Developmental disabilities community decries budget cuts to state services

Advocates for people with developmental disabilities are mobilizing to try to preserve their services in the midst of Maryland's budget crisis.

More than 100 people gathered last night at a town hall meeting in Severna Park organized by the End the Wait Now! Campaign and the Developmental Disabilities Coalition. Nine meetings are being conducted around the state to raise awareness about the difficulties facing vulnerable populations.

"These cuts are cutting into an already-fragile system," said Vicki Callahan, executive director of Opportunity Builders, an organization that provides vocational and other training for adults with developmental disabilities. "None of us … have been working with fluff."

Representatives from community groups said there has been almost no adjustment for inflation during the past five years and millions were cut over the summer in service coordination, autism Medicaid waivers and grants for low-level support.

The cuts come as Anne Arundel County alone has more than 1,200 people on a waiting list for services, a 90 percent increase since 2004, they said.

County residents who have developmental disabilities or care for those with such disabilities shared stories about how dwindling dollars are leaving them without adequate transportation, personnel or subsidies.

Anne Stag said she already spends thousands of dollars a year on medications, specialist visits and other treatments for her 10-year-old son, who has Down syndrome and other disorders.

"We can't afford any more than we are paying at this time," she said. "Wouldn't it be great if the state of Maryland could be the humanitarian beacon?"

County resident Donna Fluke, 70, said she has been fighting for decades to make sure there were services for her disabled children, who are now both almost 50.

"Physically and emotionally, our family never would have survived without these programs," she said. "I am angry, I am sad,I am tired. It is truly shameful we are still having this fight."

Since state budget cuts and the recession increased in scope in 2008, few groups besides organized labor have been as vocal

about the impact as those in the developmental disabilities community.

One of their proposals is a dedicated revenue source through an alcohol tax increase of 5 cents per drink, which a recent Gonzales poll showed was supported by more than 80 percent of Marylanders.

"That is not going to break you," said Beth Hastings of the Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region. "Not only will you be having a good time, you will be helping someone with a disability."

But the 2010 General Assembly will be the last legislative session before an election, and lawmakers are still worried about the impact of tax increases approved in 2007.

Just last week, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, reiterated that no tax increases will be on the table next year, even though the state faces a $2 billion deficit.

Politicians who attended the meeting urged people to be vocal when the session begins in January.

"We need your voice in the meetings," said Del. Ted Sophocleus, D-Linthicum. "Show what it means to you. … Please stand up and be counted."