Part II - Blind Allegiance
Developmental Disabilities Advocates
May 18, 2011 – Senator Hatfield called for an emergency suspension Rule 45 with regards to notification of Public Testimony of Bills (by Rule 45 there is to be 5 days notice of a public hearing) – with this emergency suspension, there was only a 20 minute notification before a critical bill was brought forward for public testimony (SSB 5459). Not only was SSB 5459 brought forth with 20 minutes notice for public hearing but a substitute bill 2SSB 5459 was brought forward – totally missing any public testimony on SSB 5459.
In addition to policies being made with inaccurate data, the procedures for these policies have been wholly undemocratic in nature. This is evidenced by calling a public hearing on a very critical issue only 20 minutes prior to the start of the hearing. (Senate Ways and Means Committee – Public Hearing, May 18, 2011). The committee was not even briefed on the Substitute Bill 5459 until public hearing was ready to commence. Senator Adam Kline testified and handed out information which he stated showed that the support needs of the community residents were the same as those in the RHC. This data that he handed out was inaccurate yet no one questioned it. What I found interesting in listening to this public hearing (TVW http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2011050118A) Senator Kline states there is “no trust me here” that’s about the only truth that I heard him speak that day.
SSB5459 was a bill which will destoy much of the safety net that we have with residential care for our most vulnerable citizens. Senator Adam Kline sponsored this bill and stated that the work for this bill had come from the “outgrowth of a workgroup – members of unions, community and the Governor’s office.” I’d like to ask where was the input from friends, guardians and family members, staff and caregivers of the very people that this bill would affect – the residents of the Residential Habilitation Centers? They were not invited or were not informed of this workgroup yet the decisions that were made greatly affect their lives. Is this the fair, just and democratic approach?
I have heard many Disability Advocates and Self-Advocates talk about “Nothing About Us Without Us” yet that statement seems to be forgotten when they are talking about those who cannot speak for themselves. Their motto apparently doesn’t apply when the pecking order is in effect.
Saskia Davis
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