A
MEMORIAL
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.