AUSTIN – A settlement Texas officials signed with the U.S. Justice Department to improve conditions at the state schools for the mentally disabled doesn't do enough to move people out of institutions and into the community, advocates for the disabled said Thursday.
The advocates, complaining that they were left out of the negotiations, are asking Gov. Rick Perry to ensure they play a role in the agreement's implementation and monitoring.
"We're not here to impede this settlement," said Dennis Borel, executive director for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. "But we are interested in ensuring nobody stays in an institution who is able and wants to get out."
The five-year, $112 million agreement, signed this spring after a four-year federal investigation into civil rights violations at Texas' 13 state schools for the disabled, calls for hiring more than 1,000 new workers, and drastically improving living conditions at the facilities.
It's a response to years of media reports about abuse and neglect inside the facilities, culminating with news this winter that employees orchestrated a "fight club" at the Corpus Christi State School.
But the advocates for the disabled say the measure simply pours millions of dollars into a system that is broken, and will do little to move institutionalized people into more integrated settings.
Officials with the Department of Aging and Disability Services, who oversee the state schools and helped craft the settlement agreement, say advocacy groups had ample time to play a role in the process.
"There were legislative hearings, interim committee hearings, public meetings where input was welcomed and considered," said Laura Albrecht, spokeswoman for the agency.
And they say the agency continues to try to move people who want to live in the community out of the state schools, reporting the facilities' population has dropped by nearly 80 people since February.
But advocates say that pumping more than $100 million into the state schools through the settlement agreement merely delays emptying out the facilities all together.
"We are talking about more than money and bricks and mortar," said Tanya Winters, director of the Texas Advocates Peer To Peer project, which trains people with disabilities to be their own advocates. "We're talking about peoples' lives and happiness." - Dallas Morning News
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Iowa bill requires disabled housing registration
An Iowa House committee on Tuesday approved a measure that would require registration for houses that shelter disabled workers.
The measure is in response to a dilapidated house in Atalissa where 21 mentally disabled Texas men lived while they worked at a nearby turkey processing plant operated by Texas-based Henry's Turkey Service.
The package was recommended by a task force created by Gov. Chet Culver after the men were found living in the run-down house.
Under the measure approved by the committee, other facilities would have to register with the state and subject to inspection.
Officials said the measure will give them a better handle on the number of facilities in the state and who is being housed in them.
"Does it solve all of the problems and close all of the gaps? No," said Rep. Vicky Lensing, D-Iowa City, head of the House Oversight Committee. "This is a first step."
The measure must still be approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
Though the Legislature is getting close to ending this year's session, the measure is likely to emerge because of the discovery of the disabled workers living at the house in eastern Iowa.
The men were employed since the 1970s by Henry's Turkey Service, which contracted for them to work at the meatpacker. They lived in a boarded-up house with only space heaters until a call to a state abuse hot line prompted an investigation and decision by the state to close the house in February and move the men to centers in Waterloo.
Allegations have since surfaced that the men saw little of their earnings and that most had almost no savings despite years of work.
John McCalley, director of the Department of Elder Affairs and chairman of the task force, told the committee that the package takes a series of steps to begin dealing with the issue.
"This bill represents a delicate balancing act," McCalley said.
Other recommended steps in the measure include:
_ Department of Human Services officials conducting assessments of conditions at the facilities.
_ Creating a multi-agency team that would oversee the care and treatment of dependent adults in the state.
_ Tighter scrutiny of special permits that are issued allowing workers with disabilities to take jobs.
Critics said the measure approved Tuesday would do little in the face of a bureaucracy that didn't rise to the occasion.
"For 34 years, 22 agencies have dropped the ball and now we're reacting," said Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield.
Similar legislation is moving through the Senate, and a criminal investigation in the case is continuing.
Source: Associated Press
The measure is in response to a dilapidated house in Atalissa where 21 mentally disabled Texas men lived while they worked at a nearby turkey processing plant operated by Texas-based Henry's Turkey Service.
The package was recommended by a task force created by Gov. Chet Culver after the men were found living in the run-down house.
Under the measure approved by the committee, other facilities would have to register with the state and subject to inspection.
Officials said the measure will give them a better handle on the number of facilities in the state and who is being housed in them.
"Does it solve all of the problems and close all of the gaps? No," said Rep. Vicky Lensing, D-Iowa City, head of the House Oversight Committee. "This is a first step."
The measure must still be approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
Though the Legislature is getting close to ending this year's session, the measure is likely to emerge because of the discovery of the disabled workers living at the house in eastern Iowa.
