News
End Colorado's Wait List for
People with Developmental Disabilities NOW
Fast Facts
www.Endcoloradowaitlist.org
Real People in Real Need:
Currently, more than 12,000 children and adults who have developmental disabilities -- such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or Mental Retardation -- are on waiting lists for lifelong care and support. There are more people who need care than currently receive services.
Thousands of people have been waiting more than 15 years. Many of them, through no fault of their own , need help to eat, dress, bathe or use the bathroom. Others need constant guidance and supervision because of major medical issues, lack of basic life and safety skills, or because family caregivers can no longer provide care due to age, illness, or death. Still others are young children with autism who cannot access early intervention services that are so desperately needed and proven to be effective.
Among the 12,000 people in need of critical services, you will find Cindy, a 24-year-old with Down Syndrome, who could be working at her local grocery store if she were not waiting for vocational services. Sam is a 4-year-old with Autism and multiple physical disabilities, who could learn to walk, talk, feed himself, and play with other children if he wasn't on the bottom of the list for speech and physical therapy. Russell is a 63-year-old man with Mental Retardation who still lives with his 85-year-old mother . His mom put him on the waiting list more than15 years ago. Due to her age and failing health, she worries constantly about who will care for Russell when she dies.
No Government Safety Net:
Most Americans agree that government has some basic responsibilities to our most vulnerable citizens, and one of those is to help people who cannot help themselves. For people with developmental disabilities and their families, there is absolutely no safety net , or back up options for the vital services they need, such as 24/7 supervision, help with daily tasks, a place to live, job training or nursing services.
The state does not provide nearly enough short or long term care to cover the needs of families with nowhere else to go. Colorado falls behind Alabama, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Nevada for support of children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, and other developmental disabilities.
Small Price to Help:
Solving this urgent problem is critically needed and long overdue. With new funding, we can immediately provide a safety net for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Raising taxes is never easy, but the state budget is so tight there is no other way to provide the critical services so desperately needed.
Our proposed ballot measure will help thousands of people with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Mental Retardation, through a modest, phased-in sales tax of 2 pennies on $10. It simply translates into an additional 3 cents on a $15 lunch for two or 12 cents on a $60 pair of shoes. Gas, groceries, medicine, and utilities remain exempt from the state sales tax.
The money goes directly towards services that families need now and in the future. Two pennies on ten dollars is a small price to pay to provide vital services for children and adults who, thorough no fault of their own, face tremendous burdens every day just getting by.
Sign a petition, tell a friend, vote yes!
For more information, contact Marijo Rymer, Arc of Colorado, 303.864.9334, mrymer@thearcofco.org ;
Donations can be sent to EWL, c/o Arc of Colorado, 1580 Logan, Ste 730, Denver, CO 80203
Other News Items Include:
|
