NYS Division of the Budget Hearing

Saturday afternoon, November 17, 2007, committee members of the New York State Division of the Budget held a hearing to get ideas from the public on what the Governor’s budget should look like. The hearing was held in a lecture hall at the Kornberg Medical Research Building on the University of Rochester campus. Diverse local organizations and community minded individuals gathered to give suggestions and testimonies. Over 40 staff, volunteers, and consumers from Center for Disability Rights (CDR), Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL), and ADAPT attended the hearing.

Speakers for RCIL, CDR, and ADAPT included Bruce Darling, Chris Hilderbrant, Anita Cameron, Charles Smith, and Pamela Taggart. All spoke on the importance of not cutting funding for people with disabilities. Anita Cameron made an excellent point that resonated the feelings of many by saying, “Do not cut funding for personal care. We as people with disabilities and seniors want, and deserve to live in, and to be a part of our communities. Cutting services could relegate many of us into an institutional setting, costing the state more money, and perpetuating the institutional bias that has held so many captive.”

Other speakers echoed those sentiments. Charles Smith used a personal example saying, “I need my aids in order to live within the community and if you cut down aid hours that’s just like telling me that perhaps my aid won’t be there if my water bottle is empty and I am thirsty. Cutting down on aid hours means putting us in a defenseless position if we are not able to meet our needs on our own.”

Pamela Taggart gave a simple statement about cost effectiveness, “Those of us with disabilities would rather stay in our own homes. It doesn’t cost as much money to live at home. If the state of NY spent it’s money more wisely we can stay in our own homes.”

Bruce Darling shed light on the fact the hearing was poorly accessible to people with disabilities. Bruce pointed out that when this type of “access” is provided, it sends the message that people with disabilities are unwelcome, and are seen as being in the way of progress. Bruce then offered to send the committee some information on access, and Paul Francis, the committee chair, stated that he would be happy to receive the information. Hopefully, better accessibility will be highly considered for future hearings.

Special thanks to all that were able to attend. Presence, support, feedback, and the continual pursuit of progress will make great strides in enabling those with disabilities.