New Jersey has a bad reputation in the disability community. It is being sued for violating The Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and some N.J. institutions are responsible for the injuries and unwarranted deaths of several residents. N.J. also has the highest rate of autism diagnoses in the United States. According to the 2009 census, out of 8.7 million residents, over 1.3 million are disabled. Enter Republican Governor Chris Christie.
Let’s face it; Gov. Christie doesn’t have to do much to improve on past administrations. But will he go beyond that and begin to solve the problems that are worsening with each passing decade? There are many disability advocates keeping an eye on this since New Jersey institutionalizes more disabled citizens than almost every other state — the exceptions being Texas and California. Ethan Ellis, one of the state’s most respected and involved disabled citizens is watching and reporting. Mr. Ellis recently analyzed a report released by Gov. Christie’s office that outlined their plan over the next 4 to 8 years. There are definitely promising aspects.
The Governor plans on closing New Lisbon and Woodbridge Developmental Centers and putting the money into community supports. This represents a start in New Jersey catching up to the rest of the country in treating its disabled citizens with dignity and respect. Another highlight is the governor’s plan to combine the Division of Disability Service; an agency that deals with adult onset disabilities, with The Division of Developmental Disabilities that deals with children’s disabilities. According to Ellis, this merger “reflect(s) our growing understanding that it is more efficient, effective and equitable to organize supports by functional need, not diagnosis or age.”
The Governor’s team plans to follow through on the former Children and Families commissioner, Kimberly Ricketts’ idea to phase out 18 schools serving disabled children, teen parents and children with behavioral problems. Rather than being a simple cost-cutting measure, including students with disabilities in the same schools as their non-disabled peers removes barriers and enables all students, including previously excluded groups, to learn and participate effectively within the general school system. Former Governor Jon Corzine blocked this as part of a deal to protect union jobs.
Forward thinking? Yes. Is it a step in the right direction? You bet. Keep it up Gov. Christie and you might move N.J. up more than just one rung on the disability ladder.
7 responses so far
1 kevin47 // Feb 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm
This is great. I think being conservative means committing to protecting those who cannot protect themselves, first and foremost.
2 Carney // Feb 5, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Sigh. More classrooms dominated and disrupted by those who demand special time and attention, and more ordinary children being shortchanged. Of course if you complain you’re accused of “bigotry” by a screeching emotionally intense exhaustively relentless lobby.
3 MikeZero // Feb 5, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Yeah, that’s the problem with the education system today… those darn special needs kids. /sarc
The fact is that when the proper supports are in place, these children are no more disruptive than your so-called “ordinary” children. Further, as the author stated, studies show that inclusive education benefits all children. (see http://eric.hoagiesgifted.org/faq/i-long.html )
For the record, I don’t think you’re a bigot. Most people simply don’t have the facts.
I’m sure we agree that the system needs fixing. However, inclusive education is not the problem.
Regards,
MZ
4 Carney // Feb 5, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Teacher time and attention is a zero sum game. Time spent rehashing basic material yet again for the very slow, let alone trying to soothe someone troubled or lacking basic social skills or self-control, is time robbed from everyone else. As for claiming that somehow their presence enhances the education of normal children, that is the worst kind of feel good nonsense.
5 MikeZero // Feb 5, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I’m sorry but you don’t understand the situation and I fear that trying to explain would take more time than I’m willing to spend on someone I don’t know. Did you even read the link I posted? If you are truly interested in learning about inclusive education, there’s lots of information out there for those willing to look.
Best,
MZ
6 ethanellis // Feb 6, 2010 at 2:49 pm
The headline on Dana’s blog doesn’t reflect my sentiments or those of others with disabilities, but as she emailed me, she didn’t pick it. Most of us with disabilities here are quite apprehensive about how his administration will treat us – that’s not because he’s a Republican, have worked directly with the last 8 governors and got more done with Rs than Ds.
No, we’re worried about the state’s fiscal mess – an $8 to $10 billion dollar hole in a $27 billion budget. How he carries out the changes Dana describes will determine whether they help us or not. If he’s just interested in savings and doesn’t reform the system, we will be hurt badly.
Most Americans are unaware of the magnitude of the problems people with disabilities face. Because most of the services they need are mandated, only one in five get them. The other four live in poverty, locked up in substandard, inaccessible homes they leave. Unable to get private insurance because of pre-existing, they’re forces onto Medicaid, which limits how much the can earn to less than $12,000.
7 Novidades 8/2 | Inclusive // Feb 7, 2010 at 10:17 pm
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