The Decade-long Wait: Unpacking the Delay in State Aid for Disabled Children
The State of Waiting: A Closer Look at Disability Services
It’s a tale as old as time — well, maybe not that old, but close enough. The issue of waiting lists for disability services has been a thorn in the side of many states across the US. According to a recent survey by KFF, a health policy research group, at least 692,000 individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities are waiting for services in 40 states. That’s a whole lot of waiting and not a lot of action.
Neil Romano, a member of the National Council on Disability, hit the nail on the head when he declared that it’s “simply responsible” to assist families in need. After all, when families receive the support they require, parents can be more productive in their jobs, attend to other family needs, or even take a weekend break once in a blue moon. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?
In Kansas, the struggle is real. With separate in-home and community services programs catering to around 15,000 physically and developmentally disabled residents, the waiting lists are no joke. As of mid-February, these lists added up to approximately 7,500 individuals eagerly awaiting their turn. Just ask the Elskamp family outside Topeka — after a decade of waiting, their daughter Sheridan, who just turned 23, finally got off the waiting list for intellectually disabled Kansas residents. Now that’s what we call progress, folks!
The big guns are out in Kansas, with the budget committee in the Republican-controlled Senate gearing up to discuss a proposal from the Democratic governor. This proposal includes an additional $23 million aimed at slashing the state’s waiting lists by 500 people. But hold onto your hats, because disability rights advocates are pushing for an even more aggressive approach. They’re eyeing an extra $85 million in the next budget to reduce both waiting lists by a total of 1,600 individuals and wipe them out entirely in just five short years.
Over in Oklahoma, the struggle is all too real. With a whopping 5,100 individuals on the waiting list for disability services, some families have been twiddling their thumbs for up to 13 years. That’s a long time to wait for essential support and care.
In a world where waiting seems to be the name of the game, it’s high time for states to step up to the plate and tackle these waiting lists head-on. The clock is ticking, and every minute counts for those in need of vital disability services. Let’s make waiting lists a thing of the past and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
