Getting Our Priorities Straight
What are the most important issues or problems facing people with disabilities
in New Mexico? And what should Protection and Advocacy System be doing about
these concerns?
At P&A, we ask this question every year. We don't have enough staff
or funding to deal with all the problems we see or hear about. So we identify
problems or concerns that we will focus on during the year. We call them
our priorities, and we use most of our resources to address them. We take
individual cases that involve these problems, we try to work with state
agencies and the legislature to resolve them, and we provide outreach and
training to people interested in them.
Unfortunately, this also means that problems or concerns that are not within
our priorities don't get as much attention. We can always provide information,
referral, or self-help advice, but we don't accept cases that are not within
the priorities.
That makes it very important that we do a good job of setting our priorities.
And that's where YOU come in. We need to hear from consumers, family members,
other advocates, service providers, and anyone else interested in disability
issues.
We are proposing the following goals and priorities for FY 2000 (for us,
this begins October 1, 1999). FY 2000 is the third year of our three year
planning cycle. We are in the process of developing specific objectives
within each priority. Let us know if you would like a copy of this more
detailed proposal. Also, look for an announcement soon about public hearings
on our proposed priorities.
In the meantime, though, let us know whether you think we've identified
the most important issues. If your major concern is not covered, let us
know! The P&A Board of Directors will be taking final action on the
priorities in late September, and changes can be made based on the feedback
we get. Contact us by phone, mail, e-mail, fax or even in person!
I. ABUSE/NEGLECT
People with disabilities are free from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
A. Effective Investigations of allegations of abuse or neglect by the State
of New Mexico.
B. Prevention of Abuse/Neglect in state-funded programs, nursing homes,
and in private treatment and residential facilities.
C. Targeted Investigations by P&A to determine if state investigations
and response are meeting the needs of people with disabilities.
II. COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
Adequate community-based services and supports are available based on need,
appropriate to the individual, provided by qualified agencies/individuals,
consumer-controlled, and promote independence, productivity, inclusion,
and community integration.
A. Quality Assurance in community-based disability services.
B. Access to Least Restrictive Placements for persons on waiting lists or
at risk of placement into overly restrictive settings.
C. Assistive Technology
D. Access to Community Facilities which are not currently accessible.
III. EDUCATION
Students with disabilities reach their planned educational goals based on
individual need, and have equal access to educational opportunities in their
neighborhood schools.
A. Suspension/Expulsion
B. Auxiliary Aids and Services
IV. EMPLOYMENT-GENERAL
Adults with disabilities obtain and maintain employment consistent with
their interests, abilities, and needs.
A. Employment Discrimination due to not providing accommodations.
B. Integrated Employment instead of sheltered employment or day activity
V. EMPLOYMENT - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Persons with disabilities are aware of their rights to services under the
Rehabilitation Act and receive appropriate services for which they are eligible.
A. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Eligibility
B. Full Array of Services needed to achieve vocational goals.
VI. HEALTH CARE - GENERAL
Health care services are readily available, affordable, accessible, and
accountable.
A. Managed Care interfering with access to needed care.
B. Assistive Technology
VII. HEALTH CARE - MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES
Persons with mental illness receive quality mental health treatment in residential
facilities without violation of their rights under state and federal law.
A. Due Process when involuntary commitment and treatment is proposed.
B. Assault, including physical or sexual abuse.
C. Psychotropic Medication used inappropriately.
D. Seclusion and Restraint.
E. Detention and Correctional Facilities: that do not identify and treat
persons with disabilities or divert them to appropriate placements.
VIII. HOUSING
Adults with disabilities choose where and with whom to live, consistent
with their economic means.
A. Fair Housing Enforcement (Contingent on additional funding).
IX. SELF DETERMINATION
Persons with disabilities develop and maintain the maximum feasible control
over decisions affecting their lives, and over the exercise of their civil
rights, consistent with their age and capacity.
A. Guardianship Orders challenged if inappropriately restrictive.
B. DNR Orders not imposed in a discriminatory fashion.