by Kate Fisher, KETCH
Wichita Kansas
People with disabilities in the Sunflower State have a new catch phrase to express their struggles – “Invisible Kansans.” It is part of an advocacy campaign designed to raise awareness and fight budget cuts to community based services. InterHab, a resource network which provides support for community service providers statewide, advocating for persons with developmental disabilities, launched the campaign in December of 2008 as a way to convey two key messages to law makers: reduce the state waiting list of almost 4,000 Kansans eligible for services, and increase wages for Direct Support Professionals to achieve parity with similar jobs at state institutions.
The Invisible Kansans campaign includes three online elements: a website with stories about persons waiting for services and a user-friendly database to look up and e-mail the user’s house representative, senator and Governor Sebelius a form letter; a cause on Facebook; and a collection of video and audio clips on YouTube. At the end of January, more than 3,000 e-mails had been sent to the state lawmakers, and more than 1,700 people had joined the Invisible Kansans cause on Facebook.
During a legislative session with a major budget crisis prevailing and a waning economy, when the main focus is how to slash budgets and cut services, DSPs remain united in their efforts to share the reality of their daily challenges. Many of the persons served already feel the effects of frequent staff turnover and reduced funding for programs and services. Direct Support Professionals feel it’s essential for the senators and house representatives to get a personal glimpse of the people whose lives they will impact with the decisions they make in the state capitol.
To see the faces and hear the stories of Invisible Kansans, check out these sites:
http://www.invisiblekansans.org/
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/171693?m=7bf7bab2
http://www.youtube.com/invisiblekansans
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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1 comment:
This is something that we here in Kansas have been fighting very hard for. I hope everyone who reads the post joins and offers support. I know the funding issues affect everyone all around the country, and we need to all join together to win the battle.
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