Come next year, people with developmental disabilities in New Mexico may not be able to find the help they need - because of a severe labor shortage in the field. Agencies are struggling to find workers to staff group homes, help with daily living, help clients find jobs, and more. Jim Copeland, executive director of the Association of Developmental Disability Community Providers in New Mexico, said the state needs to increase the amount it reimburses providers - so the agencies can pay workers more per hour - and thus attract and retain more employees. .
With absentee voting under way, election season has arrived in Missouri, but voters with disabilities still face challenges. While poll workers can assist voters with disabilities if they request help, advocates believe accessibility methods and technology should make voting more independent. The state has a number of methods in place to help voters with disabilities access the polls. .
In an appeal to the public as Hurricane Ian barreled toward Florida, an advocate for persons with disabilities urged everyone to consider checking in with neighbors, friends or family members who may benefit from a helping hand. Mandy Bianchi, executive director of the group Ability1st, wrote a column in the Tallahassee Democrat published the morning before the then-Category 4 storm made landfall in Southwest Florida, explaining those who are vulnerable have a lot more to consider during hurricane preparedness, including obstacles such as getting emergency notification and transportation; evacuation; sheltering; access to medications, refrigeration, and backup power. "For people who need oxygen or a CPAP machine or anything along those lines, if we lose power that is really a frightening situation for people who rely on those type of devices," Bianchi pointed out. " .
Nearly a dozen Iowa youths with disabilities are taking newly developed leadership skills out into the world. A summer academy wrapped up this month, and organizers say this year s class displayed impressive strength in self-advocacy. The Youth Leadership Academy just saw the graduation of its third class and was able to hold closing ceremonies in-person for the first time after COVID disrupted the previous events. .