A backward cut
Lately, I’ve been reminded of the phrase “two
steps forward and one step back.”
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. This act
prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. This was a joyous
step forward.
In 1999, the Supreme Court upheld the law’s “integration mandate.” This ruling
reminds states of their obligation to administer services and programs in the
most integrated and non-restrictive setting possible. People with disabilities
need not remain invisible behind the locked doors of institutions. States must
provide services in the community, which would be another step forward.
In 2009, Kansas cut $7 million from the budget, which supports services for
people with disabilities. Individuals lost funding for crucial services while
4,000 Kansans still wait for critical community-based services.
Talk about one massive and precarious step back.
Lurena Mead
Overland Park
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