PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 12, 2003 TO BE "DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE" AND DECLARING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS THAT SERVE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES LIVING IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES AND THAT PERMIT SELF-DIRECTED SERVICES.

WHEREAS, over nineteen percent of the population of New Mexico is comprised of persons with disabilities, including young and middle-aged people, seniors, disabled veterans, paralyzed veterans, parents, husbands, wives, children and people of all races and ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, people with disabilities prefer to live in their own homes and communities so as to be near friends and relatives, to work, to go to church and to enjoy recreational and social stimulation from libraries, schools, theaters, community centers, museums, skiing, fishing, boating and the many other wonderful attractions in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, most people with disabilities prefer living in a community but may need personal care services, accessibility of the built environment, home modifications, healthy housing, transportation, adequate health insurance and health care and assistive technology to do so; and

WHEREAS, the United States supreme court has promoted community living through its Olmstead decision, which urges all fifty states to plan for people to live in communities rather than in institutions; and

WHEREAS, millions of dollars come into the state to help New Mexicans with disabilities, both young and old, through medicaid and medicare, vocational rehabilitation, housing, education and job training, in-home care and transportation programs; and

WHEREAS, these programs need vigilant attention by consumers, advocates and legislators to prevent fragmentation and lack of coordination, to preserve funding and accountability and to promote consumer choice and control in service delivery; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has been a longtime supporter of disabled New Mexican citizens and continues to support them and encourage their involvement with the legislature and society;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 12, 2003 be proclaimed "Disability Awareness Day at the Legislature" in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that disability programs, such as the personal care option and working disabled individual programs in medicaid, and the timely receipt of services under the disabled and elderly and developmental disabilities medicaid waivers be supported and that agencies providing services be requested to unite and coordinate more effectively their programs to provide timely, optimal and appropriate services to assist persons with disabilities to live and work independently in their own communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that legislation that promotes freedom of choice as to who, what, when, where and how services are delivered and legislation that promotes both self-determination and consumer direction of such services be supported; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to each state agency that provides disability programs.