|
4:20 p.m., Dec. 23, 2002---Concerned about housing, transportation, health care, employment and other community services for persons with disabilities? Public comment on these topics, as well as suggestions about how assistive technology can best improve the quality of life for those with disabilities, are sought at a series of public meetings to be held at three sites in Delaware during January.
Both the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) and the Commission on Community-Based Alternatives for People with Disabilities will hold separate public forums concurrently at three Delaware Technical & Community College campuses across the state.
- 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the DelTech Terry Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Dover;
- 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan 8, at the DelTech Stanton Campus, 400 Stanton Christiana Rd., Newark;
- 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, at the DelTech Owens Campus, 165 Jason Technology Center, Route 18, Georgetown.
- Cosponsored by UD’s Center for Applied Science & Engineering and the A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children, DATI is compiling a report for the Delaware General Assembly describing the needs of people with disabilities for vehicle modifications, home modifications and assistive technologies for mobility, communication, learning, seeing, hearing and participation in home and community life. DATI will include these comments in its report to the General Assembly. Besides the hearings, comments also can be submitted to DATI by e-mail to [mineo@asel.udel.edu], or mailed to Ray Miller, Assistive Technology Policy Committee Chair, Delaware Transit Corporation, 900 Public Safety Blvd., Dover, DE 19901.
- The Commission on Community-Based Alternatives for People with Disabilities is seeking public comment on its draft “Community-Based Alternatives” report. Each of the commission’s public meetings will include presentations at 5 and 6:30 pm. Public comments gathered the meetings will be included in the commission’s final report to the Delaware General Assembly.
- Composed of persons with disabilities, service providers and community advocates, the commission began in an effort to publicize the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, which challenged states to develop more opportunities for individuals with disabilities through quality, accessible and cost-effective community-based services. Focusing on employment, transportation, residential opportunities and health care, the commission’s report includes a review of the public and private sector community-based options and services, as well as assessments of those service areas that appear to be barriers to full access to the community.
- “Implementing community-based options is socially, morally and fiscally responsible and benefits the community as a whole,” Rita Landgraf, co-chair of the Commission for Community-Based Alternatives for People with Disabilities, said. Rep. Robert J. Valihura (R-Talleyville), sponsor of the resolution that created the commission, also co-chairs.
For more information on the commission or its public meetings, call (302) 831-3150. Call by Jan. 3 to arrange for sign language interpreters or other special provisions for the public meetings. Comments on community-based alternatives can also be e-mailed to [CBACommission@hotmail.com].
-
-
-
-
-
- Article by Larry Elveru
|
