Blue Skies Ahead?

Are Blue Skies ahead for people with developmental disabilities in Cape County and for the taxpayers who contribute toward the SB40 tax? Will there be another alternative to the current sheltered workshop in Cape Girardeau soon- an alternative that focuses on community integration if that is the desire of the individual with disabilities- an alternative that works to build partnerships within the community and asks area businesses to hire those with disabilities and agrees to provide job coaching services in order to ensure success? Will there be an option like this? The answer depends on many things. Currently, there is much discussion and debate across the country regarding old school sheltered workshops. It seems they may soon be a thing of the past. Legislation is being worked on that would do away with these dinosaurs. Advocates are suing claiming discrimination by segregation regarding traditional "workshops". Community inclusion and full integration whenever possible is the way of the future. There is a not-for-profit here in Cape that has been formed specifically to provide an alternative to the current sheltered workshop. The community has shown an interest in more progressive choices in employment services. This new group- Blue Sky Center/Blue Sky Services has many other exciting plans for this community, but we need vocal community support. We will be submitting a proposal to the Cape County Board for the Developmentally Disabled in the next week or so. We are asking them to consider our proposal at their March meeting (March 13th at 6 pm at the County building in Jackson). This meeting will be open to the public. It takes money to start anything, and it will take money to get this program off the ground. If you would like to learn more about Blue Sky's plans, please visit www.blueskycenter.org