Según el gobierno federal, poco más de tres punto siete millones de personas con discapacidades viven en Nueva York, y acaban de conseguir un nuevo defensor en la oficina de gobernación.
La Gobernadora Kathy Hochul ha designado a Kimberly Hill como la primera Directora de Discapacidad del estado, para promover y defender las políticas que apoyen a los neoyorquinos con discapacidades.

Sharon McLennon-Wier, del Centro para la Independencia de Discapacitados de Nueva York, dice que espera que Hill se enfoque en las recomendaciones de algunas áreas, incluido el transporte, la atención médica, la vivienda, la educación y la creación de empleo.

"Preparar a las personas con discapacidades para ingresar al mercado laboral es importante," asegura McLennon-Wier, "por lo que es fundamental contar con una base de educación que les conducirá a un empleo remunerado."

La oficina del gobernador dice que solo alrededor de un tercio de los neoyorquinos con discapacidades están empleados, y el estado ocupa el puesto 38 a nivel nacional, en su tasa de empleo para este grupo de trabajadores. A través del presupuesto estatal anual, Hochul también está presionando para conseguir 240 millones de dólares en fondos adicionales para escuelas privadas que atienden a niños con discapacidades.

En una conferencia de prensa esta semana, Hochul dijo que su presupuesto ejecutivo 2022-2023 también exige decenas de miles de viviendas de apoyo para personas con discapacidades, como parte de su plan de vivienda accesible de 25 mil millones de dólares.

"Necesitamos asegurarnos en pensar en las personas donde están," dice Hochul. "Necesitan no solo tener un techo sobre sus cabezas, sino también a veces, servicios que les permitan subsistir en ese entorno."

Según la Oficina Federal de Estadísticas de Transporte, más de 25 millones de estadounidenses mayores de cinco años tienen algún tipo de discapacidad que puede limitar su capacidad para viajar. McLennon-Wier dice que la Directora de Discapacidad también tiene la tarea de eliminar las barreras para esas personas.

"Tener cualquier tipo de barreras dentro del sistema de transporte te va a impedir hacer las cosas mas básicas, como poder ir a votar, poder ir al supermercado para comprar comida y poder llegar a tiempo al trabajo," asegura McLennon-Wier.

En una declaración escrita, Hill dijo que espera "trabajar hacia un Nueva York más integrado, inclusivo y accesible". Hill ha ocupado muchos cargos en el gobierno estatal defendiendo a los neoyorquinos con discapacidades, y más recientemente con el Comité Permanente de Personas con Discapacidades de la Asamblea del Estado de Nueva York.

Connecticut disability rights advocates are concerned about state and federal barriers to employment.

At the state level, Medicaid is the only health care plan covering necessary care some people with disabilities might need. Beyond that, they could face high out-of-pocket costs.

Jonathan Sigworth, president and CEO of the nonprofit More Than Walking, feels states can reform their Medicaid buy-in programs. Connecticut's buy-in program has a $10,000 asset limit, which he said restricts a disabled person's ability to work.

"The system is currently set up so that if you have the health care you need, the policies prevent you from working," Sigworth pointed out. "You'd have to choose between the two, essentially, in some cases. Those policies are really detrimental."

Having a job could force someone over what advocates call the "benefits cliff," when a person gets a raise, has a kid with a part-time job, or some other income increase, which then makes them ineligible for certain benefits. Connecticut's General Assembly considered several bills during its last session to alter programs with benefits cliffs, though none were passed.

Beyond state policies, the upcoming election is also concerning for Sigworth. He's troubled by Project 2025, a policy outline for former President Donald Trump's possible second term. It calls for removing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's consent decree power in instances of employment discrimination.

Sigworth noted it would terminate a key way for people with disabilities to fight workplace discrimination.

"There's one party, one argument in this country that talks about cutting regulations and in the same breath saying we should protect people with disabilities," Sigworth contended. "It's using the disabled community as a token audience."

Though Trump disavowed Project 2025, some disability rights advocates remain uncertain since he repeatedly tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Project 2025 also calls for federal spending cuts to programs like the Equity in IDEA program, which encompasses all policies ensuring fair treatment and access for students with disabilities.


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New York disability rights advocates are voicing concerns about changes to what's known as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.

On October 1, New York State will contract with a single provider for the program.

CDPAP provides services for people who are chronically ill or have physical limitations and who need help with daily life. Gov. Kathy Hochul says the reason for the change is to cut high Medicaid costs.

But Sharon McLennon-Wier, Ph.D - executive director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York - predicted the move will have resounding impacts.

"Anyone with a disability that has this program could lose their home healthcare assistance - either from maybe neighbors or friends, or even family members," said McLennon-Wier, "and we already know that there's a home health-aide shortage all over the country."

Gov. Hochul noted the program has been subject to mismanagement, but critics say she didn't consult its leaders.

Several agencies supporting the idea of keeping CDPAP local have been cited by the New York State Comptroller for wage theft. But the provider set to take it over isn't much better.

Public Partnerships LLC had contracts terminated in five other states, and was subject to class-action lawsuits over home-care workers' pay in Pennsylvania.

Feedback from New Yorkers with disabilities has mostly been questions about CDPAP's future.

McLennon-Wier said she is among those waiting to see what happens next - as she said they've received little guidance from the governor's office.

She added that it can be frightening to possibly lose much-needed care.

"I think anyone who has to depend on someone for that day-to-day care," said McLennon-Wier, "to have to worry - especially if they live alone - is really something that, mentally, that a person in this situation shouldn't have to deal with."

A bill has been introduced in the New York State Legislature to curb these changes. If it passes, it would require any CDPAP provider to be licensed by the State Department of Health starting in 2026.

Currently, providers can operate without formal licensure.

Big Tex is up and the Ferris wheel is spinning at the 138th State Fair of Texas. And again, this year the Fair is making special accommodations for anyone who might be sensitive to the bright lights and loud sounds.

For the sixth year, the Fair is offering Sensory Friendly Mornings every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Taylor Pulfer, the fair's director of communications, said the program makes the event accessible for everyone.

"We turn down all of the flashy blinky lights, we turn down all of the sounds, you won't hear music throughout the grounds, even Big Tex's voice is lowered," Pulfer said, "and so it gives individuals who might struggle with sensory sensitivities an easier experience. "

The Fair has also created a special guided itinerary with a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. More information is available at BigTex.com/Sensory.

Around 2.3 million people attended the Fair during its 24-day run last year. The fairgrounds are open to the public on Sensory Friendly Mornings, but Pulfer said the Midway will be designated as a "quiet zone" during the special hours.

"We still can't take away all of the sounds that might be occurring out on the grounds, and we understand that there might be a situation where maybe you have a four-year-old child who has autism and he's just having a meltdown, and you need to step away," Pulfer said. "That's that place that we've created for you to take your child and be able to have a second to depressurize."

She said a restroom made specifically to accommodate people with disabilities will also be available on Wednesday mornings.

"That might need that extra changing space to assist, maybe, an adult with a disability," Pulfer said. "Think of all the sounds that come from a bathroom. You have your hand dryers, all of the flushing, all of the sinks, and so sometimes getting - like a child with autism - into a bathroom, that itself can cause the meltdown. "

The Fair runs through Oct. 20.


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