The men were employed since the 1970s by Henry's Turkey Service, which contracted for them to work at the meatpacker. They lived in a boarded-up house with only space heaters until a call to a state abuse hot line prompted an investigation and decision by the state to close the house in February and move the men to centers in Waterloo.
Allegations have since surfaced that the men saw little of their earnings and that most had almost no savings despite years of work.
John McCalley, director of the Department of Elder Affairs and chairman of the task force, told the committee that the package takes a series of steps to begin dealing with the issue.
"This bill represents a delicate balancing act," McCalley said.
Other recommended steps in the measure include:
_ Department of Human Services officials conducting assessments of conditions at the facilities.
_ Creating a multi-agency team that would oversee the care and treatment of dependent adults in the state.
_ Tighter scrutiny of special permits that are issued allowing workers with disabilities to take jobs.
Critics said the measure approved Tuesday would do little in the face of a bureaucracy that didn't rise to the occasion.
"For 34 years, 22 agencies have dropped the ball and now we're reacting," said Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield.
Similar legislation is moving through the Senate, and a criminal investigation in the case is continuing.
Source: Associated Press
Sunday, April 12, 2009
How does receiving Disability affect my Social Security benefits later in life?
Question from: Suzjoy
I started getting Disability in my 50s, and am now 61. I receive just Disability (not SSI), and am wondering what happens at age 65? Do I start receiving regular SS, and does it end earlier than if I hadnever gotten Disability?? Thanks.
Answer from : Little78
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, those benefits will be converted to retirement benefits.
Source(s):
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035...
To add to the above answer, there is no "ending" to Social Security. You get it as long as you live.
Source: Yahoo Answers
I started getting Disability in my 50s, and am now 61. I receive just Disability (not SSI), and am wondering what happens at age 65? Do I start receiving regular SS, and does it end earlier than if I hadnever gotten Disability?? Thanks.
Answer from : Little78
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, those benefits will be converted to retirement benefits.
Source(s):
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035...
To add to the above answer, there is no "ending" to Social Security. You get it as long as you live.
Source: Yahoo Answers
What steps does it take to qualify for disability from the state because of anxiety and depression?
Question from: Mel
I'm on my second leave of absence in the past year....I've worked maybe 3 months in the past year. The disability payments from work will only last so long and I'm not sure if I can go back to work at all after that....everytime I think about it...I get sick (nausea, vomiting, pounding heart, and crying). I know that my employers think that I'm lying which of course makes it worse and I think actually led me wind up going on sick leave the second time. I'm frustrated because I am used to taking care of myself and my kids, but now I feel helpless. All this worrying is not good for me and I know it, but as we all know money makes the world go round and without it we're lost. I feel like I'm turning into a recluse and that's very scary, especially since I have kids...the youngest of which, has no relationship with her father...so of course he's no help at all. I have suffered from anxiety my entire life, but it's gotten progressively worse over the past 10 years.
I'm not looking for a hand-out...I'm looking for help. If I can't out of bed to go to work...what am I supposed to do. Perhaps you think suicide would be a better option...wouldn't want to be a problem for you or society.
Of course I've tried doctors and medication...eventually they stop working and when they do work it's not perfect, otherwise I would be at work.
Your very ignorant to think I want a hand out...I'd rather be working...making a real check like I always have in the past. Yeah I'm real happy since I can't work...ooo hoo free time to sit at home and be miserable, with no one who understands. I sit at home every day...I'm not out partying, meeting with friends or having any fun at all....I'm sick, not lazy. People always invite me out, but they don't get it....my anxiety has me like a prisoner in my own body. I wonder when it will end or just be as bad it was before...at least I could still function.
You can judge me if you like, but I just wanted some help
Answer from: Zen
Please don't give up! Are you on antidepressents? If you are, theyr'e not the right ones for you! I waited till I was in my late forties to even go see a doctor, only then because my days had become so dark, I literally wanted to die rather than live this way. I was so anxious at times, I wanted to drink and just stay in the house with the blinds closed. I had to work, but just the drive had me fighting panic attacks the whole way there. I became so neurotic that I started counting things,.OCD. I lost weight, wanted to sleep all day, couldn't stay asleep at night. I trid meditation, self-help books and tapes, herbal vitamins, shots of Nyquil, u-name-it! I could tell you stories...like getting paranoid at bank & stores, leaving a full grocery cart behind. I had an attack years ago in an intersection in left lane, sooooo..I avoided most ALL left hand turns. I cried, got mad, withdrew, didn't find pleasure in ANYTHING!!!!!.....Then, there came a little med called Paxil. I tried two or three other ones, but they didn't work as well. 6 months later, I have NO panic attacks, my depressed moments are just normal moments. I don't count everything in sight...and I hated math!!!! I rarely cry and haven't thrown a dish across the room in months. You may need a little xanax until the meds "kick in", which takes a couple weeks...But, you'll be so glad you did!!!!!!!!!!ps..u can always e mail me! Hugs to you! oooooooooo oh, And I also considered looking into dissability as the last resort!
