DISABILITY ADVOCACY · STATE + FEDERAL

More independence.
Fewer barriers.

Choose the change you want to see. Learn who can act, make the message your own and take it to the people who represent you.

Find my next stepAsk for a policy changeExplore five issues ↓

START WITH YOUR SITUATION

What is getting in your way?

Choose your state, then a problem. Get a starting contact, questions to ask and a message you can edit. No military service is required.

Every state and D.C. has at least one state law note, plus federal information. Topics we have not researched yet are labeled in your result. Your state choice also sets up the message builder below.

My wheelchair or scooter is brokenAsk about repair timing and temporary equipment. Coverage or equipment was deniedFind the decision and appeal instructions to check. I need to make my home accessibleExplore modification programs and application steps. I cannot get an accessible rideAsk about service or prepare a transit complaint inquiry. I need support to live at homeFind service, assessment and community-support routes. I was turned away from a public placeSee your state’s equal-access law and complaint routes. I want a law or policy to changeChoose an issue and ask your state or federal lawmakers.

Not sure where to start? Use the step-by-step finder. For local programs and contacts, open the resource guide.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

MIF designs open-source mobility equipment that people can repair, adapt and improve, including the Endurance power chair and the RozRover for children, and it speaks up for users’ right to repair. MIF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

If you would like to support that work, you can donate to MIF.

Repair & adapt equipment

Read MIF’s mission (new tab)

  1. 1. Choose your request
  2. 2. Make it yours
  3. 3. Take it to your lawmakers

YOUR WORDS. YOUR CHOICE.

1. Choose your request

No military service is required. You can speak for yourself or describe a concern as a family member, caregiver or neighbor.

State lawmakers handle state laws and programs such as Medicaid. Congress handles federal laws and programs such as Medicare. You can write separate messages to both.

Use only details you want to share. Keep medical records and claim numbers out of the message.

Changing these choices keeps your current message. Choose Build message to replace it.

2. Make it yours

Current draft: Repair and adapt equipment · Ohio state lawmakers · Short message.

3. Contact your lawmakers

For this Ohio policy request, use your state senator and state representative. Ask the office to explain its role and direct agency questions to the responsible program.

Find your Ohio senator (new tab) · Find your Ohio representative (new tab)
  1. Copy your message, then open the official contact link.
  2. Choose your lawmaker. Paste the subject and message into their form and add the details their office requests.
  3. Review and send on the official site. Keep any confirmation and note when you want to follow up.

You can also use the message for a phone call, relay call or printed letter. Choose the method that works for you.

Contact lookups open official sites. Enter your address there to identify your district. This page does not look up your address, send messages or save your text. Edits last only while the page is open.

Help someone else speak up

Share a link to your selected topic and lawmaker level. Your experience and message stay out of the link.

START WITH WHAT MATTERS TO YOU

Five ways to speak up

Background explains the source. Proposed requests are changes you may ask for, not promises of current coverage or approval.

Parts, tools and repair choice

Repair and adapt equipment

The Mobility Independence Foundation (MIF) promotes open-source mobility designs that users and technicians can repair, adapt and improve. This is an advocacy goal, not a statement that every device already has a legal right to repair.

Policy requests and sources

Proposed state request

Support practical policies in your state that give mobility-equipment users and qualified technicians timely access to parts, repair information and diagnostic tools, with appropriate safeguards. Include users in decisions about repair, adaptation and reuse.

Proposed federal request

Support federal policies that improve timely access to mobility-equipment parts, repair information and diagnostic tools. Include equipment users in decisions about repair, adaptation and reuse.

Find repair campaigns and share your repair story.

Write about this

Coverage, approvals and repairs

Get usable mobility equipment

Medicare Part B covers wheelchairs and scooters when its requirements are met. Power devices require medical necessity, an examination and a prescription. Medicare rules are separate from each state’s Medicaid rules.

Policy requests and sources

Proposed state request

Improve Medicaid access in your state to medically necessary mobility equipment and repairs. Ask for transparent authorization timelines, understandable denial notices, clear appeal routes and a workable plan when essential equipment is unusable.

Proposed federal request

Improve Medicare access to medically necessary mobility equipment and repairs. Ask for transparent authorization timelines, understandable denial notices, clear appeal routes and a workable plan when essential equipment is unusable.

Find accessibility and equipment referral resources.

Write about this

Ramps, entrances and modifications

Make home accessible

State programs can pay for home changes. In Ohio, for example, Home Care Waiver rules list home modification among covered services. A listing does not establish an individual’s eligibility or approval. Housing accessibility also involves different federal laws, depending on the housing and situation.

Policy requests and sources

Proposed state request

Improve access to home-modification programs in your state, including clear application steps, timely assessments and coordination before discharge. Help people find the right funding route for ramps, entrances and accessible bathrooms.

Proposed federal request

Support accessible housing and home-modification funding that helps people remain at home. Improve coordination across housing and disability programs so people can find an appropriate application route.

Find home accessibility programs and preparation checklists.

Write about this

Accessible transit and reliable rides

Travel and participate

FTA publishes guidance on wheelchair access, paratransit and other ADA transportation duties. It also accepts public-transit discrimination complaints and encourages people to first contact the transit provider.

Policy requests and sources

Proposed state request

Support reliable accessible transportation in your state, including rural service, usable stops and clear paratransit application information. Ask transit agencies to involve riders with disabilities in planning and publish accessible complaint routes.

Proposed federal request

Support reliable accessible public transportation and oversight of disability access requirements. Include riders with disabilities in planning and improve access to clear paratransit information and complaint routes.

Read the official public-transit complaint process.

Write about this

Personal assistance and daily support

Choose community living

DOJ explains that the ADA’s integration mandate can apply to people in institutions and people at serious risk of institutionalization. Services and eligibility depend on the individual situation; a policy letter is not a service application.

Policy requests and sources

Proposed state request

Strengthen home- and community-based services, personal assistance and transition coordination in your state. Include people with disabilities in planning, improve continuity of support and make program information and participation accessible.

Proposed federal request

Strengthen home- and community-based services and community integration. Support a stable personal-assistance workforce, continuity of support and meaningful participation by people with disabilities in program decisions.

Find care, home support and independent-living referrals.

Write about this

Need a service, appeal or complaint route?

A policy letter asks for change. A benefits application, insurance appeal or discrimination complaint follows its own process. Use the program’s official instructions for your situation.

Equipment and home access helpCare and community support