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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2008 Celebrated at Florida's Capitol
The crowd of nearly 50 people attending the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC)’s 2008 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day press conference heard some good news from Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, speaking on behalf of the Governor’s office. “We have recommended 61 million dollars to significantly reduce the projected deficit in the developmental services Medicaid Waiver program , something I know is important to you”.
The Lt. Governor then announced that the Agency for Persons with Disabilities has worked hard to reduce the deficit for the developmental disabilities waiver from a projected 153 million dollars to 9 million dollars.
Representative Curtis Richardson and Representative Bill Galvano, both strong supporters of the FDDC’s efforts to protect the Medicaid Waiver funding, spoke briefly. They urged those in the audience to keep up their efforts of educating lawmakers on the needs of persons with developmental disabilities, and thanked everyone for their support. Jane Johnson and Steve Howells, representing the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), and the Florida Alliance for Assistance Services and Technology (FAAST), also spoke. APD and FAAST were partners with the FDDC for Tuesday’s activities.
The Lt. Governor then presented Enrique Escallon, Council Chairperson, with the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day proclamation, which said, in part:
“WHEREAS, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day is an appropriate time to recognize Florida’s accomplishments concerning persons with disabilities and to identify the improvements to public policy that are needed to ensure inclusion in the classroom, in the workplace and in the community and that appropriate services are obtained by all of Florida’s citizens with developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., encourages all Floridians to actively participate in events that appropriately recognize and celebrate Florida’s diverse population including persons with developmental disabilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 18, 2008, as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day.”
Whole families traveled throughout the Capitol on Tuesday, visiting with lawmakers and their aides, leaving them information on the FDDC’s legislative priorities, and urging them to vote 'no' on budget cuts to programs for persons with disabilities. About a dozen people crowded into Representative Michael Scionti’s office. They spent close to an hour talking with him about the legislative process, the budget cuts, and how advocates can influence lawmakers to support funding for persons with developmental disabilities.
Chairperson Escallon urged the self-advocates, their families, and other supporters of the FDDC's legislative priorities to continue to work with lawmakers, not just for one day, but throughout the legislative session. He was optimistic that their efforts would be successful. “We have many challenges, but I know we can all work together to meet those challenges”, said Escallon.