English
On the 20th anniversary of the passage of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act, UDW has sharply criticized Gov. Schwarzenegger for his proposals to slash IHSS and other programs for the disabled.
“As we mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this week, California should be leading the way in implementing this historic civil rights breakthrough for people with disabilities,” said Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director.
“We should be working to eliminate barriers in employment, transportation, education and other areas that prevent the disabled from living independently and productively.
“Sadly, thanks to Gov. Schwarzenegger, we are doing just the opposite. Again and again, the governor has proposed cutting or eliminating important programs and services–such as IHSS–that provide people with disabilities with the opportunity to participate productively in their communities.
“His proposals are morally wrong and fiscally counterproductive. What is worse–as the courts have determined over and over again–many of them clearly violate the ADA and other federal and state laws and regulations.
“This week, the governor issued a proclamation recognizing ADA, his first since 2007. Sadly, his words of support do not outweigh his hostile actions.
“UDW will continue to stand with California’s disability community in its fight for equality and opportunity,” Moore said.
Governor please forgive me but you are a hypocrite. While it is nice that you are finally acknowledging the 21 years of the ADA, at the same time you are scaring thousands of disabled who are threatened by possible termination of IHSS services. As a matter of fact most if not all of those clients have been served by the heroic efforts of the ADA. IHSS is result of hard working, loving, caregivers who literally do a quiet, thankless job everyday. When I realize how far we have come and how many lives IHSS has changed it makes me proud to be a part of it. Little did I know when my girl was diagnosed that something wonderfully positive would come out of it. …Please Mr. Governor…the ADA is not the only breakthrough that has happened in the last 20+ years…don’t forget about the worker bees in the trenches…IHSS and ADA go hand in hand….we all make lives worth living.