FCNL-Urge Congress To Raise Funding For DARS Program

Dear Friends Committee on National Legislation:

Hello, my name is Gift Nleko and I am one of the 2.9 million Texans who are faced with a disability, a group that makes up 11.5 percent of our state's population. As a child, I was diagnosed with post poliomyelitis, and my physical disability has posed many challenges. I require the use of specialized equipment in order to carry out my day-to-day functions, and I have to take medications to maintain optimum health. This is what led me to seek the assistance services of the Division of Assistive Rehabilitation Services (DARS) program in Beaumont, Texas. I am writing this letter because there are some issues that I am concerned about in connection with the program, and I have some suggestions that could make the DARS program better for users with disabilities. I would like to petition to increase funding for the DARS program so that it can implement changes in how DARS operates and the services it provides for its users. The DARS program would benefit from more funding that it could use to implement changes in the program and to provide the better quality services to its users. There are three ways that the program would benefit from increased funding:

• Advertising: I think that DARS needs to advertise because as of now, the existence of these amazing services is not known by the general population. The program should be advertised to promote these services to those with disabilities who may not be aware of this program and could greatly benefit from what it has to offer. For example, DARS might focus their advertisement in places where individuals with disability might frequent. Effective ways to advertise the program include putting ads in newspapers or online, billboards, as well as doing commercials to spread knowledge of what services DARS provides.

• Better pay and training for staff: I would suggest that DARS offer better pay to attract more qualified candidates who have a better working knowledge of disabilities and the best measures needed to provide beneficial assistance. DARS would then be able to adopt a strict course for selection of its candidates and could hire counselors’ candidates who have the most knowledge and experience for their positions. DARS could also use this funding to offer courses within the company to develop disability awareness of the counselors it has hired to further their knowledge and ability to assist the program's clients.

• Improvements in communication: By increasing funding, it will allow for the purchasing of more updated technological equipment that provide better and faster communication and make for a superb overall experience within the DARS program. By implementing the latest phone and internet services, communication between the staff and will be more effective and allow the users greater access to the services.

As I have stated, it is very important that the Division of Assistive Rehabilitation Services (DARs) obtains the necessary funding to implement new advertising programs, offer better pay and training for its staff, and secure improvements in communication in order that it may provide the optimum services to its users who seek assistance from and will benefit from these programs. It is time that individuals with disabilities gain access to these programs in order to work toward a better future. So please, I urge you to do all you can to support and fight to bring better services for individuals with disabilities. I would like to urge you to take a stand for those with disabilities and give them the funding they deserve. Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this issue further.

Sincerely,

Gift Nleko