Disability Advocates Rally to Support Programs

Coalition Represents More Than 70 Organizations

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 4, 2007 - People with physical and sensory disabilities from across Pennsylvania today rallied at the state Capitol to demonstrate support for programs and services that enable people to stay in or return to their homes and communities.  The Disability Budget Coalition (DBC), which represents more than 70 disability-related organizations in the state, organized the event and distributed its 2007-08 DBC Agenda to the Legislature.   

“The Governor’s budget proposal would continue the progress Pennsylvania has made in recent years to invest in Home and Community-Based programs which improve access to services and create greater independence for people with physical and sensory disabilities,” said Linda Anthony Disability Budget Coalition spokesperson.

The Governor’s proposal would make investments to serve nearly 600 additional people in the Attendant Care program, which assists people with disabilities in performing daily living activities.  The Services for Persons with Physical Disabilities (CSPPPD), which provides services to people with severe developmental physical disabilities, would be expanded to serve an additional 400 people. 

“We strongly support the proposed increases in attendant care and CSPPPD as a way of getting people out of nursing homes and keeping them out,” said Anthony.  “Pennsylvania is making great advances in supports and services that assist people with disabilities to work, raise their children, attend worship services and stay in their communities.  Without these programs, many people would be forced to live for decades in an institution, rather than remaining active in their own homes and community.” 

The Disability Budget Coalition is deeply concerned about funding for two important programs.  The DBC urges the General Assembly to correct the proposed $450,000 funding cut (a reduction from $2,250,000 in 2006-07 budget to $1.8 million) for the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) by providing $2,817,500.  This would maintain level funding for the 9 state-funded CILs, create a 3 percent cola and create two addition CILs for underserved counties.

"CILs are making the dream of independent living a reality for thousands of Pennsylvanians with disabilities and are an excellent investment in state dollars,” said Barbara Orstein, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living. 

“CILs assist nearly 10,000 people annually to transition out of nursing homes and into less expensive community-based services, live as vital members of the community and gain access to employment.  It is important the budget adequately funds this investment.”

The DBC encourages the Legislature to complete the expansion of the Persons with Disabilities Rural Shared-Ride Transportation Program to the remaining 16-unserved counties by providing an additional $2.75 million.  The administration’s budget would level fund the program at $4.8 million, without expanding the program beyond the 49 counties with the program. 

“This highly successful program is designed to meet the employment, health care and quality of life needs of Pennsylvanians with disabilities in all counties,” said Matt Seeley, Policy Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council.  He spoke on behalf of John Tassone, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Transportation Alliance.  “This is a matter of equity for those living in the 16 counties without the program.  They should have the same access to go to work, visit their doctor or go shopping as those in the 49 counties with the program.

“We believe the $2.75 million, a relatively small amount for the state, should be provided separately from the larger public transportation funding issue.”

Funding for the Persons with Disabilities Rural Transportation Program is not available in Armstrong, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Columbia, Delaware, Forest, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Somerset, Susquehanna, Warren, Wayne, Westmoreland and Wyoming counties. 

The Disability Budget Coalition (DBC) includes more than 70 organizations from across Pennsylvania representing people with physical and sensory disabilities.  For nearly 20 years, the DBC has been providing annual budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly in support of programs that enable people with physical and sensory disabilities to stay in or return to their own homes and communities.