Mass. Residents with Disabilities Sue State Health Care Agency

BOSTON -- Eight disabled residents and a local advocacy group filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday against the state agency that provides health care to more than a million low-income people, arguing it has failed to comply with laws that require documents to cater to the needs of the deaf, blind, and other physically and mentally impaired recipients of care.

On the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Boston-based Disability Policy Consortium and other plaintiffs - four who are blind, two who are deaf, and two with other disabilities - filed a suit in US District Court in Boston, alleging MassHealth violated the law by failing to provide written notices in Braille or other electronic forms, failing to use American Sign Language to communicate, and not listing phone numbers to help the hearing impaired on the agency’s website.

“The ADA was pretty clear that state governments have to make communications accessible to people with disabilities, so they can participate as fully as anyone else,’’ said Bill Allan, executive director of the Disability Policy Consortium. “The Commonwealth has ignored this issue for years. It has been brought up to them in reports and by individuals. It’s time for them to take action.’’

Families Fear Wisconsin Cap on Program

APPLETON, Wis. — Local families are deeply worried about a state budget proposal to cap enrollment in Family Care, the state's long-term care and community-based support program for people with disabilities and the elderly.
The potential consequences are enough to keep Steve and Agnes Behnke of Kaukauna up at night when they consider the future of their 9-year-old daughter, who has significant physical impairment, some cognitive delays and uses a wheelchair.
"Abbie is still in school but it's a constant concern," said Steve Behnke. "What will happen to her when one or both of us can't care for her?"