Approximately 4 million Americans have developmental disabilities. Some children
with high needs, and others at age 21 move into the special needs and adult
services category and should receive services through "Home and Community-based
Waivers." In almost all states waivers are not fully funded. This results in
waitlists and lack of portability of services from one state to another and one
county to another.

The waitlist time periods can be anywhere from five to thirty years long (or
more), depending upon the state and the type of service needed, such as job
services, a community-based program, intensive medical needs, or a secure home
in which to live.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals are on waitlists for Waiver services. Few
families can afford to pay out-of-pocket for these services (an average of
$35,000 - $75,000) per year for host or group home placements because parents
have had to leave careers to care for their children and pay for large medical
bills.

This petition is designed to get the attention and action by National Leaders
and the President to resolve this problem.


SIGN THE PETITION HERE: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/noewait.html

***PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS MESSAGE, INCLUDING THIS REQUEST TO CIRCULATE IT
FURTHER, TO ALL LISTSERVS IN WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED AND TO ALL OF YOUR
FRIENDS.***