As our state reaches unbearable debts, legislators hone their focus on cutting services that benefit its people. These cuts take an unfortunate toll on services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Moreover, services that provide housing, care, education, and employment would be cut in the proposed 2017 budget.
In fact, Chris’s sister Rachel has been a longtime member of Journey Found, an organization right here in Manchester, CT that assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So it’s understandable as to why this is a topic that is very close to our hearts here at Paradiso Insurance, because we take pride in supporting those with special needs.
Therefore, we’re asking for your support during the coming month at the 4th Annual Family Hearing Day in Hartford, CT.
Sponsored by The Arc CT and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Caucus, this assembly will include meeting with various members of legislation and testifying for those who cannot be heard. Each testimony should be in your own words and include your own story, explain why you’re testifying, and why legislators should protect funding and policy decisions regarding individuals with mental disabilities.
Additionally, if you do plan to testify some basic things to include in your speech are:
- Your name
- Your town
- A small thank you to the Caucus leaders: Representative Jay Case, Representative John Hampton, Senator Ted Kennedy Jr., and to the legislators on the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Caucus for listening.
- The name and age of the individual with special needs.
- What funding or support (if any) the individual receives.
- What the support means to you and your family.
- How losing support would impact your family and/or the individual.
- If you’re currently on a DDS waiting list for support.
- How does not having support (if you currently don’t any) affect you, your family, or the individual?
- What are your concerns/fears for the future of the individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
- What can legislators do to help?
- What would you like to see as an outcome?
Attendees will get a chance to speak and testify the day of, however in the event of a large audience turnout not everyone may be able to speak. Therefore, it’s imperative you also submit your testimony via email at familyhearingtestimony@gmail.com. All emailed testimonies will be available to our state legislators, so if you don’t get a chance to speak during the assembly your voice can still be heard!
We urge you to come show the wonderful men and women with special needs some support! The testimony will be held Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 from 10:00am-1:00pm. The assembly will take place in the Legislative Office Building, Room 2C of the State Capitol.
The address of the building is 300 Capitol Ave #5100, Hartford, CT 06106 and parking is free to the public at the top of the garage. Traffic may cause delays too, so make sure to arrive a bit early! If you lack personal transport, there are also a variety of commuter express buses that can bring you into the city as well as a train station.
Additionally, if you can’t make it you can still support the fight for individuals with intellectual disabilities by donating to The Arc CT. The Arc is a non-profit organization that fights for the rights for these individuals and fights to ensure that federal and state programs meet the needs and requirements for all people to have equal access to.
If you’d like more information about Family Hearing Day or how you can get involved please contact Shannon Jacovino at sjacovino@thearcct.org or 203-514-3028. You can also like The Arc CT on Facebook for updates and more information about this day. Please join us in the fight for the voices of many to be heard, share this with your friends, and spread awareness! Thank you.