“I want to put a face with their names because they re real people,” Tobia said.
Both of her brothers live in a group home and are fully vaccinated. Billy, however, has a severe case of cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment, along with a very complex seizure disorder.
Tobia said, due to the state’s delay on updating group home COVID-19 guidelines, Billy still isn t able to attend his day-hab program.
“There were months and months that Billy didn t even leave his group home. Months he sat there,” Tobia said.
Assemblymember Melissa Miller (r) and her son Oliver.
Credit Melissa Miller
Advocates say state COVID-19 restrictions for group homes should be eased
News 12 Staff
Updated on:May 07, 2021, 3:32pm EDT
As COVID-19 restrictions loosen for most in New York, advocates say freedoms for those in group homes are lagging behind.
The New York Alliance for Developmental Disabilities held a news conference Friday about state restrictions for group homes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccinated people no longer have to quarantine if exposed, but those living in group homes are required to do so for 14 days.
Advocates of people with special needs say the lockdowns have already caused immeasurable mental harm to these individuals, and they re calling for the same freedoms as everyone else.
Families angry that relatives in NY group homes remain isolated
NY group homes
Many families who have loved ones living in group homes are so frustrated that New York officials haven t revised COVID guidelines to be in line with the CDC s recommendations.
NEW YORK - Laura Tobia s brother, Billy, has severe cerebral palsy and lives in a group home.
COVID-19 restrictions are continuing to prevent him from participating in any outside programs and services he critically needs. I m scratching my head trying to figure out why there are theaters opening, Tobia said. There are fairs that are about to happen and festivals and sporting events and music events and my brother has been sitting at home.