Editorial: Improve services for the disabled

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 | 9:08 a.m.

It's fair to judge federal, state and local governments according to their measure of support for mentally and physically disabled citizens who need in-home assistance as well as help with transportation and employment. An important obligation of government is to help disabled people as they work to reach their full potential.

Some disabled people need nothing more than existing laws that guarantee access for them as they use sidewalks and enter buildings. Others need extra help, such as the availability of specially equipped vans to take them to work, appointments or on other outings. Many people need even much more help to avail themselves of the quality of life that non-disabled people take for granted. Private care is simply out of reach for most disabled people, whose income potential is oftentimes diminished by their disability.

This is why the full 2003 Legislature should act on the recommendations of one of its committees. Chaired by Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, the committee has reviewed a report by a nationally known consultant who ranked Nevada's support for the disabled at the bottom when compared to other states. The committee is recommending that the state create a new position -- an ombudsman who would review conditions being experienced by the disabled and work toward improving them. The committee is also recommending that issues affecting disabled people be handled by a separate state agency, which could offer services more efficiently. Another suggestion is a statewide hotline.

Nevada has budget crises, but so do all of the other states. It's time our priorities were shifted so that services affecting deserving people are not ranked at the bottom.