Disability Rights Legislative Day calls Missouri to action

By Kat Ramkumar, Missouri News Network

Around 500 Missourians with disabilities and their loved ones gathered at the Capitol to garner support for disability rights on Wednesday.

This is the 24th year that disability-based activist organizations and coalitions have come together to rally for better transportation, health care access, employment opportunities and increased wages for direct support professionals.

Leigh Anne Haun, director of policy advocacy at Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council, helped organize the event. She said she believes it is important for lawmakers to build relationships with constituents who have disabilities.

“Disability barriers are a nonpartisan issue. It’s an access and support issue, which has an outcome,” Haun said. “Each year, I hope to see increased connections with members and their representatives.”

Gov. Mike Kehoe and State Treasurer Vivek Malek spoke at a rally hosted by the groups.

“We have elected officials who very much want to work with you to make sure Missouri is the place to be,” Kehoe said.

In January, Kehoe outlined around $129.8 million in his $53.7 billion budget for the Department of Mental Health to eliminate waiting lists for developmental disabilities and behavioral health services.

Lori Burch, the CFO of United Cerebral Palsy Heartland, wants better support for both her clients and her staff.

“Over the last year, there’s been a waiting list for clients to actually get a Medicaid waiver and when they don’t, they’re stuck and home, isolated and depressed,” Burch said. “We’re also asking for a 1.6% wage increase.”

Medicaid pays direct support professional members around $17 an hour. UCP Heartland pays employees around $20 an hour, so that wage gap is currently being filled with funds from donors, Burch said.

Tia Henry, a direct support professional who serves as a house manager, and client Tashawna Walker were at the rally to advocate for equal access.

“Missouri needs to do a better job of listening to people with disabilities and pay workers better,” Walker said. “It starts with fixing potholes. Transportation has been an issue and it’s hard for people to come in for help.”

Anna Montaldo, the founder of CP Life, a social media disability awareness brand, said the rally is a way to speak up.

“I’m disabled, and I’m here fighting for my personal rights,” Montaldo said. “It’s important for Medicaid to stay.”

Mark Satterwhite, adviser with People First Boone County, said this year his organization hosted the most self-advocates in a long time.

“The playing field has never been level for people with disabilities. This is an opportunity for them to meet with their legislatures and put a face to the need for support,” Satterwhite said.

“Every year, we carry forward the message that we belong,” he said. “We are here. We are human beings who deserve to participate in all aspects of community life.”