Advocacy group rallies in Soldotna

As an organization that helps people with disabilities, Hope Community Resources Incorporated wants to make sure its clients can live as normal a life as possible. But because of an increase in fuel and health care costs and a stagnant supply of state funding, many are without the care they they need.

"There are a lot of people on a state waiting list," said Sara Gould, Hope Community Resources administrative assistant, adding that the state hasn't increased its funding for disability services in four years. "Several people have minor to major disabilities and they're on a waiting list because of state funding."

Hope Community Resources and statewide advocacy group Key Coalition of Alaska seek to undo the state funding freeze and get more people off the waiting list by the end of this legislative session. Community members are invited to a rally that would advocate for the needs of disabled people and help them get the services they need. The rally takes place at noon today in front of Don Jose's in Soldotna.

Gould said this rally comes at a time when Key Coalition representatives are lobbying in Juneau for the rights and needs of disabled people. Established in December 1996, the Key Coalition is a grass roots organization that seeks to promote legislation that includes and represents people with disabilitiees as well as keep the public informed on disability issues. The coalition includes the Key Campaign, which advicates for people with developmental disabilities.

"Anybody that's interested in advocating for people with disabilities (should come)," she said. "(The rally is) about community inclusion and encouraging people to come out and rally with us or send a public opinion message to their legislators."

Hope Community Resources will be celebrating its 40th anniversary shortly, Gould said. In addition to providing respite care and in-home support, the organization also seeks to integrate community into the lives of people with disablities.

"They should be able to live the same way that we do," Gould said, adding that things like wheelchair ramps and handicapped-accessible bathrooms were a result of community members advocating for people with disabilities. "By somebody saying 'hey, we want to get there too,' this is how they've all come about. We're all in it for the same reason."

Jessica Cejnar can be reached at jessica.cejnar@peninsulaclarion.com.