Законодатели Нью-Йорка призывают усилить защиту прав инвалидов перед угрозой сокращения федеральных субсидий

We’re all familiar with the fable about the frog in the pot of water. Put the frog in boiling water and it jumps right out. But put it in cool water and gradually turn up the heat, it doesn’t feel the slow change in temperature until it’s too late for it to save itself. If New York state and our representatives in Congress ignore the signs coming from the federal government regarding the independence of the disabled, it might be too late to protect them. The time is now — not later — for the state Legislature and the governor to solidify existing protections and ensure families have the support, legal safeguards and financial capacity to keep their disabled family members living among their families and friends in their local communities. On Monday, the federal government turned up the heat by announcing a proposed resolution to a lawsuit filed by three states that would remove requirements that states provide community and integrated services for the disabled or risk losing federal funding. The requirement forces states to serve the disabled by helping them live fulfilled lives in community settings such as daytime care facilities, schools and adult group homes — while retaining a degree of independence. If states no longer have to meet the mandate, these individuals could be placed in institutions, away from the support and comfort of their families, friends and familiar surroundings. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Justice turned the knob up with a memo that raised questions about the disability law requiremen t. Monday’s action turned up the heat even more. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who has an adult son with autism, has seen the pot coming to a boil for months, and is sounding the alarm. He said Thursday that he would like to see Gov. Kathy Hochul prioritize protections for the disabled in her State of the State message in January. He also said state lawmakers should focus on four main goals. They include protecting choices and independence; not allowing state protections to regress by keeping key protections in place; stepping up state enforcement of its laws in anticipation of federal protections disappearing; and taking steps to prevent disabled individuals from being institutionalized because of the federal changes. State action also could include holding hearings on the developments. This cruel approach by the federal government to remove protections and funding requirements for those in need won’t stop at the disabled, Santabarbara warned. He said it eventually will affect all of our lives in some way, through the removal of protections for injured and disabled veterans, elder New Yorkers suffering from mental decline and others. If state officials don’t solidify protections, and if our federal representatives don’t step in to limit the changes, we will all find ourselves in hot water —sooner than we realize.