Last note from: Mel
Thanks so much for the support. I'm feeling a little better today. I'll see my doc on Tuesday, hopefully we can figure something else out. By the way, I been through most of the things you've been through. It's funny we always feel alone and so many of us are going through the same things.
Source: Yahoo Answers
I'm on my second leave of absence in the past year....I've worked maybe 3 months in the past year. The disability payments from work will only last so long and I'm not sure if I can go back to work at all after that....everytime I think about it...I get sick (nausea, vomiting, pounding heart, and crying). I know that my employers think that I'm lying which of course makes it worse and I think actually led me wind up going on sick leave the second time. I'm frustrated because I am used to taking care of myself and my kids, but now I feel helpless. All this worrying is not good for me and I know it, but as we all know money makes the world go round and without it we're lost. I feel like I'm turning into a recluse and that's very scary, especially since I have kids...the youngest of which, has no relationship with her father...so of course he's no help at all. I have suffered from anxiety my entire life, but it's gotten progressively worse over the past 10 years.
I'm not looking for a hand-out...I'm looking for help. If I can't out of bed to go to work...what am I supposed to do. Perhaps you think suicide would be a better option...wouldn't want to be a problem for you or society.
Of course I've tried doctors and medication...eventually they stop working and when they do work it's not perfect, otherwise I would be at work.
Your very ignorant to think I want a hand out...I'd rather be working...making a real check like I always have in the past. Yeah I'm real happy since I can't work...ooo hoo free time to sit at home and be miserable, with no one who understands. I sit at home every day...I'm not out partying, meeting with friends or having any fun at all....I'm sick, not lazy. People always invite me out, but they don't get it....my anxiety has me like a prisoner in my own body. I wonder when it will end or just be as bad it was before...at least I could still function.
You can judge me if you like, but I just wanted some help
Answer from: Zen
Please don't give up! Are you on antidepressents? If you are, theyr'e not the right ones for you! I waited till I was in my late forties to even go see a doctor, only then because my days had become so dark, I literally wanted to die rather than live this way. I was so anxious at times, I wanted to drink and just stay in the house with the blinds closed. I had to work, but just the drive had me fighting panic attacks the whole way there. I became so neurotic that I started counting things,.OCD. I lost weight, wanted to sleep all day, couldn't stay asleep at night. I trid meditation, self-help books and tapes, herbal vitamins, shots of Nyquil, u-name-it! I could tell you stories...like getting paranoid at bank & stores, leaving a full grocery cart behind. I had an attack years ago in an intersection in left lane, sooooo..I avoided most ALL left hand turns. I cried, got mad, withdrew, didn't find pleasure in ANYTHING!!!!!.....Then, there came a little med called Paxil. I tried two or three other ones, but they didn't work as well. 6 months later, I have NO panic attacks, my depressed moments are just normal moments. I don't count everything in sight...and I hated math!!!! I rarely cry and haven't thrown a dish across the room in months. You may need a little xanax until the meds "kick in", which takes a couple weeks...But, you'll be so glad you did!!!!!!!!!!ps..u can always e mail me! Hugs to you! oooooooooo oh, And I also considered looking into dissability as the last resort!
Last note from: Mel
Thanks so much for the support. I'm feeling a little better today. I'll see my doc on Tuesday, hopefully we can figure something else out. By the way, I been through most of the things you've been through. It's funny we always feel alone and so many of us are going through the same things.
Source: Yahoo Answers
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Looking for toilets
The search for a model disabled-friendly rest room yielded some interesting results.
I was involved in an unusual assignment a week ago. Together with another gentleman in a wheelchair, accompanied by a team of experts from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), our montley crew went out as “roving investigator” in Petaling Jaya.
We went to look at, of all things, toilet. And we were only interested in loos that were user-friendly for disabled and elderly individuals.
The purpose of our trip was a well-known hotel. We oozed and aahed at most of the outfit’s disabled-friendly designs. The most impressive was the entry/exit door of the loo, which was an electronic one.
All a patron in a wheelchair needed to do was press a button with one finger and presto: it would open for him. Once inside he has only to push another button. The door closes, offering him all the privacy he needs.
