The purpose of this website is to bring the entire disability community together, to have one, united voice. To quell rumors and provide access to timely information and strategy. Our purpose is to present solutions that are compelling and cannot be overlooked – especially when presented, collectively, by our community.

There are some important guidelines for our advocacy efforts.

• Appreciate the difficult position that our lawmakers, Governor, and the DES administration are in. When you communicate with them, please begin each contact with a sincere belief that nearly all are there because they believe in public service and want to do what is in the best interest of Arizona. It is our job to help them understand our community and why helping us IS the right thing for the State.


• When communicating, do not begin the conversation by saying – DO NOT CUT ________. It is easy for the recipient of that communication to dismiss individuals calling for no cuts as out of touch with the depth and scope of our budget deficit. Policymakers are looking for solutions and the “DO NOT CUT” does not feel like a solution to them. Cuts have to be made – the State simply has less revenue than it had in previous years. We must acknowledge the State’s financial crisis in order to be credible.


• Be polite. If a public official disagrees with you, remain respectful. Some of our best allies for the community are waiting to be made. Don’t make someone an enemy; that official may just need to hear from a number of people before they truly understand our perspective. It is much easier to dismiss a group who has mistreated you. Don’t alienate our decision makers. When you treat them with respect, you will get respect in return.


• And finally, open the dialogue for meaningful solutions, beyond “DO NOT CUT”.

Out of this crisis comes an opportunity for real reform. We can help identify and eliminate some of the inefficiencies and bureaucracy at DES. Below are ideas that we believe will resonate with the decision makers and demonstrate that we want to be part of the solution. You may not agree with all of them but to the extent that you do, please let policymakers know.

Here is what we propose:

• Modernize the DES infrastructure by implementing the contemplated technology Eligibility System Replacement. This new system will support a complete redesign of the business processes at DES. It will create the ability for self-service and a streamlined administrative process.


• Implement Means Testing for eligibility – allowing families’ income to be adjusted for expenses related to the disability.


• Include stakeholders, in each division of DES, to identify and help solve areas of inefficiency.


• Ask lawmakers to refer to the ballot, a proposed temporary, emergency tax. We are not asking lawmakers nor the Governor to support a tax increase – merely that the discussion be referred to the ballot. Let the people make the decision. If the Legislature can refer a vote for a tax increase for a football stadium, it should allow the same opportunity for critical supports for the disabled.

So now that we have a united voice and some proposed solutions, what, specifically do we have to do to make an impact?

Nothing is more effective as writing letters. Personal stories on paper and mail them with a stamp.

Please write to the following key people:

Governor’s Office
1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Governor Brewer
Governor Brewer is truly a compassionate conservative. How else can you explain that in her first weeks in office as a Republican Governor, she had the courage to consider asking the Legislature for a temporary, emergency tax increase? She has gone out on a limb to ask for such so let’s show her that we appreciate her fearlessness and convictions.

Beth Kohler Lazare
She is the Governor’s Health & Human Services Policy Advisor. She is a quality, caring, dedicated, individual who will be interested in what we have to say.

Brian McNeil
He is the Governor’s Chief of Staff for Operations. Brian is also a dedicated public servant, so much so that he recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. He cares deeply about our community and is highly respected.

Legislature

Every Legislator is important. Every one of them. Please reach out to as many of them as you are able. To find out who your legislator is, go to: www.azleg.gov. You will see, on the left side of the page a link to click titled “Who is my Legislator”. When you write to the legislator from your district, be sure to include that you are a constituent with your address and other contact information.

And while you may be wondering whether your legislator really cares about our population, you’d be surprised how many legislators, behind the scenes, have helped us. In fact, several like Senator Jim Waring, have been caught off guard by some of the unkind messages they have received when they are working on our behalf.

DES

Barbara Brent

She is the Director of DDD at DES and needs to hear from us. Please copy the Director of DES on all letters. She wants very much to help us and the best way she can is to hear from us. When future cuts or alternatives are being proposed, she can be well armed to advocate for us – with our letters in hand.