On July 4, Contra Costa Seniors and People with Disabilities Celebrate Their Independence and Hope It Will Last

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

With canes, wheelchairs and walkers, they participate in Danville’s Independence Day Parade and educate voters about proposed state cuts that would take away their independence

By Jessica Rothhaar
Northern California Organizer
Health Access California

With flags fluttering from theirs walkers and wheelchairs, carrying signs saying “We Love Our Independence, Too” and “We Are Your Sons and Daughters,” dozens of Contra Costa area residents with disabilities asked parade-goers to support funding for critical programs that enable them to live independently. Four days into the new fiscal year and with no budget resolution in sight, the advocates participating in today’s parade asked voters to call on Assemblymember Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) to work with his legislative colleagues from both sides of the aisle to find a resolution that will protect the state’s most vulnerable.

Disability advocates said today that the budget proposal put forward in May by Governor Schwarzenegger is unacceptable, saying it amounts to stripping seniors of the right to live independently and with dignity. In Contra Costa County, the Governor’s proposal would mean:

• 46,000 seniors and people with disabilities in Contra Costa will have their health care and adult day health programs cut and lose coverage for dental, vision, podiatry, hearing aids, mental health and speech therapy for stroke victims.

• 25,000 seniors and people with disabilities in Contra Costa will have their Social Security (SSI/SSP) disability benefits cut. The SSI benefit is currently $870/month.

• 13,000 Contra Costa children and adults with developmental disabilities such as autism and mental retardation will have their caregiver and support services cut.

• 900 frail elderly and people with physical disabilities in Contra Costa who depend on In-Home Support Services (IHSS) caregivers to do their shopping, prepare meals and assist with bathing, feeding and toileting, will have their care hours cut, and their caregivers will have their hourly wages cut from $10.75 to $8.00 per hour.