The time to implement the Lifespan Waiver is now | Letter
A recent op-ed about the new Lifespan Waiver applauded the goals of the waiver, while suggesting that its implementation be paused due to concerns that it will not achieve its goals (“Maine DHHS should pause Lifespan Waiver,” July 31).
The Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board is tasked with providing guidance around improving services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so it is disappointing that they would take such a position, given that the Lifespan Waiver is one of the most fundamental improvements to the service system we have seen in a long time.
As Maine’s protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Disability Rights Maine believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have waited long enough for true system reform. The time to move forward with the Lifespan Waiver is now.
The current system is in dire need of reform. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve access to the broader array of services that Lifespan offers, including residential supports that will give them options other than group homes (which will still be available), as well as robust employment supports and support to help build real relationships in people’s communities.
The Lifespan Waiver is the result of years of input from people with disabilities, their families and other stakeholders regarding the barriers people face to true community inclusion. The theoretical concerns raised in the op-ed are not reasons to pause Lifespan.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have waited long enough for services that allow true community inclusion. The time for change is now.
Lauren Wille
Legal director, Disability Rights Maine
Augusta
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Tagged: letter to the editor
