More than 70 people protested at the Pittsburg Social and Rehabilitative Services office Wednesday, holding signs and even putting up a tent in the office’s lobby.
The subject? A hard freeze on the Physically Disabled waiver issued by Don Jordan, secretary of the Kansas branch of the SRS. The program helps to provide support to people with physical disabilities that meet Medicaid’s financial criteria and are determined to be physically disabled by the Social Security Administration.
The freeze came following a drastic increase in the number of requests for the program, and the drop in the economy. The freeze is expected to last until July 1.
Sources say a regional SRS director met with the demonstrators on Wednesday.
Southeast Kansas Independent Living led the protest, along with a host of people representing the disabled community.
“This decision, the freeze, impacts all of their lives,” said Greg Jones, SKIL director of advocacy.
The group put up signs leading to their Web site at stopthefreeze.com, and touting such slogans as “SRS lost its mission and vision” and “we want Jordan now.” The protesters also ran through several chants, including “our homes, not nursing homes.”
One of the protesters was Linda Roberts, a disabled woman who said she had seen both sides of the fence. Roberts lived at Golden Living Center in Pittsburg before she found that she could live at her home, rather than a nursing home, with some assistance.
“Nobody ever told me that I could do that,” Roberts said. “I didn’t know it existed. There are so many things that people out on their own take for granted.
“The freeze doesn’t really affect me as it does new clients,” Roberts said. “But I was once a new client, so I understand. I wonder, if (Jordan) was disabled, or if he had a family member who was disabled, whether he would freeze that program or not.”
Jones estimated that the decision would put 3,300 attendants out of their jobs, at an average pay rate of $16,000 annually, costing the state $156 million in economic impact.
A statement faxed to The Morning Sun stated that the group “has no issue with local SRS or employees.” The issue, according to Jones, was with Jordan, who Jones said failed to get input from the disabled community before making the move. He said the protest was also designed to get the attention of the Kansas Legislature and of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius prior to budget time.
“They lay out the budget, and then they wind up giving us the crumbs at the end,” Jones said. “We can’t wait until the end of the session for them to pay attention to us. That is not acceptable.”
Jones said the group would continue to protest, and would likely travel around the state to protest with other groups.
“This won’t end today,” Jones said.
Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134
PITTSBURG —
