Question 5 is My Favorite

For today's post, I answer a questionnaire received from the Utah Grassroots Advocacy Partnership.

1. What is the state and federal government’s responsibility to assist people with disabilities in becoming contributing members of their community and living as independently as possible?

I believe most of the current work, being done to assist people with disabilities, is coming from government. Although I am not a fan of big government, perhaps it can remain this way. If we do not have more private groups, charities, stepping in to fill the role, then we can continue with government doing the work. If charities did step up more, though, that would be wonderful and it would be great if they did so much that government could pull out.

2. To what extent do you believe that people with disabilities should be the primary decision makers in their lives?

If they are capable of making those decisions, then they should be the ones making them.

3. What policies would you support to help Utahans with disabilities live in their own homes and communities instead of in institutions?

I do not know that I have a ready answer to that. I can see the advantage of them living in their own homes, and imagine funding is the reason more of the do not live in their own homes instead of in institutions.

4. What would you do to eliminate waiting lists for home and community-based waivers?

I would imagine that, again, this would depend on funding. If more homes -- does that equate to institutions? -- were built, that would cut down on the waiting lists, obviously. I would think if we are going to expand our care, it would be good to first look for private, charitable funding. I would also look at the waiting lists, and how people are being affected. At that point, I would be in position to know if more tax dollars are required.

5. What steps would you take to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Utah?

This is an issue I have campaigned on. I believe everybody should be given the right to work, the opportunity to work. I do not believe the work should be oppressive, but rather should fit the abilities of the person. We already have what we call philanthropists, wealthy individuals who give abundantly to charity. Why not give them the same tax incentives, and the same recognition to create jobs? They are dominantly our employers, already, and are the experts in job creation. Let them create small companies to fit the needs of the unemployed. Sometimes the company will be no more than someone selling paper flowers on a street corner. Let's attach these companies to each pocket of unemployment, one to the homeless shelters, one to those who beg for money downtown, one to those who receive Food Stamps, and so forth. These companies would not always turn a profit, but they would help turn peoples lives around. I believe everybody who is willing to work should be given the opportunity to work.

6. What would you do to expand access to affordable and accessible transportation for people with disabilities, especially in rural areas?

I would first want to know what the needs are, same as with question 4.


7. How would you go about reducing the number of Utahans with mental illness in jail or prison?

It would seem there would be only two alternatives. 1. Work better with those with mental illness before crimes are committed, so fewer of them commit crimes. 2. Let more of them free. I do not believe we should do that. The tendency to commit crime still exists.