Disabilities Forum of Columbia Missouri

April 26, 2010

CONTACT:
Homer Page, Ph.D., author/owner
disabilitiesforum@gmail.com
573-446-0441

Maria Oropallo, Public Relations
disabilitiesforum@gmail.com
573-639-9696

(Columbia, MO) Dr. Robert McDavid, newly elected City of Columbia mayor, has agreed to meet with Columbia residents living with disabilities. The forum, sponsored by The Disabilities Forum project, the City's Disability Commission and Disability Media Inc. will be held on May 6, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Columbia City Council chambers. In addition to the new Mayor, Columbia's City Manager Bill Watkins and Parks and Recreation Department Director Mike Hood will also be in attendance.

There are no requirements to attend the session, only a sincere desire to dialogue with the City on programs that work, and programs that still need work. This will be the first opportunity for persons with disabilities to meet directly with the new Mayor. Dr. Homer Page, chair of the Disabilities Commission will facilitate the event

The City Council Chambers are on the first floor of the new City Administration Building at 8th Street and Broadway. All are invited to participate. For anyone wishing to submit questions before hand, they may do so at the Disabilities Forum blog at www.disabilitiesforum.net

This is the first of four forums to be held in 2010, where City leaders will dialogue with the disabilities community. Other topics to be discussed at later forums include city accessibility, housing and human services, and public safety and emergency preparedness.

This project is funded through a grant by the City of Columbia Public Communications Resources Advisory Committee.

For more information, please contact Homer Page at 573-446-0441.

Freedom of Speech vs Language

I just realized, I can call a mentally handicapped a whore and a bitch, even officers here, but if I use 'fowl' language like sh&* for example, I can be ejected from a meeting. What happened to 'freedom of speech', I feel a definition may be required???

Am I so wrong for being confused? Maybe I am.....

Advocacy, going silent....

Don't think I'm going to advocate anymore. It doesn't seem to effect me personally yet, then it will be different. We can tell Allot of people read this blog, but without comment. Without comment you can not reach a united future. Some of the Laws were posted, do with them as you will. For me, I am going back into my 'cave' until it concerns myself or loved ones. 3 (three weeks) or so it seemed to be getting better.

Without comments, it's tells me people don't really care, so I will NOT waste my time anymore on this B.S.

- Keith

HUD Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Definition of Homeless under HEARTH Act

On April 20, 2010 the Department of Housing & Urban Development will issue a proposed rule to define certain terms in the Homeless Emergency Assistance & Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act). The HEARTH Act defines the terms "homeless," "homeless individual," "homeless person," and "homeless individual with a disability," but these definitions contain terms that require clarification and input from the public.

This information has recently been updated, and can be read by visiting this link:
http://www.disability.gov/housing/laws_%26_regulations

Looking Good Here At Paquin!

Thanks to April and management, it's looking good around here! I see people getting along, have not heard any 'stories'. Bless the peacefulness, and some of the fun is coming back!


- Keith

Let's all live together as a healthy community!

I would like to thank CHA management, and especially April and Clair for their first attempt at clearing up some issues here. The theme to me was, "respect and live and let live" That is my own interpretation. Also all the facilitators!

Peace,

- Keith

Missouri Senate panel approves cuts to mental health

Hundreds of Missouri residents could be denied mental health services under spending cuts approved Wednesday by a Senate committee trying to close a projected shortfall in next year's budget.

The Senate Appropriations Committee endorsed a 10 percent reduction in state aid for alcohol and drug abuse treatment, psychiatric care and crisis services for people with developmental disabilities.

State budget director Linda Luebbering said the cuts are supported by Gov. Jay Nixon, whose staff has been working with senators to close a $500 million gap in the nearly $23.9 billion budget he proposed. Lawmakers have until May 7 to pass a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The budget passed previously by the House was $200 million less than the plan Nixon outlined in January. Senators are looking to make deeper cuts because of uncertainty over whether Missouri will receive an additional $300 million of federal stimulus money. Nixon originally proposed to spend that questionable money next year, but he now prefers to save it until 2012, when the state's budget problems are expected to be even worse.

The Senate committee already has approved cuts in aid to public colleges and universities, busing for K-12 school districts and the Parents as Teachers early childhood development program, among other things. But the cuts Wednesday to mental health services were among the hardest to make, said Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis.

"We're really cutting people's lives here," Green said.

Source and More:
http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2010/04/08/news_state/nt267state27mental10.txt#blogcomments

Added Note: It is always the disabled who are made to suffer the most when it comes to budget cutting.