IN THIS ISSUE:
- Advocates call for state school closure
- The Keys to the Community awareness campaign
- Action Item: Funding to reduce the waiting lists
- Key Legislative Dates-80th Texas Legislature
ADVOCATES CALL FOR STATE SCHOOL CLOSURE
The Disability Policy Consortium, along with several of the state's leading disability advocacy organizations, observed President's Day (Feb. 19) seeking justice for the 300+ residents of Lubbock State School (LSS). During a news conference on the Capitol steps, representatives of DPC, ADAPT and Texas Advocates urged the State's leadership to close the institution. They cited a Department of Justice investigation that revealed an alarming array of deficiencies in the facility's care for residents, most of whom have significant mental and physical disabilities.
In a little-publicized report to Texas Governor Rick Perry last December, the DOJ found that the institution "substantially departs from generally accepted professional standards of care in that the facility fails to:
- Provide adequate health care (including nursing services, psychiatric services, general medical care, pharmacy services, dental care, and occupational and physical therapy, and physical and nutritional management);
- Protect residents from harm;
- Provide adequate behavioral services, freedom from unnecessary or inappropriate restraint, and rehabilitation; and
- Provide services to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.
Participants in the news conference observed a moment of silence for four LSS residents whose deaths were highlighted in the DOJ report as evidence of practices that put people with disabilities "at great risk of harm." In all, 17 LSS residents have died since the DOJ site visit in June 2005, according to the report.
KEYS TO THE COMMUNITY
The DPC is among key organizations seeking the closure of LSS and at least two other state schools over the next four years. As part of that, we are asking Governor Perry and members of the 80th Texas Legislature to provide more funding for community-based programs and services that give Texans with disabilities the "keys to the community."
As you may recall, in the last Texas Action Update we introduced a new campaign to raise awareness about four "key" issues that are important to people with disabilities' and their ability to be part of their communities:
- No waiting lists.
- Community services.
- Livable wages and benefits.
- Accessible, affordable housing.
Key Legislative Dates-80th Texas Legislature
Friday, March 9, 2007 (60th day): Deadline for filing bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations and bills that the governor designates as emergencies.
Monday, May 28, 2007 (140th day): Last day of 80th Regular Session; corrections only in House and Senate.
June 17, 2007 (20th day following final adjournment): Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during the legislative session.
Monday, August 27, 2007 (91st day following final adjournment): Date that bills without specific effective dates (that could not be effective immediately) become law.