care for people with disabilities and complex conditions of all ages that meets their individual needs and enables them to be healthy, live as independently as possible, and participate in the community. We work to promote access to comprehensive coverage and eliminate discrimination, disparities and inequities for people with disabilities within and across health care payers, providers, and systems. We recognize that racist and ableist structures, policies and practices have caused and continue to cause disproportionately worse outcomes for Black, Indigenous and other people of color with disabilities. And just as race and disability discrimination intersect, social determinants of health and compounding inequities related to age, size, national origin, immigration status, language, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, can further reduce access to care and community for people with disabilities. Our advocacy prioritizes recognizing such inequities and championing policies that will reduce and eventually eliminate them.

Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

Protecting access to health care after the Public Health Emergency’s Medicaid continuous eligibility requirement phases out. Worked with LTSS TF in team to identify unwinding issues specific to unwinding. This included letters to CMS on disability-related eligibility issues.
Administrative advocacy to protect and advance access to health care services for people with disabilities in key federal health programs. Major comments and advocacy efforts include:
Ongoing advocacy with the Education TF highlighting problems with access to services outside school when schools bill services to Medicaid
Sign-on letters related to ESRD
Advanced the issue of disability data collection by co-planning a September convening of disability advocates with the Census Bureau and other administration representatives to kick off a longer stakeholder engagement process related to improving disability questions on federal surveys, including the American Community Survey

Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

Protect Medicaid and other critical Federal health care programs from structural legislative changes that undermine access to care for people with disabilities.
Engage in administrative advocacy to prevent the erosion of civil protections for people with disabilities and other protected classes related to health care.
Continue to address health equity concerns for people with disabilities (including disability data collection, stratified quality measure reporting)
Protect Medicare and access to benefits across the lifespan

* Housing Task Force

Task Force Mission Statement

The Housing Task Force works to ensure that all people with disabilities have safe, stable, accessible, affordable, integrated housing that enables people to live in communities of their choosing, with full access to home and community- based services and supports. Through federal policy advocacy, we work to counter the impacts of historic and continued racist, ableist, and audist (among other forms of oppressive) policies and practices that cause the extreme lack of housing affordability, accessibility, availability, inclusion, and quality. We also acknowledge that the burden of these impacts is often most acute for those who experience multiple forms of marginalization; therefore, the solutions must center those most impacted. The CCD Housing Task Force works with non- governmental entities, Congress, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and other agencies to address these inequities and advance the rights of and access for all disabled people to stable, safe, accessible and affordable housing in communities of their choosing.

The CCD Housing Task Force supports Housing First principles, and that community and in-home support services should always be person-centered and voluntary. Due to decades of grassroots advocacy as well as legal and policy mandates, it is critical that housing solutions for people with disabilities support full integration, where people with and without disabilities can live together in the communities of their choice, and where disabled people have the same access to all amenities as non-disabled people. That said, we also acknowledge that the preservation and cultivation of Disability and Deaf culture are paramount to how we understand the housing crisis and approach the variety of solutions needed.

For example, housing solutions need to account for the importance of peer socialization amongst Deaf people who use sign language because, without it, there is continued proof of language deprivation.

Three Issues Worked on in 2025-26

The Task Force successfully advocated for administrative changes via HUD guidance to increase utilization of Mainstream Vouchers for people with disabilities. These administrative changes have been long-time priorities of the Task Force. The updated guidance includes new requirements and optional waivers:
A mandatory expansion of the minimum initial search term from 60 to 120 days to give participants additional time to search for accessible housing that will accept their voucher. If a recipient cannot find housing within the first 120 days, PHAs are required to approve participants’ initial request for an extension and provide at least 90 additional days to search.
A prohibition on PHAs exercising a residency preference for Mainstream Voucher holders experiencing homelessness or residing in an institutional setting since they may reside outside the PHA’s jurisdiction.

The option for PHAs to adopt a separate waiting list for Mainstream Vouchers would make it easier to identify eligible applicants.

The option for PHAs to adopt admissions preferences for both the Mainstream Voucher and Housing Choice Voucher programs that prioritize direct referrals from health care and disability agencies that support community living, if the referral source is not serving people with one specific type of disability

After the guidance was released, the Task Force met with HUD to ensure that sufficient implementation plans were in place, including, but not limited to, HUUD releasing an FAQ and conducting education and outreach to the centers for independent living.

