Pennsylvania Causing Harm to Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Stop Budget Cuts - End Waiting Lists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 15, 2010 -- The state of Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell and Harriet Dichter secretary of Public Welfare are ensuring that more adults with developmental disabilities end up with NO supports, NO safety nets and NO protective services as the already 18,013 on waiting lists. There is such a lack of concern for our citizens with developmental disabilities that 17.3 million dollars budgeted for services are proposed to be cut!

The proposed cuts and growing waiting list makes it appear that the goal of Pennsylvania is to increase isolation, abuse, neglect and loss of skills for adults with developmental disabilities; to deprive people of having even basic needs met; and to destroy any hope of achieving the desirable outcomes planned during transition from school. The lack of community and protective services all but guarantees the likelihood of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Students transitioning to adult life from years of services, including Early Intervention and Special Education, will end up sitting at home with NOTHING! Over 700 students this year alone, many who are accustomed to being included and participating in their community with supports, will suddenly be neglected by the state and left out of life.

What can you do? Tell your legislator the cuts and waiting list are cruel, we can’t afford to have people sit at home with nothing or forced into extremely costly institutional settings. Ask them to support funding for “Community- based waivers” that support individuals and families in their communities.

SIGN THE PETITION! To End Pa Waiting List for Community Services
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/EndPAWaitingList

Updates: http://www.kidstogether.org/pabudget.htm

Facebook Group: "Oppose Pa budget cuts causing isolation and life threatening situations"

budget     community     disabilities     pennsylvania     petition