for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com april 25, 2013 • The CourieR SUN 19 oped street talk What do you think the city should do to ensure safety at the NYC Marathon? Maybe they could ban backpacks, but I think New York does a great job with protection. We’ve been there before; we know what to do. Darcy Schecht BY ROSA MICHAELS I don’t think there is much anyone can do. These people can look like anyone. Frank Angilly What they do right now is phenomenal. They do a lot to protect us. Debbie Lovis I think that’s very difficult to do these days. I have a friend in the police department; I know it’s difficult to ensure safety. We might need police in plain clothes and FBI too. Susan Philips I think there should be more security. Jim Cohen I think we need more security and find out more about people going to school in our country. It’s scary. Denise Angilly I think what they’re implementing this week in the city, the clear plastic bags, is a good idea. I think everything should be in a clear plastic bag so you can see exactly what everyone’s carrying. Guy C. VISIT QueensCourier.com TELL US WHAT YOU THINK... IDENTIFY THIS PLACE To find out the answer to last week’s “Identify this place” please visit www.QueensCourier.com I think we need more police and bag checks. Taisha M. ENSURE SERVICES ARE THERE BY PETER SMER GUT The word “autism” conjures up many images and emotions. We have all witnessed the pandemic growth of this disability and it is hard to keep track of the incidents among newborns. Whether you subscribe to the 1/88 births or the more recent 1/50 births, the facts are clear, this is an extraordinary event. As we celebrate Autism Awareness month, it comes to mind that we are grappling with a phenomenon for which we have no current solution. The rate among newborn infants dwarfs comparison to any other disability grouping. What has brought us to this point is of great conjecture and much is being done in the way of research and education. But as this population works its way to maturity, one wonders what supports they will have when they leave the comfort and security of the school system where services are mandated and supports are readily available. The adult sector poses a whole new set of unique challenges and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s most recent budget cuts of 4 ½ percent to the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities gives us a clue to the future. New York State has a long, proud history of providing support for people with all types of needs. Most recently, however, opportunities for the development of community residences have been eliminated as one of these options. Agencies such as Life’s WORC and its sister organizations have long been asked to do more with less and quite frankly, most of us have gotten very good at it. It has been made clear that the old ways of doing business are gone and that we will have to adapt to a new fiscal environment. Most organizations who support individuals with disabilities embrace this challenge but we encourage those in power to realize that the services currently provided did not emerge overnight. It is our hope that the dismantling and redesign of this system will be given the opportunity to develop new alternatives consistent with the needs of each individual’s level of support. Clearly there are different ways to provide supports and it is our intention to take advantage of whatever opportunities exist in this new philosophy. Given the extraordinary growth in the number of individuals that will need to be served over the next few decades it is however an ethical and moral dilemma that will confront public policy makers. What will be the role of government in helping to support thousands of families as they confront this personal crisis? Willowbrook did not happen overnight it was a lack of governmental will and poorly managed public policy that eventually led to its demise. As we move ahead in this transformational milieu it is important to remember not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Peter Smergut is CEO of Life’s WORC, whose mission is to provide services that facilitate an independent and productive life experience for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism.
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