If only all other hotels in the country would follow the good example of the hotel we visited and provide electronics doors as well, it would make the lives of disabled and elderly persons much easier when they visit such outfits.
Even though posh hotels may have disabled-friendly loos little attention is given to he doors. The doors are often so heavy that we have a hard time trying to open them.
Not everything was smooth sailing during our assignment. Together with the good came the not-so-good.
We had a lesson on how important it was to train everyone to handle an emergency.
When we tried to get into the loo for the first time it suddenly got locked and refused to open untill 20 minutes later. None of the staff knew how to open the door.
They claimed the person in charge was not around. Fortunately, this was not real emergency. We dreaded to think of what could happened if disabled person had fallen inside the loo and needed help.
It was disappointing too that the five-star hotel had a steep ramp at its entrance which disabled guests were forced to use to access the building.
The reserved parking lot for disabled was located far from the entrance to the building.
The management promised to rectify the situation soonest possible.
Our journey also took us to Ikea and Ikano shopping centers in Mutiara Damansara.
No sooner had we arrived when we were greeted by smiling security guards at the generously-size parking lots for the disabled. These people are so serious about their car parks for the handicapped that they clamp any unauthorized cars and make them pay a fine for abusing the facilities.
The money collected is donated to a local charity for disabled.
I was shocked to hear about the reactions of some people who misuse the disabled parking bays. One or two of them even resorted to violence when their cars were clamped, I was told.
The majority, however, apologetic when they realized the errors of their ways.
As for the toilets, especially Ikea’s, I think they have close to the perfect one I’ve seen so far.
The toilet is spacious enough for a helper to accompany a disabled person. There’s an alarm bell (panic button) in case of emergency and a face mirror that leans slightly downwards from a strategic height to allow a wheelchair-user to view his upper body.
We were all touched by the willingness of these two shopping centers to improve on what they were providing for shoppers.
(Articles written by Anthony Thanasayan - athanasayan[at]yahoo.com)
I was involved in an unusual assignment a week ago. Together with another gentleman in a wheelchair, accompanied by a team of experts from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), our montley crew went out as “roving investigator” in Petaling Jaya.
We went to look at, of all things, toilet. And we were only interested in loos that were user-friendly for disabled and elderly individuals.
The purpose of our trip was a well-known hotel. We oozed and aahed at most of the outfit’s disabled-friendly designs. The most impressive was the entry/exit door of the loo, which was an electronic one.
All a patron in a wheelchair needed to do was press a button with one finger and presto: it would open for him. Once inside he has only to push another button. The door closes, offering him all the privacy he needs.
If only all other hotels in the country would follow the good example of the hotel we visited and provide electronics doors as well, it would make the lives of disabled and elderly persons much easier when they visit such outfits.
Even though posh hotels may have disabled-friendly loos little attention is given to he doors. The doors are often so heavy that we have a hard time trying to open them.
Not everything was smooth sailing during our assignment. Together with the good came the not-so-good.
We had a lesson on how important it was to train everyone to handle an emergency.
When we tried to get into the loo for the first time it suddenly got locked and refused to open untill 20 minutes later. None of the staff knew how to open the door.
They claimed the person in charge was not around. Fortunately, this was not real emergency. We dreaded to think of what could happened if disabled person had fallen inside the loo and needed help.
It was disappointing too that the five-star hotel had a steep ramp at its entrance which disabled guests were forced to use to access the building.
The reserved parking lot for disabled was located far from the entrance to the building.
The management promised to rectify the situation soonest possible.
Our journey also took us to Ikea and Ikano shopping centers in Mutiara Damansara.
No sooner had we arrived when we were greeted by smiling security guards at the generously-size parking lots for the disabled. These people are so serious about their car parks for the handicapped that they clamp any unauthorized cars and make them pay a fine for abusing the facilities.
The money collected is donated to a local charity for disabled.
I was shocked to hear about the reactions of some people who misuse the disabled parking bays. One or two of them even resorted to violence when their cars were clamped, I was told.
The majority, however, apologetic when they realized the errors of their ways.
As for the toilets, especially Ikea’s, I think they have close to the perfect one I’ve seen so far.
The toilet is spacious enough for a helper to accompany a disabled person. There’s an alarm bell (panic button) in case of emergency and a face mirror that leans slightly downwards from a strategic height to allow a wheelchair-user to view his upper body.
We were all touched by the willingness of these two shopping centers to improve on what they were providing for shoppers.
(Articles written by Anthony Thanasayan - athanasayan[at]yahoo.com)
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