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TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups
FROM: Susan Goodman, Director, Governmental Affairs
DATE: October 27, 2006
NDSC Joins Lawsuit On Behalf Of Children With Down Syndrome
On October 26, 2006 a press conference was held to announce the filing of Grieco et. al v. New Jersey Department of Education et. al. in front of the Department of Education Building in Trenton, New Jersey. The NDSC is a named plaintiff in this class action lawsuit brought by NDSC members Kelly and Michael Grieco on behalf of Vincenzo L. Grieco, and on behalf of all children with Down syndrome in a similar situation in the State of New Jersey.
The lawsuit alleges that the State of New Jersey violates federal law by refusing to allow children with Down syndrome to fully participate in the public educational system. It states that Vincenzo Grieco and other children with Down syndrome have been deprived of their rights to be educated in regular classrooms with typically developing classmates, and to be provided with supplementary aids, support services and accommodations required to achieve integrated education.
Kelly Grieco spoke at the press conference. NDSC Vice President Becky Corbin was also present. Andrew Hamelsky, parent of a child with Down syndrome and an attorney at White and Williams LLP in New Jersey and Barbara E. Ransom, The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia are co-counsel on the lawsuit.
TASH, New Jersey TASH, and The Family Alliance to Stop Abuse and Neglect have joined NDSC as plaintiffs in the case.
If you would like more information about this lawsuit, contact Susang1961@aol.com.
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Election Day - November 7th - Your Vote Counts
Use the NDSC Voter's Guide (printed below) to find out your candidates position on disability issues and then go out and vote! Your elected officials have a direct impact on our children's lives.
Elected Officials and Disability Issues
Introduction
Politicians campaigning for elected offices today will determine future public policy. Public policy is important to all citizens. Who we elect to represent our concerns and us matters - a lot - to members and families of the National Down Syndrome Congress.
Major issues for persons with disabilities include getting a quality education, access to community-based quality residential living services (including housing and transportation) and getting a meaningful job which offers some economic self-sufficiency.
As you decide who will get your vote in November, learn where candidates stand on these important issues by asking questions. Start by asking candidates if they have a written position statement on disability policies. (If they don't have one, ask why and offer to share your expertise as a parent or family member of a person with Down syndrome on critical issues that your family faces.)
This piece is designed to help you formulate questions for candidates. We have included a brief statement on the issues of education, employment and community living with a few sample questions you may wish to ask. Don't forget to share this sheet with other family members and friends. Their votes matter, too!
Education and Employment
Prior to 1971, public schools had no obligation to educate children with disabilities and many did not. The Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children the right to a free and appropriate public education in the school they would otherwise attend if they did not have disabilities. The goal of education for all individuals is to prepare them for a meaningful career, economic self-sufficiency and a meaningful life in the community. Despite the fact that this law was passed over 30 years ago, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities remains at about 90 percent.
Question for Candidates
- What do you think should be done to improve the quality of educational services to students with disabilities?
- What would you do to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities?
Community Living Services for Adults with Disabilities
The federal/state Medicaid program funds most adult services such as housing, transportation and support staff who provide assistance to individuals with disabilities with the activities of daily living. It also provides services to some children with disabilities. It is a funding stream that is biased towards costlier institutional care and under siege at the federal and state levels.
If you want those safety-net services to be in place when your child grows up - or to remain in place if your family member with Down syndrome now uses them - then you need to know where candidates stand on funding adult services.
Question for Candidates
- What would you do to bring the Medicaid program in line with the goal of full community participation for individuals with disabilities?
- What would you do to ensure that federal and state budget shortfalls do not harm programs for individuals with disabilities?
- What do you see as the role of the federal government in disability policy?
- What do you think of the trend to limit the role of the federal government in disability policy?
Key point...
Most Medicaid dollars go to support long-term care for the elderly, not services to individuals with disabilities.
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If you have questions or comments about the Newsline, please contact Susan Goodman at Susang1961@aol.com. |
