Letter to the Editor: Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Day
Rep. Frank Burns January 15, 2013
To the editor:
On Friday, Jan. 18, we will commemorate
Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Day. As we prepare to honor disabled
Pennsylvanians on this special day, I want to offer a reminder of services
available to them through the state.
It
has been nearly 22 years since President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans
for Disabilities Act. As a nation, and as a state, we have come a long way
since then to help the disabled achieve employment and live as independently as
possible.
In
Pennsylvania, three entities are working to ensure that the state's disabled
population is represented. The Governor’s Cabinet for People with Disabilities
makes recommendations to the governor on policies, procedure regulations and
legislation that assist people with disabilities in Pennsylvania.
The
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (www.dpw.state.pa.us)
supports programs for people with disabilities throughout the state including assisted
living and personal care homes, community services and medical assistance.
Finally,
the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (www.dli.state.pa.us)
provides comprehensive services to assist disabled Pennsylvanians with finding
a job, determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits and much
more.
My
staff and I are always available to help constituents navigate through the
myriad of services available to them – and we are happy to do so. Please know
that you have an advocate for you here at home and in Harrisburg.
Sincerely,
Frank Burns
State Representative
72nd District