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  1. Monica Mitchell

    I vote Yes!  

    Suggested by Monica Mitchell on 03/18/2009 @ 12:43PM PT

  2. E P

    Home and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities need to be included as medicaid/medicare services.  Aren't home "health care" services part of medicaid/medicare services when someone has a medical condition?  Why not expand that to include people with developmental disabilities?  There is already precedent in NYS and other state law for prohibiting denial of insurance benefits based upon a diagnosis of a developmental disability (autism, etc.).  Why not expand that language to medicaid/medicare to get home/community based services?

    Suggested by E P on 03/18/2009 @ 06:46AM PT

  3. Colleen Tomko

    First things first, and in this case it should be "people first". Starting with people first language.

    This topic should be about "PEOPLE with developmental disabilities", NOT "the" "developmentally disabled". They are first and foremost people like everyone else, and should be referred to as such. 

    The further the move is away from categorizing people by only disability labels, then the closer others may be to seeing everyone as unique human beings, and perhaps there could be some greater understanding created. 

    Disability is "one" characteristic and it doesn't define a whole person. People have developmental disabilities. They are not simply the developmentally disabled.

    Words affects actions and actions are reflected words, and the cycle goes round and round. If you see people as people first, then they should be referred to as such.

    Suggested by Colleen Tomko on 03/17/2009 @ 08:05PM PT

  4. Kay Marcel

    If Congress, or the new Administration, would remove the "institutional bias" from the Medicaid program by making home and community-based services either an entitlement or an optional service states would not be able to maintain waiting list for these much needed and cost-effective services.  Only waiver programs under Medicaid allow states to keep a waiting list.  Services that are considered entitlements or optional MUST be made available to ALL eligibles.  So I suggest a national advocacy effort to urge Congress, or the Administration, to make this long needed changes.  Home and community-based services are no longer a test or "pilot"; they are proven effective and cost efficient.  Anyone have ideas for a Congress person who might sponsor such legislation?  Or perhaps advocacy efforts should be directed at the new Administration to issue a new rule calling for this change?

    Suggested by Kay Marcel on 03/17/2009 @ 02:49PM PT

  5. Tyger Schonholzer

    I submitted a similar idea, but mine did not get enough votes. When a child turns 21, the funding suddenly drops, although the child remains just as dependent as the day before his/her 21st birthday. We must continue to support parents with caregivers, so they don't have to give up careers to stay at home on welfare to take care of their adult disabled children!

    Suggested by Tyger Schonholzer on 01/30/2009 @ 05:54AM PT

  6. Colleen Tomko

    How can this issue/cause be so buried on Change.org, but yet there be an "Autism"cause in the front?  Why isn't there a disability rights cause up front? I think one reason this didn't get even greater votes was because it was hard to find. This is a global issue that affects every person with significant needs, its not unique to one "label". So how can we get Change.org to make a "cause" in the front section of Change.org that addresses all the needs of all people with disabilities, that would include autism, but would not exclude others?

    Suggested by Colleen Tomko on 01/24/2009 @ 09:14AM PT

  7. Norma Fleming-Super

    I have a 26 year old developmentally disabled daughter. When I moved from CO to TN for employment reasons, she went to the bottom of a 3000 person wait list. Via a class action suite, 50 individuals are being removed per year!!! My daughter is now in PA living with her father as they do not have a wait list and I must work! She is privately insured and only needed services such as the Workshop while I worked. I was required to pay $1000 per month for her to work. Please help this vulnerable population and those of us who love them.

    Suggested by Norma Fleming-Super on 01/24/2009 @ 07:00AM PT

  8. Timothy Mills

    This is a critical first step Vote yes!

    Suggested by Timothy Mills on 01/18/2009 @ 06:33AM PT

  9. Kyra Echols

    A Legislative Vote for Fully Funded Wavers is the FIRST STEP in realizing independence not only for those who are personally affected by disability but also those immediate family members and other loved ones; who either care for, or carry concerns for their loved ones; who have disabilities.  There is a GREAT CALL upon this NATION to set an example...MODEL THE WAY for the rest of our world... Not only in word but in DEED...SHOWING them that here, in America, EVERY man, woman and child is free to pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness.  That Here, the idea that ALL MEN are created equal is not just a collection of hollow words written long ago by forgotten men... but it is TRUELY what AMERICA stands for.  That just as liberty stands at our gates whispering the distant credo:
    " Give me your tired, your poor,...Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"  That in THIS, our GREAT Land...WE revive those... grown weary of the status quot.  That we are receptive to CHANGE. That WE, those who face these challenges, band TOGETHER as ONE VOICE and work TOGETHER toward common goals; in order that what we see through the eyes of our hearts and imaginations; can become what history is made of.  We must strive to unite every stakeholder, have conversations and CHANGE minds, hearts and perceptions once and for all.  
     

    Suggested by Kyra Echols on 01/18/2009 @ 05:30AM PT

  10. Lisa Okpara

    This is a great idea, leaves people with disablities less vulnerable in states where people with disablities don't seem to matter to those designing state budgets.  Ex. Minnesota which used to be a good environment for people depending on services but Tim Pawlenty wants to give tax cuts to the wealthy and slash human service budgets.  His plan would bring only crisis and job loss.  Some people will never loss faith is the trickle down theory, but fully funding waivers would take the power out of their hands.

    Suggested by Lisa Okpara on 01/17/2009 @ 08:23PM PT

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