Groups refuse to cut programs for disabled

Service groups that help developmentally disabled people in the Edmonton area areignoring a governmentrequestto slashtheir budgets by the end of the year.

Alberta hopes to cut about two per cent of the People with Developmental Disabilities budget which amounts to roughly $12 million.

Groups in the Edmonton areahave been asked to find nearly $3 million in savings as their share ofthe cuts.

The Edmonton Council of Service Providers voted unanimously Tuesday to refuse that request.

Chair Laurie Williams said the organizationsfelt there was no room forcuts.

Williamsadded thatmany of thegroups objected to the cuts because families hadnt been properly notifiedof potential changes toservices.

"At this point, we are sending a letter not only to the ministry, but we will also advise the Edmonton region that were not able to accept a year-end adjustment," Williams said.

Cuts could force 'hasty decisions'

Bruce Uditsky,chief executive officer of the AlbertaAssociation for Community Living, said many agencies across the province took exception to the request for cuts.

"In effect, its sort of a retroactive clawback after most of the money has already been spent in providing supports and service," Uditsky said.

"It really does not suggest an appropriate way of a department managing[the] funds that it provides community agencies to support people"

Uditsky said the supportgroups believe the government should be held to the contracts it signed with them last April even if it means they might not get contracts next year.

He said any cuts would be the result of a "hasty decision" and would put people with disabilities at risk.

Last week, Mary Anne Jablonski, minister of seniors and community supports, said the cuts are a result of the economic downturn.

Theminister of seniors and community supportscan step in to override the contracts. A government spokesperson could not be reached for comment.