Disability Advocacy takes Priority at the Capitol

According to some spectators it looked like, “Disability Woodstock.”The fifth year anniversary of Disability Capitol Action Day kicked-off only hours after Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, released the May Revise of the proposed State Budget. The record breaking temperature of 104 degrees didn’t stop the approximate 2000 advocates and allies from attending the May 15, 2008 event.

“You can’t balance the budget on cuts alone,” was the theme of this year’s advocacy agenda. Participants were heard throughout the Capitol grounds shouting, “Cuts cost more!”

The focus of this year’s event was the Governor’s proposed State Budget cuts to In Home Support Services, Mental Health Services, Medi-Cal provider rates and elimination of many optional benefits. In addition the coalition also brought fourth two critical pieces of legislation, AB 851(Brownley) Medi-Cal’s 250% Working Disabled Program and SB 1198 (Kuehl) Durable Medical Equipment – Health Coverage.

“Disability Capitol Action Day has something for everyone. Whether you’re a first timer or an annual participant, the event is welcoming for all who come,” says George Sharp of DRAIL.

“Having the Resource Fair on the Capitol lawn was a great way to get people aware of existing services. It also allowed for participants to either walk around or listen and learn from the various speakers,” said long time participant Kari Reynolds.

“California is facing an economic deficit of over 18 billion dollars. Cutting critical services that saves the state millions of dollars isn’t a fair or appropriate way to balance the budget. The state needs a balanced approach that includes revenue enhancements, not just cuts. We cannot allow the administration to continuously cut people with disabilities every time there is an economic crisis,” says Christina Mills, Statewide Organizing Director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. 

The Disability Action Coalition raised over $35,000 to support this year’s event. Funds raised went to mobilization grants, lunch for the first 1500 participants, water, language translation, and dozens of other logistical necessities.

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One by one advocates packed the halls of the much needed air conditioned Capitol to make legislative visits.^. Nearly every member of the legislature was visited and over 80 legislative reports were recorded through the California Foundation for Independent Living Center, CFILC website. In addition to tracking legislative visits the Disability Action Coalition offered a way for consumers to share their stories online. Over 200 consumers have shared what would happen to them as a result of the state budget cut in their individual services.

Several radio interviews took place during the rally portion of Disability Capitol Action Day. Broadcasts could be heard as far south as San Diego and as far north as Chico.

The Disability Action Coalition organizes the annual event and is composed of several cross-disability rights and ally organizations which this year included, Protection and Advocacy, Inc., California Coalition of Mental Health Clients, Disability Health Coalition, Independent Living Services of Northern California, FREED Center for Independent Living, Project Return, San Francisco Public Authority, Pacific Center for Special Care, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, California Association of Public Authorities, Access 2 Readiness Coalition, Respect-Ability Coalition, Disability Rights Legal Center, Community Resources for Independent Living, SEIU Homecare Council, California IHSS Coalition, Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco, Grey Panthers, Dayle McIntosh Center, Community Access Center, California Disability Community Action Network, California In Home Support Services Consumer Alliance, Rolling Start, United Cerebral Palsy, California Network of Mental Health Clients, and Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, and Independent Living Center of Kern County.

This year’s funders included the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, Protection and Advocacy, Disability Health Coalition, Access 2 Readiness Coalition, SEIU, San Francisco Public Authority, American Association of Retired Persons, California Association of Public Authorities, Project Return, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, World Institute on Disability, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Disability Rights Legal Center, Resources for Independent Living, Independent Living Services of Northern California, Friends of Californian’s with Disabilities, and several other unanimous donors.