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Advocates for the disabled question candidates at Syracuse forum

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News
Candidates for office answer questions from the disabled community at a forum in Syracuse Monday

Advocates for the disabled are looking for help from candidates for office this election season. 

Every election season central New York groups like Disabled in Action, ARISE, and Aurora, pepper candidates with questions about issues dear to their community. This year, they say those issues are requiring urgent care.  

Sally Johnston, the Advocacy Coordinator for AccessCNY, says on the federal front, stability of Medicare and Medicaid is key. On the state front, Johnston said changes in state policy have created issues, especially when it comes to housing.

"We are facing a crisis in the area of developmental disabilities, with all the new changes, the waviers, etc. There’s a long waiting list of adults and their parents are aging out and where are they going to go."

Johnston says if nothing is done, many of these individuals will end up in nursing homes, which is not cost effective and not the right place for them.

Advocates also noted that many new apartment complexes are being built far away from bus lines, which makes transportation an even more tricky issue.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.