The Arc of Washington State is partnering with other Human Services groups, to let Governor Gregoire know the cuts she proposes  simply cannot happen.

Candlelight Vigil on the Capitol Campus
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 4 - 6pm

Where: Legislative Building, facing the library/sundial.
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia, WA, 98504

Dress warm!  
Candles will be provided!

Visit facebook to see the event hosted by the Arc's facebook page (Hosted by WA State Arc):  here

The documents showing all the cuts are on the OFM web site 

The two agencies we are monitoring are:

•  the Division of Developmental Disabilities under DSHS    
• Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

To see a full list of the cuts that affect individuals with developmental disabilities and their families along with helpful descriptions of the effects of the cuts, please visit the page on our website devoted to DDD and Medicaid budget cuts.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has published proposed regulations to change the mental impairments "listings".

These are the criteria used to help determine whether an individual with intellectual disability, mental illness, autism, Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury, or other cognitive or mental disorders is disabled for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or the Social Security disability programs.

The Arc and UCP have carefully reviewed these regulations and believe they make a number of significant improvements for people with disabilities. We are finalizing our comments and urge that you comment directly to SSA on the following key points:

1. Terminology. Thank SSA for proposing a transition to using the term "intellectual disability" and urge SSA to drop the use of the term "mental retardation" altogether with clear instructions that the terms have the same meaning and cover the same people.