Most parents of special needs children know about wait lists. There’s wait lists to get into therapy, multiplied by the variety of therapies needed. Wait lists for specialized recreational programs, doctor’s offices, to get into a preferred school and the ultimate wait list of the special needs world...the wait list to help provide for overall services for your child. Wait lists are not only for children, but for adults with disabilities. Services that are needed can also include job services, community-based programs, intensive medical needs or even a secure home in which to live*.
With precious time slipping by, one family (my family) has moved from number 375 on the wait list, to number 246 in two years. Two years. That’s two years of services and programs that could not be accessed. Two years of a developing child’s life passing by, keeping much needed programs that could help him reach his potential and change the ultimate outcome of the quality of his life within site, and perpetually out of reach. Currently, there are four million (4,000,000) Americans that have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over 300,000 individuals with disabilities are on years-long waiting lists for vital services, with the average wait list being 5 - 30 years long or more*. To say that this is frustrating would be far from inadequate; heart-wrenching, mind numbing, perplexing and hopeless are all appropriate descriptors.
Maybe your family is waiting for your number to be up so you can finally get that one program you’ve had your eye on. Maybe you’re a family member, friend, neighbor or acquaintance of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability. Maybe that person is on the wait list now as a child, maybe he will be in the future as an adult. Or, possibly he won’t. Did you know you could help?
The National Organization to End the Waitlist (NOEWAIT) “is a grass-roots, national... movement organized to ensure full opportunity, choices, freedom, and self-determination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community by eliminating wait lists for services in every state.”* Currently NOEWAIT has over 11,000 signers on their Petition to End the Waitlist, with a goal of 20,000 signers before directing The Petition to End the Waitlist to the President and Members of Congress.
Rarely are you presented with the ability to literally change the outcome of several hundreds of thousands of people’s lives with a simple action. Rarely are you presented with the ability to assist in the therapies, care, medical needs, community programs and surroundings of one of the most vulnerable groups of people by clicking to a few links, reading the information and then cyber-signing your name. This is one of those rare opportunities. Won’t you spread the word and help End the Waitlist?
For More Information:
?The National Organization to End the Waitlist
NOEWAIT Petition
Keep informed by emailing noewait@noewait.net - subject, “Keep me informed.” ?
Mail completed petitions to:
PO Box 411,
Parker, CO 80134
Fax to 303 689-9221 ?-or scan and email to noewait@noewait.net
*Statements taken from NOEWAIT site.
Do you have an article idea, a resource or other information you’d like to share with the special needs community? Email me at GinaStAubin (at) comcast (dot) net.
Comments
It must be awful, as a parent, to watch time tick by.
I am curious how NOEWAIT proposes to end waitlists. Seems like a complex issue of how to ration a limited resource to what seems like an ever-growing need.
Every person has a right to have basic needs met. I want to help. I signed and I am spreading the word. Thank you for the opportunity!
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