June, 2004
I have been writing this column for the last three years in the hopes that I might help people with disabilities make this a more accessible community. In those three years I have touched on a wide variety of topics ranging from recreational activities to the difficulties of having a hidden disability. I've discussed school issues and accessibility problems. I have amused some of you, angered a few and hopefully informed many. Now I am looking to galvanize some of you to action. We need advocates. We need people to stand up and be counted. We need people who are willing to make your voices heard.
Let me give you an example. In the past year we have witnessed a significant change in para-transit services in this county. Rates have risen, area of coverage has diminished and certification for use of the service has gotten harder. Throughout this process there have been public hearings, METRO board meetings and more meetings. At these meetings many advocates working for various non-profit organizations have spoken against these changes, but we were unable to get many of the users of the services to attend and tell their stories. Unfortunately, that was what was needed.
I had the good fortune of being part of a presentation recently to the parents of children with developmental disabilities and afterward one parent made a very profound observation. She said it sounded like the most important thing she could do for her child was publicly advocate for her child so she could minimize the impact of dwindling benefits and programs. She is absolutely right.
In these times of tight budgets, governments and organizations are looking for places to cut spending. As the various government jurisdictions hold budget hearings they are listening to their constituents about where to cut spending. If they don't hear from people who use those services those governments have a tendency to reduce funding for those services. Right now many of the local area non-profits are attending these meetings, working on behalf of the citizens of Santa Cruz County, to maintain services at adequate levels. But we need you to come and speak also. We need people to come and say how those services have helped them through particular tough times and how those services need to continue.
Over the years, these social service programs have become known as the "Safety Net" and maybe this term has given some people a false sense of security. Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you automatically qualify for Social Security benefits. They have qualifications that must be met and sometimes it is a long process. The waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher gets longer by the month and proposed changes to the funding of these vouchers may mean there are less of them. As METRO tries to balance it's budget through service reductions, more people are losing access to paratransit. As funding to many organizations decreases they are forced to reduce staff, reduce hours, create waiting lists, etc.
I know, many of you are thinking you don't use those services and therefore this can't possible apply to you. Ironically, I have people calling my office every week for assistance who never thought they would be in that situation.
So please make your voices heard. Don't just show up at the school board meeting when they are threatening to close a school. Go to a city council meeting and tell your story. If you feel uncomfortable speaking up at a meeting then at least give your representative a call, write them a letter or email. There used to be a popular saying from Smokey the bear "Only you can prevent forest fires". Well if you wait too long to make your voices heard, those programs you expect to be there for you and your family may get swept away in the firestorm of budget cuts.
Always remember - Disability is a random event that can occur in any life, at any moment.
- Michael Bradshaw, Central Coast Center for Independent Living