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Last Tuesday, October 16th, the Assembly Select Committee on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities held their first of two informational hearings. Held in Fresno, this meeting was attended by the Committee Chair, Assemblyman Jim Frazier of Contra Costa, Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula of Fresno, and about 100 citizens and advocates from around the area that care about the I/DD community and the systems and services that impact the lives of people with disabilities. The hearing lasted two hours and was streamed live on Facebook, which can be viewed above.
To start the hearing, Assemblyman Frazier invited specific guests to speak, including the CEO of The Arc of Fresno, Lori Ramirez. Afterward, the committee opened the mic to public comment, and dozens of people provided direct testimony about the achievements and struggles they encounter.
Their were three common themes throughout the hearing:
- Transportation – The lack of transportation in a rural region was the most commonly mentioned challenge. Parents living in towns 30 minutes from Fresno commented that they are underserved, advocates mentioned the challenge of outreach in a large region, and providers mentioned the lack of funding for transportation. The most poignant comment came when a gentleman with a disability said that he had a good paying job lined up for him in Porterville, but because of the lack of transportation options he had to turn the job down.
- Dire Need For Funding – Most comments traced back to the chronic underfunding of supports and services for people with I/DD, especially since the recession when the Legislature passed deep cuts. Specific items mentioned were the need to increase rates and salaries for services, restore cuts made to early start services, and eliminate mandatory furlough days and half-day billing.
- Successes Are Evident – During public comment several self-advocates and parents told their story of how the Lanterman Act has changed their life for the better, whether it’s getting employment or finding meaning in the community. One mother mentioned that decades ago when her child was born with Down Syndrome, the physician told her that most parents would place their child in an institution, but that there was a new program just created in California called the Lanterman Act and that it can provide her and her child a different option.
Select committee’s don’t vote on legislation; however, legislation often gets created as a result of issues and comments discussed during the informational hearings. The select committee will hold their second informational hearing Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Concord at City Council Chambers, 1950 Parkside Drive.
Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc of California