Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Support Governor Scott’s Proposal To Fund the Waiting List
Contact: Melanie Etters 850-414-7551
Melanie_Etters@apd.state.fl.us or
Jay Schleuning 850-443-5096
jay@arcflorida.org
Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Support Governor Scott’s Proposal To Fund the Waiting List
Tallahassee, Fla. —Floridians with developmental disabilities, their
families, friends and caregivers will gather at the Florida Capitol on
March 7 for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2013, co-sponsored by
the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), The Arc of Florida,
and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). During a news
conference, supporters of individuals with developmental disabilities will
call on lawmakers to fund essential programs and services for individuals
with developmental disabilities, especially Governor Rick Scott’s budget
recommendation to provide additional funds for Florida’s waiver waiting
list.
The waiver waiting list is composed of more than 20,000 individuals with
developmental disabilities who have been waiting for services such as
supported employment, supported living, respite care, and transportation
services. Some individuals have been waiting for many years to enroll onto
the APD Medicaid waiver.
“We appreciate Governor’s Scott’s recommendation to provide $36 million for
the APD Medicaid waiver waiting list for the first time in eight years,
said Barbara Palmer, APD Director. “APD currently provides services to
about 30,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, and we look
forward to serving those on the waiting list who have the most critical
needs with this additional funding.”
Kathy McAllister, Chair of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council,
said, “Individuals with developmental disabilities on the waiting list need
services to help them find and retain jobs. If the state can provide more
money for supported employment services and other types of job training, it
will help individuals with developmental disabilities to become, productive
tax-paying citizens.”
“If the Legislature approves the additional funds recommended by the
governor, our state-wide chapters will be able to help more Floridians with
developmental disabilities enhance their lives,” said Michele Poole,
president of The Arc of Florida.
Governor Scott, Cabinet members, legislators, and self-advocates have been
invited to speak.
The day’s activities also include:
· Exhibits: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on the Second Floor Rotunda
· Advocate visits with legislators throughout the day
The FDDC is a non-profit organization charged with advocating and promoting
meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with
developmental disabilities. For more information, visit www.fddc.org or
call 1-800-580-7801.
The Arc of Florida is a nonprofit charity whose mission is to improve the
quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. For more
information, visit www.arcflorida.org or call 1-800-226-1155.
APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and
work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000
Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual
disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more
information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit
APDcares.org or call toll-free 1 866 APD CARES (1 866 273 2273).
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