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Disabled Hurt Most By Budget Cutbacks
The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: 9A
Saturday, September 25, 2004
DEAR EDITOR: DANE COUNTY PROPOSES ANOTHER 1 PERCENT CUT TO PROVIDERS OF SERVICE TO THE MOST VULNERABLE SECTOR OF THE POPULATION IN DANE COUNTY, INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO CUTBACKS IN FUNDING OF 4.64 PERCENT FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.The services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Dane County will be diminished again unless there is a restoration of funding.
The expectation by Dane County that service providers continue to offer services at the same level in 2005 with an additional 1 percent cut in funding is unrealistic at best.
Over the past 11 years Dane County has offered on average a cost of living adjustment less than inflation. The impact on services has been devastating.
The tragedy of all this is that people with developmental disabilities are affected the most.
Services that they deserve are not going to be available because there will not be sufficient staff or funding to provide them.
People with developmental disabilities deserve to have a productive and happy life. They do not have many options that they can pursue to improve their lives.
Residential providers and day service providers offer some avenues for them, which enable them to live a happier and more independent life.
It is time to consider the needs of these people first for a change.
Bob Halford director MARC-Mount Horeb