The Task Force helped enhance fair housing laws, regulations, guidance, and practices for people with disabilities and other protected classes within HUD. The Task Force submitted the following comments:

HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Program Updates and Streamlining

Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing

Changes to Methodology Used for Calculating Section 8 Income Limits Under the United States Housing Act of 1937

HUD 30-day notice requirement prior to lease terminations for nonpayment of rent

In December 2024, HUD released the final rule for HUD’s 30-day notice requirement prior to lease terminations for nonpayment of rent. Although its release was a success, HUD did not incorporate the Task Force recommendations regarding increasing effectiveness and access to reasonable accommodations.

The Task Force advocated for the highest funding levels for all federal housing assistance programs, with a particular focus on the programs that explicitly support extremely low and low-income adults with disabilities.

The requests were full funding for all renewals of the Mainstream Housing Voucher, Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA), and 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Contracts (PRACs) in addition to $100 million for new Mainstream vouchers and $500 million for new 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA). The Task Force also requested budgetary language that would reduce existing program barriers.

Anticipated Priorities in 2026-27

With a focus on people with disabilities and the Section 811 and Mainstream and Non-elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers, the Task Force will defend against the following threats to all housing programs:

Adding work requirements
Elimination of access to assistance for mixed-status families
Public Charge Rule
Rolling back fair housing protections
Defunding housing first approaches
Rollbacks to the Equal Access Rule
Increased efforts to institutionalize and segregate
The Task Force will advocate and defend congressional funding of all federal housing programs and take the lead on Section 811, Mainstream Vouchers, and NED vouchers. It will also increase its advocacy for funding HUD fair housing programs. Moreover, there will be congressional outreach efforts to identify new champions and strengthen existing ones.
The Task Force will defend against housing threats to people with disabilities of all ages in Executive Orders and other administrative actions.

* Long-Term Services and Supports Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Task Force addresses the services and supports that enable individuals with disabilities of all ages to live in their own homes and communities, known as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). HCBS, which are primarily provided through Medicaid, are necessary for community integration, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for many people with disabilities and older adults and make it possible for them to fully exercise their civil and human rights.

Commitment to Anti-Racism and Equity The CCD LTSS Task Force considers the equity impact of any administrative proposal we support, in accordance with the Task Force’s anti-racism principles and objectives. Data collection, analysis, and publicly transparent reporting are critical to monitoring and measuring access to HCBS for all individuals, including those living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. The Task Force federal agency priorities include:

Monitor Implementation of “Medical Frailty” and other exemptions to Medicaid work requirements and restrictions on the state’s ability to raise revenue and adequately fund HCBS.
Collaborate with CMS regarding implementation of 1915(c)(11) level of care waivers
Implement Regulations and Guidance to Improve HCBS Transparency and Access: Collaborate with HHS, states, and community partners to implement the finalized Medicaid Access Rule.
Promote Community Integration: Monitor guidance and waivers that would increase reliance on institutional placements and encourage CMS and HHS to support states to expand robust, fully integrated HCBS.
Increase Equity in Access to HCBS: Promote robust application of regulations and guidance that ensures LTSS is delivered in the most integrated setting, free from discrimination.
Workforce: Develop strategies to address workforce shortages in Medicaid HCBS programs.

The LTSS Task Force strives to inform policies and practices that impact Medicaid long-term services and supports.

* Rights Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement

The Rights Task Force advocates on a wide variety of matters involving the human and civil rights of individuals with disabilities through an equity lens. The Task Force’s vision is driven by a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, as well as the four key goals for people with disabilities set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self- sufficiency. Through our work, we are committed to assuring that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and other civil rights protections set forth in law and court decisions are interpreted and enforced in a robust manner to secure the equal rights and opportunities of people with disabilities who are Black, Brown, Indigenous, , LGBTQ+, and all other individuals with disabilities.

The Task Force is committed to advocating for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities with multiple statuses or who are multiply marginalized.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

Advocated with agencies to strengthen regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance and resources, in collaboration with our constituents, to promote implementation and enforcement of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, including in the contexts of accessible information and communication technology, effective communication, alternatives to guardianship, equal access to healthcare, community integration, parents with disabilities, voting, equal educational opportunities, AI and algorithmic bias, and agency transparency. Advanced public policy around increasing voter access and voting rights for people with disabilities.
Mobilized and supported federal legislation that will improve the lives of disabled people, such as the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, legislation eliminating Section 14(c) certificates and subminimum wages for people with disabilities, increased funding for home- and community-based services and diversion from institutions and the criminal legal system, legislation expanding access to health insurance and public benefits for immigrants, tax credits to promote access, and other measures with a reasonable likelihood of success.
Advanced public policy around people with disabilities and the criminal legal system, including in the areas of crisis response, home- and community-based services and supports, and diversion at each stage of the criminal process.

Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

Support federal legislation that will improve the integrated lives of disabled people and their families, such as legislation to mitigate or remove marriage penalties for people receiving federal and federally funded benefits, in collaboration with other Task Forces.
Defend and promote the enforcement of federal civil rights protections for people with disabilities in law, court decisions, administrative guidance, and regulation, as well as funding streams that require or allow people with disabilities to live in the community, in collaboration with other Task Forces.
Urge federal recognition that the impact of adult guardianship and conservatorship is a disability rights issue and promote less restrictive options, including Supported Decision-Making.

* Social Security Task Force

Brief Task Force Description

The Social Security Task Force focuses on disability policy issues in the Title II disability programs and the Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI and Title II cash benefits, along with the related Medicaid and Medicare benefits, are the means of survival for millions of individuals with severe disabilities. They rely on SSA to promptly and fairly adjudicate their applications for disability benefits and to manage many other actions critical to their well-being. The Social Security Task Force’s policy agenda focuses on:

Ensuring that the impact on people with disabilities is considered and their interests are protected in Social Security and SSI policy debates. Advocating that SSA’s administrative budget be adequately funded so that SSA has sufficient resources for personnel and service needs. Monitoring proposed changes to the disability claims process. Advocating for legislation, regulations, and policy changes to improve, simplify, and update the Social Security and SSI disability programs, including work incentives. Maximizing employment opportunities for current and future disability beneficiaries while also doing no harm to existing critical income supports.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

Ensuring adequate administrative funding (LAE) for the Social Security Administration.
Improving the SSI program through stand-alone legislation, reconciliation package, and regulator /sub regulatory changes.
Working with the newly confirmed Commissioner to improve customer service, reduce backlogs at all levels and implement IT modernization.

Three Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

Ensuring adequate administrative funding (LAE) for the Social Security Administration.
Improving the SSI program through legislation and regulatory/sub regulatory changes.
Protecting and improving the SSDI program.

* Technology and Telecommunications Task Force

Brief Task Force Description or Mission Statement: The Technology and Telecommunications Task Force deals with issues related to accessing telecommunications and assistive technology in education, employment, and independent living.

Three Issues the Task Force Worked on in 2025-26

Overall funding for Accessible Technology.
Full digital (including websites and other information and communications technology (ICT)) accessibility and ensure AI is fully accessible. The Task Force will work to advise and educate that accessibility is included in guidance, legislation and regulations. This includes working to promote the AT guidance the Department of Education is expected to release.
Educating Congress and the Administration on assistive technology and accessibility issues

Three Issues the Task Force Anticipates Working on in 2026-27

Sustain and promote federal investments in assistive technology, accessible telecommunication devices, and all federal supports of an accessible world in an effort to close the digital divide and promote digital inclusion.
Through integrated efforts with other CCD Task Forces, increase full digital accessibility (including websites and other information and communications technology (ICT)), including by supporting legislation such as the Section 508 Refresh Act, and ensure AI is fully accessible.
Educating Congress and the Administration on assistive technology and accessibility issues that include the economic value of these investments.

* Transportation Task Force

Task Force Mission Statement

The Transportation Task Force advocates for fully accessible transportation across all modes. Transportation should be affordable, equitable, sustainable, and reliable. People with disabilities should have the opportunity to travel independently and with needed accommodations. They should also be able to choose where and how they live in the community. The Task Force follows our Anti-Racism Principles agreed to in July 2021.

Click to access CCD-Transpo-TF-Racial-Equity-One-Pager.pdf

Three things we worked on in 2025

Rail – The Task Force continued to meet with Amtrak staff and leadership on a regular basis and continued to push for increased station accessibility. We are continuing talks with Amtrak staff on its long-distance fleet. Additionally, the cochairs filed comments on a Request for Information from the Federal Transit Administration on accessibility of public transportation stops and stations for individuals with disabilities.
Access to on-demand travel – The Task Force continued to push for accessible on-demand transportation, including autonomous vehicles and traditional rideshare. We also pushed for these companies to provide wheelchair accessible vehicles and for the mitigation of the issue of ride denials to individuals who travel with service animals.
Air travel – the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization passed in May of 2024. The Task Force both advocated for the accessibility provisions included in the legislation, and for the implementation of the items included. Items of interest for cochairs include the service dog attestation pilot program, the proposed accessibility improvements to airline websites and mobile applications, and increased access for wheelchair users and mobility device users.

