I realize that both the Center for Disability Rights and I have a bit of a reputation.

Some people say we are never satisfied.

Others try to portray us as complainers.

I feel we just call it as we see it.

Unfortunately, much of what you see when it comes to disability rights issues isn’t pretty. Often, governmental bureaucrats and politicians oppose giving people with disabilities even their most basic rights. Many don’t even take the time to understand the issues and some actually twist facts to meet their own self-serving purposes.

Still, we call it as we see it.

So, given the generally cantankerous nature of our commentary and what has been described as our “prickly” style of advocacy, the following statement might seem just a bit out of character, but we call it as we see it….

THANK YOU, Governor Cuomo!

Today, in his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo acknowledged the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and the right of people with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting. He acknowledged that even though New York spends more than any other state, our state ranks in the bottom quartile among states serving adults with disabilities. He asserted this was “fiscally irresponsible and morally unacceptable”.

My immediate response was simple and straight-forward: “WOW!”

Frankly, we have wanted a New York Governor to do this for more than a decade. And we have asked his last three predecessors. None delivered.

That’s right.

None of the last three Governors had what it took to make such a statement.

Some folks might wonder why we would care what gets said in this speech, but it is a really big deal.

First, generally folks in power tend not to pay any attention to the disability rights community. We don’t often get acknowledged in such speeches. Unfortunately, that makes almost ANY mention in a speech like this notable.

Second, when folks in power do mention us, they often screw it up. Governor Cuomo didn’t do that. Honestly, it isn’t hard for folks who don’t understand disability politics and culture to make mistakes, and although there are some folks who might quibble with a word here or there in the Governor’s address, when you take his work as a whole, it was right on the mark.

Third, his message sets the stage for real change in New York. When you want to transform long term services and supports in a state, it certainly helps to have the Governor announce the direction. With today’s speech, there can be no question where the Cuomo administration stands on this issue. He clearly stated that people with disabilities have a right to receive services and supports in the most integrated setting. He didn’t just frame this as a civil rights issue, he highlighted how the current policies were morally unacceptable. I couldn’t agreed more.

Finally, the message itself is historic. The basic premise behind providing long term services and supports hasn’t changed since the inception of home care back in the 1960s. And because New York has one of the biggest Medicaid programs in the country, transforming it is nationally significant. But Governor Cuomo went beyond that to address the critically need for affordable, accessible housing which is one of the biggest barriers to community living and employment, which is needed for true independence.

Although Governor Cuomo didn’t shout the words “FREE OUR PEOPLE!” from the stage, that was very clearly his message, and today, he stepped onto the stage of disability politics. And he did it with style.

That just demands applause.

From Governor Cuomo’s 2012 State of the State address:

Caring for Our Most Vulnerable Citizens

We must transform the way we deliver services to our over two million residents with disabilities. We spend more than any other state on services and support provided both by our government and a vast array of nonprofit and private agencies. Yet according to a recent report, New York ranks in the bottom quartile among states in serving adults with disabilities. This situation is fiscally irresponsible and morally unacceptable.

Many of the problems our disabled residents encounter are not the result of limited resources, but rooted instead in failures in the organization and management of services. We must develop a system that recognizes the potential of and the barriers faced by each individual we serve. We must focus on quality and prevention, and simplify and streamline access to services.

As the Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C., people with disabilities have a right to receive care in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Therefore, we will develop an Olmstead Implementation Plan that will guide the transition of individuals from institutional to community-based care, provide access to affordable and accessible housing, and promote employment of persons with disabilities. We must erase stigmas and ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are fully recognized and fully protected.

In addition, we must do all we can to ensure the safety of those in our care. That is why, last year, I appointed Clarence Sundram, a leading expert on the provision of care to persons with developmental disabilities, as my Special Advisor on Vulnerable Persons. Mr. Sundram has engaged in a comprehensive review of relevant state programs and we will implement reforms to better protect against abuse and neglect.