Assemblyman Abinanti Calls For Commitment to People with Special Needs

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) is calling on state lawmakers to reaffirm their commitment to residents with special needs.

Assemblyman Tom Abinanti hopes to open the new legislative session with an emphasis on improving the rights of New Yorkers with special needs.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Joe Jenkins

01/08/2014 4:00 a.m.

“My vision for 2014 is that the State of New York will recognize that people with special needs have the same rights as everyone else to an appropriate education, adequate health care, reasonable employment opportunities, affordable housing and a good quality of life,” Abinanti said in a statement. “With a little more assistance to accommodate their differing abilities, people with special needs can live fulfilling lives and contribute to their communities. Unfortunately, several state actions in 2013 raised questions about the state’s commitment to give that assistance.”

Abinanti, whose district covers Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant, Tarrytown, and Dobbs Ferry, said he wants the state to implement a broad “Bill of Rights” for people across the entire spectrum of the special needs population:

Education (sufficient state funding for special education)
Health care (restore early intervention, require broader insurance company reimbursements)
Housing and daily living assistance (increased number and adequate funding for facilities, better staff training)
Jobs (job training and incentives for hiring)
Fair and dignified treatment (appropriate first responder training).

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