Kansas City Star, Letter to the Editor, 10.27.09

Thought I'd share an editorial that was printed in the KC Star on Oct. 27th:


Waiting list too long
I believe that experience is the best teacher, so the Star article on peer tutors and special needs students caught my interest (10/17, Johnson County Neighborhood News).
When you spend time with folks with developmental disabilities (DD), you often get back much more than you give. I’m encouraged that students take advantage of this opportunity. Unfortunately, I’d like to share the rest of the story.
Kansas maintains a list of more than 4,100 individuals waiting for DD funding. Many special needs graduates are on this waiting list.
After graduation, young people look forward to starting new chapter in life. But many young adults with special needs simply “graduate to their living rooms,” unable to access funding required for day service programs. Stuck at home, they quickly lose the skills their teachers and tutors have spent years teaching them. A few may get jobs, but often folks with DD are the last hired and the first to go.
Schools should continue their wonderful efforts. The Kansas legislature should fund the DD waiting list. The “rest of the story” should have a happy ending.
Lurena Mead
Johnson County
Developmental Supports
community relations manager
Overland Park

The 2009 legislative session yielded a $5.6 million cut to developmental disability (DD) funding resulting in a loss of services to over 2,000 people statewide. Yesterday, I spoke with five families from Johnson County who lost their funding after these cuts. As one mother put it "it is the wrong way for the state to save money".

Tom Laing, Director of InterHab, an advocacy organization representing DD agencies statewide said that if 4,100 children were on a waiting list for kindergarten, legislators would hear about it and take action immediately. My question is, why is it acceptable for 4,100 individuals in need of developmental disability funding remain waiting for services?

The state has been talking about more cuts for this next session. We can't allow that to happen. I encourage folks to write their legislators and ask to replace the funding lost last session as well as take positive action to eliminate this 15 year old waiting list.

Now is the time to take action!

KC Star article "A Theology of Disability"

The Kansas City Star has a great article about how aiding those with disabilities is a spiritual act. Click on the link to read the column!
http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/1504700.html

Fox 4 features JCDS and Oral Health on Wheels

Below is a link to the wonderful Fox4 feature highlighting JCDS’ partnership with Oral Health On Wheels (OHOW). OHOW is a mobile dental unit that is introducing dental hygiene students to clients with developmental disabilities. OHOW will be honored tomorrow by InterHab (our statewide advocacy association) with a 2009 Inclusive Communities Award to be presented at their Annual Conference in Wichita.

http://www.fox4kc.com/lifestyle/health/wdaf-oral-health-wheels-100709,0,43831.story

Campaign for Disability Employment

October is National Disability Employment Month. Workers with disabilities offer many "positives" to the workplace. The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize those "positives".http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_W7wAe1kw

Cerebral Palsy and Robots

Technology is an amazing thing. Children with cerebral palsy are learning to walk with the assistance of a robot! Who'd have ever guessed...?http://www.wftv.com/health/21113599/detail.html

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Photo, from left: Mary Beth DeCock, Steven DeCock, JCDS's Lurena Mead and BOCC Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and a Johnson County resident and her son, who is on the waiting list for DD (developmental disability) services, were on hand to accept a proclamation from the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners this morning.