Three issues the Task Force anticipates working on in 2026-27

Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act- The most recent round of surface transportation funding was folded into the larger Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed in 2021. That funding lasts until the end of the 2026 Fiscal Year, so the task force will be working to ensure that funding, especially programs for public transportation and accessible infrastructure, gets reauthorized at the highest possible funding level. There may be separate attempts to reauthorize other portions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that we would likely engage on as well.
Access to on-demand travel- The Task Force will continue to push for accessible on-demand transportation, including autonomous vehicles and traditional rideshare. We will continue to work with companies to ensure they provide wheelchair accessible vehicles without any undue time or cost burden to the rider, as well as ensuring that riders are protected in case of accessibility issues that stem from interaction with the driver as well.
Air Travel- The task force will continue to follow the implementation of the accessibility provisions included in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization. We will also be following the implementation of several final rules on air travel accessibility around topics like accessible restrooms and wheelchair protections and respond to any proposed changes to the Department of Transportation or related agencies.

A major accomplishment of these efforts was an action by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) covering the use of websites and mobile phone applications under the Americans With Disabilities Act Title II.

The DOJ Released the Advanced Copy of the Final Rule on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities On April 8th, 2024, to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for people with disabilities.

This was a goal of Access Ready since our inception and it has now been accomplished. We did not get everything we wanted; however, this is a great step forward.

Safeguarding these Federal rules has become difficult to manage because of the social/political circumstances post January 20, 2025.

Further it contracted its management and lead public policy communications and program management to a disability owned business.

Further it agreed to support its parent company Access Ready Inc in the development of the Granted.live employment and training project.

Granted.live is intended to be a recruiting, training and placement program designed to provide employment and business opportunities in the grant research, development, writing and administration field for people with as wide a range of disabilities as possible.

Marketed at realistic rates through Federal, state, local and private rehabilitation programs, the concept is to open this largely sedentary and technological profession to a population that is by its very nature largely sedentary and technological as well.

Utilizing money follows the person funding from rehabilitative programs to fund the training, technology and connectivity resources needed by Granted.live program candidates who can then engage in this industry that is lacking in qualified professionals.

Granted.live graduates can choose to seek direct wage employment or as independent consultants with the consumers of such services. They may enter the workforce at the lower end of pay scales allowing smaller entities to seek their assistance who are not able to go to the open market and meet the rates demanded by practiced professionals.

Over time with demonstrated success rates Granted.live graduates will be able to seek increasing rates of compensation.

This compensation may come from direct employment or through providing independent consulting services. The choice of how to render these services will provide Granted.live graduates options that will in able them to manage their income and their qualifications for vital public services and programs.

Applicants will need to meet minimum competency standards.

* Basic computer user skills,

* Basic adaptive technology software user skills, (such as JAWS, another screen reader or a roller ball mouse for individuals with dexterity limitations.)

* Basic writing skills,

* Basic online research skills.

An applicant will be provided with the tools to carry out their education process and then work-related tasks through the program as part of the tuition.

The application process will be online and structured as a basic grant type application which will give the applicant the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and program examiners the ability to judge their competency and any additional training that will be necessary during the program or before being accepted into the program.

Funding the Granted.Live program has become difficult to manage because of the social/political circumstances posted January 20, 2025.

Further it contracted its management and lead public policy communications and program management to a disability owned business.

Further it took internally its public policy development related to it’s overall mission and that of its parent advocacy organization Access Ready Inc. This included issues at the Federal, state and local levels outlined in the following Access Ready Statement of Values, Principles, Issues, And Concerns:

Access Ready Statement of Values, Principles, Issues, And Concerns

Statement of Values and Principles

Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation is an independent, cross-disability social purpose corporation promoting a policy of inclusion and accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT). Access Ready’s strategies include technical findings, policy discussions, best practices, and consulting efforts.

Access Ready asks the question, “If physical facilities in this country must be built in accordance with accessibility standards, why not information and communication technology?” Businesses, employers, and federal, state, and local governments are becoming more and more dependent on information and communication technology to provide goods and services. For people with disabilities, accessible information and communication technology is a necessity, not a luxury or a convenience, which fosters independence, economic self-sufficiency, and active, meaningful participation in civic life. As stated by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, “For people without disabilities, technology makes life easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes life possible. ”

Inaccessible information and communication technology presents a clear, growing, and present danger to the civic, economic, and social welfare of people with disabilities.

