Assemblymember Cahill's Able Column - Passage of Measure to Ensure New Yorkers with Disabilities are Integrated into our Communities - August 2002

As I am sure many of you know by now, both the Assembly and the Senate recently passed legislation (A.9913B/S.7342A) designed to increase opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages who wish to live at home and participate in their communities rather than residing in institutional settings. Finally, New York is calling on Governor Pataki to end the assessment systems in New York which inappropriately steer residents into nursing homes and other institutions. The measure, sponsored by myself in the Assembly and Senator George Maziarz in the Senate, creates a Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council, which will develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure that people of all ages with disabilities receive the services they need in the most integrated settings possible.

After last year's Task Force hearing and meetings with the Council to Implement Olmstead in New York in February, it is clear that our state remains non-compliant with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead vs. L.C. decision, which states that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions is discriminatory and could be considered a violation of a person's civil rights. This initiative will be a giant step forward in this respect, and is something that absolutely could not have been accomplished without the joining of the disability and senior communities to provide a united front speaking out for the enforcement of this groundbreaking court decision.

I am pleased that Senator Maziarz and the entire New York State Senate have joined me in this mission. Governor Pataki's signature to our bill is the only thing missing before New York can join the great majority of other states in upholding this important ADA requirement. I urge you all to continue your great advocacy by contacting the Governor to have your voices heard on this very important issue. Be sure to let him know you vote - as we draw near another election day, every vote counts, as does every opinion. Together, we have done great work in the past, and we will continue to do great work in the future.

Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill is the Chair of the New York State Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities. Anyone with questions, comments or suggestions can reach the Task Force office at 518-455-4592 or by email at cahillk@assembly.state.ny.us.