By Catherine Citta, JPKF Public Policy Fellow
The Biden-Harris Administration hosts state, local, Tribal and community leaders to the White House “Communities in Action” events to demonstrate how the administration is delivering results for the American people. In November 2023, Julianne Horntvedt, Executive Director for the North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities was invited to the Communities in Action: Building A Better North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska event at the White House. Ms. Horntvedt was able to share how future directions and the intersection of disability regarding impacts of the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act.
In addition to discussing needs for infrastructure, North Dakota shared about the DD Council and the statewide advocacy group, the North Dakota Disability Advocacy Consortium. The consortium is made up of 18 agencies and organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. Ms. Horntvedt shares, “To make a statewide impact, I think it’s important for our Council and this group to be looking at ways we can help the infrastructure money be used in our state, specifically around the high-speed internet access in rural areas, access to rural hospitals and healthcare, and improving our transportation systems statewide to include transit systems. As a collaborative effort and with all our stakeholders in ND, advocating for these dollars is really important to improve the lives of North Dakotans with disabilities.
Other attendees at the event included the Centers for Independent Living, AARP, North Dakota United, USDA, legislators, the Mayor of Fargo, ND, the YWCA, and others. State representatives were able to meet with staff from the Biden-Harris Administration and talk about the infrastructure bill, the future of North Dakota, projects, dreams for improvements, and how the state can continue to do better. Representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities, Ms. Horntvedt was able to bring disability to these discussions.
Ms. Horntvedt shares from the attending the event, “It was great to be at the table with other advocates, legislators, non-profit leaders, local/government leaders from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska to discuss the future of the infrastructure bill and how we can support and advance impact in our respective states. I really appreciated hearing from Administration members concerning healthcare, clean water, locally grown food, energy, and transportation. All these areas are so important for leading inclusive and healthy lives for people with disabilities.”
NACDD is proud to work with the White House to amplify the work of the DD Councils for the Communities in Action series. We look forward to sharing additional information.
To read more about the event, please see the White House Press Release at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/11/17/communities-in-action-building-a-better-north-dakota-south-dakota-and-nebraska/