Statement of Issues and Concerns

The COVID-19 pandemic, the economic downturn and the inflation that followed placed the United States and the world into uncharted waters, including “stay at home orders,” self-isolation, social distancing, tremendous demands on the health care system, economic repercussions, virtual workplaces, and more. Accessible information and communication technology became an integral part of one’s existence in these pandemic times and for what is the foreseeable future. The pandemic changed our perception of normal.

The transformation into a remote, virtual world is difficult in the best of situations. However, it is even more challenging for the approximately sixty-one million adults in the United States living with a disability of some kind, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 26 percent of the population.

Over the years, the proliferation of information and communication technology has grown exponentially, largely in ways that are not accessible to individuals with disabilities and has locked out and discriminated especially against those with sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities. Inaccessible ICT has and is preventing people with disabilities from fully, independently, privately, and easily participating in:

Civic life, including electoral, legislative, governance and other opportunities available to their non-disabled peers;

Public and private educational opportunities available to their non-disabled peers;

Economic opportunities available to their non-disabled peers; and

Social opportunities available to their non-disabled peers.

In each of these four areas of concern, the provision of an accommodation is too often used as an excuse for not providing accessibility from the outset. Instead, what is needed is a commitment to “universal design,” i.e., design that is usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaption, specialized design, or reasonable accommodations; while still recognizing that some individuals with disabilities may still need a reasonable accommodation where necessary to meet their unique needs.

A lack of planning and requirements has led to the inaccessible status quo, which is only growing with each new inaccessible development in the field of ICT. The business, government, and nonprofit sectors of the community have largely failed to require accessibility in their purchasing and use of ICT, in many cases failing to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements. ICT developers have largely ignored accessibility concerns in their development, production, and marketing of most aspects of their products. Accessibility has been broadly deemphasized and ignored to the point that a niche accessible technology industry has developed to provide “band-aid” technologies at prices higher than universally accessible designs would likely reflect.

The COVID-19 pandemic that sent millions of participants in civic, economic, educational, and social life home to vote, work, learn, teach, and play has demonstrated and often exacerbated the true impact of inaccessible information and communication technology.

Many people with disabilities find that the systems being used successfully at home by their non-disabled peers do not provide them with the necessary access. This has prevented people with disabilities from:

Fully participating in the electoral process in a presidential election year;

Continuing their education and/or that of their children;

Working, shopping, and other forms of economic engagement from home; and participating socially with their non-disabled peers.

When working from home becomes difficult or impossible due to a lack of accessibility, people with disabilities have been laid off (through no fault of their own) only to find that a collapse of the largely inaccessible online unemployment system in their state prevents them from filing for benefits they have a right to obtain without undue hardship.

Receiving inaccessible communications from business, government, and nonprofit leaders has put the lives of many with disabilities in jeopardy and allowed the virus to spread. As the health care system relies more and more on telehealth and other virtual treatment options, people with disabilities are reminded how rarely accessible technology has been meaningfully adapted by hospitals, physician offices, and other facilities. While many at the staff level do what they can to assist their patients with disabilities, many medical administrators and hospital systems totally ignore accessibility concerns.

The widespread lack of accessible ICT, permeating nearly every aspect of society, presents a clear and present threat to the civic, economic, and social welfare of people with disabilities. To overcome this threat, it is necessary to undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of existing policies, practices, and procedures and pursue new approaches that hold employers; federal, state, and local governmental agencies; and businesses accountable for ensuring digital accessibility as a basic civil right for people with disabilities. These new approaches must include the following:

Standards. Adoption of accessibility and usability standards for ICT applicable to employers, state and local governments, and public accommodations comparable to the standards adopted by the Access Board in regulations implementing Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (and consistent with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG 2.1 A and AA) that apply to the topic areas addressed below.

Implementation strategies. Adoption of implementation strategies that hold covered entities accountable for designing, procuring, using, and/or maintaining ICT that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Examples of implementation strategies include:

Adopting accessibility policies and distributing (with sufficient explanation and education as appropriate) to all appropriate employees and contractors;

Designating and empowering a digital accessibility officer;
Providing meaningful training;
Including accessibility in performance metrics for employees and contractors who design, develop, procure, or maintain ICT;
Performing automated accessibility tests as well as (not instead of) testing by individuals with a range of disabilities;
Providing feedback mechanisms that route to those empowered to make improvements;
Requiring measures of compliance with and implementation of accessibility standards to be included in annual management audits;
Requiring certification (verification) of vendor accessibility claims by third parties with material experience and expertise in accessible ICT;
Establishing complaint resolution mechanisms that allow for personal complaints and anonymous complaints on behalf of a class;
Adopting enforcement strategies, including sanctions for non-compliance, private rights of action, and recovery of attorneys’ fees;
Offering incentives and tax credits; and
Developing grant programs for facilitating research and state-of-the-art systemic changes.

