Budget Cuts Endanger People With Disabilities

posted on Feb 18 by Stacy in the Disability News category

For Americans with disabilities who are unable to survive without government assistance, the economic crisis we are facing is devastating. Even though the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been very supportive of those and are being forced to rely on charity instead of relying on a paycheck.

The commonwealth’s FY 2011 budget, as recommended by Gov. Deval Patrick, contains especially tragic consequences for people with developmental disabilities.
Cuts for people with developmental disabilities include:

- 300 people losing their homes and residential supports;

- 35 group homes being shuttered;

- 450 people losing their jobs and employment training;

- 1,000 families losing individual, family and respite services;

- 400 families losing minimal help for their disabled child to keep the child in the home and out of a costly out-of-home placement.

When the state’s revenue collapse threatened to cut millions from disabilities programs last fall, hundreds of families participated in a “Vigil to Save the Safety Net.” Loved ones with disabilities were brought to the waiting room of the governors office so they could personally ask the governor to protect crucial services. Involved were a number of elderly parents who were terrified of what would happen to their disabled children.

“In the next two months, the Legislature and the governor will determine where disabled people cut off from services will go. Let’s hope compassion reigns and these programs are restored.”

Blumenthal: Budget crisis threatens people with disabilities - Waltham, MA - The Daily News Tribune