Hundreds Rally For Disabled

Hundreds of people gathered in Doylestown on Saturday to protest funding cuts for programs that help disabled Pennsylvanians.

They protested at the Bucks County courthouse "to speak out for those who can’t speak out for themselves."

Organized by The Arc Alliance, the protest was designed to raise awareness for what the state budget crisis means for Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and stand up for those who suffer most from these cuts.

"Governor Corbett’s budget affects our most vulnerable citizens – children and adults with intellectual disabilities – by cutting over $146 million in support and services for families," the group said in a statement. "Even though he calls for a 3.9% increase in funds for state centers/institutions, there is a bigger story to tell."
 
Some of the proposed cuts (which will top several years of continuous cuts) include:
 

• 20% cut in Human Services Development Fund – 10th consecutive year of cuts totaling a 71% reduction in that timeframe
• No funding for 16,000 Pennsylvanians with special needs, 3,500 of whom qualify for emergency status
• 5% cut in Autism Intervention Services
• Cutting 80,000 children from medical insurance
• Cutting funding for group homes and in-home services, pushing individuals into the most costly and segregated state centers/institutions

For more information, visit the group's website.