Internet or Cyber Space Presence. Clarification that any employer, state or local government, or public accommodation (including an owner or operator of a website, mobile application, or online system offering goods, services, or information and data to the public, whether or not such owner or operator also owns or operates a physical local offering the same or similar goods, services, or information or data) must make their website, mobile application, or online system accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities in accordance with applicable accessibility and usability standards.

Applicable Commercial and Consumer Information and Communication Technologies. All commercial and consumer products and services utilizing ICT (including both hardware and software) must meet accessibility and usability standards. This includes any device, appliance, or future product utilized by commercial entities or individual consumers, encompassing both provider- and user-facing systems. Applicable categories of ICT include, but are not limited to:

Communications Utilizing ICT. All one-way and two-way telecommunications, Internet-based communications, digital broadcasts, satellite communications, cable delivery systems and any future development of technologies that is to be used in commercial and consumer communications. This also includes all software and hardware used in the delivery of such communications and the content developed to be made available over such systems.

This content requirement should cover movies, television, audio-visual communications, emergency broadcasts, and supporting advertising (including promotions, such as contests, requiring the participation of the public). All such programming must make available sign language interpreting and captioning as well as audio description of all program elements.

Point of Sale ICT. All point-of-sale digital information technology used for financial transactions of all kinds, whether retail, wholesale, banking, or investment at a physical location or online through website-based or future technological developed services, such as credit card readers and inventory management systems. This includes seller-facing ICT as well as consumer-facing.

Educational Systems and ICT. All software and hardware utilized in public and private education at all levels, such as remote learning software and online assignment/grading systems.

Health Care ICT. All software and hardware utilized in public and private health care at all levels, such as telehealth/remote visit technology and patient portals.

Banking and Finance ICT. All software and hardware utilized in public and private banking and finance at all levels, such as mobile banking and investment applications and online consumer account systems.

Digital Information Technology Security and Exemptions. The accessibility of digital information technology must not be sacrificed unless it would result in undue hardship, including creating actual security problems that cannot be ameliorated. If such systems cannot be made both accessible to and usable by people with disabilities and secure, then accommodations must be made for people with disabilities. Such accommodations must provide the same level of service as is provided to others accessing the secure system. Personal information collected through the accommodation pathway must be secured in ways not unlike that protected by the secure system, with appropriately tiered levels of protection for especially sensitive information, such as passwords, financial data, and personally identifiable information including health data. No digital information technology system utilized by the business, local/state government or nonprofit sectors may be exempt unless sufficient cause can be shown that providing accessibility would impact the usability, security, or effectiveness of the system. Such an exemption could be sought through an application process established and administered jointly by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the United States Access Board.

Further it contracted its management and lead public policy and lobbying communications and program management to a disability owned business.

(B) Any circumstances that hindered the pursuit of such purposes.

(B) Report – The COVID-19 pandemic recovery, the economic downturn and subsequent inflation slowed progress, however in the long run the need for everyone to live, work, play and learn from home will work to the advantage of Access Ready’s mission and social purpose.

It was only hindered by the normal restrictions related to the pandemic, following economic downturn and inflation that effected many businesses large and small across the United States.

These frustrating circumstances have been magnified because of the social/political circumstances post January 20, 2025.

The sweeping changes being contemplated and in some cases enacted by Federal departments are putting Access Ready Strategics’ social purpose in jeopardy.

With its compatriot organizations, it is making efforts to mitigate the damage being done.

It is also tracking efforts with an eye toward reconstituting the programs and rights currently under threat once circumstances provide an opening.

(C) Whether the directors and officers complied with Part II, Social Purpose Corporations statutes set forth in Section 607. 501 et seq.

(C) Report – The directors and officers did comply with Part II, Social Purpose Corporations statutes set forth in Section 607. 501 et seq.

(D) Report – The social purpose corporation or its directors or officers did not fail to comply with paragraph (A) or . 607.507(1) or . 607.509(1).

Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – September 3, 2026
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – July 1, 2025
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – July 1, 2024
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – September 20, 2023
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – July 1, 2022
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – August 2, 2021
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Access Ready Strategic Social Benefit Report – September 3, 2020
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