Disability Options Network News

By BOB WATSON
Jefferson News Tribune

The Americans With Disabilities Act has helped improve Missourians’ lives, Gov. Matt Blunt said Wednesday.

During a Truman Building ceremony commemorating the 15th anniversary of thefederal law’s signing, Blunt said: “We only have to look around (to) see how far we’ve really come in our society in our efforts to assist those with disabilities.”

Blunt predicted that changes being made in accessibility in schools “will carry our young people forward into a future in which they see those with disabilities as equals in every regard, with unique and valuable contributions to make.”

Daniel P. Card II, 57, a St. Louis lawyer who chairs the Governor’s Council on Disabilities, has experienced physical problems since his birth.

He said the ADA has improved life for all Americans.

“I believe that much of the general public believes that it’s all about mortars and bricks and believes that it is giving something to (the disabled) that others don’t have,” Card said. “But how many pregnant women or women or men with strollers and young children now take advantage of doors automatically opening, and wheelchair ramps?’”

But some disabled Missourians say this year’s budget cuts forced Missouri to take a step backward.

About a dozen members of the group “Show Me ADAPT” came to hear Blunt’s speech to the Disabilities Council.

A flyer they distributed accused Blunt of “the height of hypocrisy” because of the cuts in Medicaid services and other budget measures.

“I personally have lost my job because of it,” said Bob Pund of Columbia, confined to a wheelchair since an accident 16 years ago. “The Independent Living Center that I worked for had to lay off five people.”

In his speech, Blunt acknowledged budget cuts had forced changes in state programs.

“I do not believe that those reductions should impact the good work or the important function of the council,” Blunt said. “I would state again that those reductions were necessary to enact a balanced budget that lives within the means of Missouri taxpayers.”

After his speech, Blunt gave Card a proclamation honoring the ADA anniversary, then left the meeting room through a door opposite where the Show Me ADAPT members were waiting.

Pund said Blunt has declined to meet with disabled advocates.

“To truly understand what is going on, I think he needs to talk with the people who are affected by the cuts,” Pund explained. “Without really giving 100 percent of your ear to people with disabilities, you’re not going to truly reform Medicaid the way it needs to be — to have a cheaper or more effective program that really helps people.”