Advocacy Alert! April 28th

Posted April 27, 2011 by Mandy Smith in ,

Tomorrow April 28th, the Resource Center for Independent Living will unite at the Kansas Statehouse with Kansans for Quality Communities members to urge our Legislators to do what’s right for Kansans. You can read about this Action on the Kansas Health Institute site here.

We will be spreading the “Save Our State” message which has been individualized among the different organizations. Centers for Independent Living are focusing our efforts on Saving Our Services SOS.

We are emphasizing to our Legislators the following items:

  • As of March 31, 2011, there are 2,950 persons with disabilities waiting for HCBS to assist with their basic needs.
  • As of March 31, 2011, 129 persons with disabilities have died while waiting for services.
  • HCBS are necessary to make it possible for persons with disabilities to be employed.
  • HCBS makes it possible for people with disabilities to stay married and raise a family thus enhancing family life.
  • Support the Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The Centers provide advocacy, information and referral, peer and job counseling, and independent living skills for over 18,000 Kansans with disabilities. All of these services are provided at an annual cost of $117 per person per year.
  • CILs emphasize jobs and work, with the result being that persons with disabilities who are working reduce their health care costs by 2/3.

If you would like to join us at the Statehouse please contact Summer Ludwig.

Mandy Smith

Mandy has worked at RCIL since June of 2009. She is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and provides services in 32 counties to individuals who are blind or have low vision and are 55 years and older.

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