Plan for disabled needed yesterday
Syracuse Post-Standard Editorial
The head of the state Office of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities says advocates for the disabled don't have to shout
to have their voices heard. He was referring to the 100 protesters who attended
a public hearing Monday about a program whose goal is to help the disabled move
from institutional facilities to community homes. But, apparently, shouting may
be the only way that state officials will pay attention to the activists - and
the law.
Two years ago, Gov. Pataki signed legislation that created the
State Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council. Its mission was to ensure
that people of all ages with disabilities "reside and function in the most
integrated setting possible." The council was supposed to come up with a
plan, which was supposed to be given to Pataki, the Assembly speaker and Senate
leader by December 2003. It didn't happen.
Although the state doesn't seem especially motivated about keeping deadlines -
consider how long it took to pass the state budget - there is no excuse for
delaying a plan that should have been in place almost a year ago. In fact, a
second report is due soon.
Thomas Maul, the commissioner of OMRDD, who said "people
don't have to protest to be heard," promises that a plan is coming in the
next few months. Disabled citizens are waiting - in fact,
they've been waiting too long.
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