Congress has again failed people with disabilities — we need bipartisan legislation now

October 17, 2022

When the Senate unveiled its reconciliation package in August, service providers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) were stunned to see additional funding for the Medic...

For 50 years, Hozhoni Lives up to its name: Dedicated to Helping Developmentally Disabled Find 'Harmony and Balance'

August 22, 2021

So intent was Eric Hermon on the task at hand — head bent so low over the jigsaw puzzle it was as if his mask was weighing him down — that he didn’t notice who had come up ...

When it Comes to People Like My Daughter, One Size Does Not Fit All

July 04, 2021

My daughter, Lauren, turned 40 last month. She is happy and healthy. And that is nothing short of a miracle. From the moment my wife, Susan, found Lauren blue and limp in her crib at the age of 7 mon...

Arizona Opinion: Does Gov. Ducey Value People with Disabilities or Only Fetuses with Disabilities?

July 01, 2021

The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: “There is immeasurable value in every single life regardless of genetic makeup,” was not spoken by a disability ri...

Relative Invisibility Makes for Uphill Battle to get COVID Vaccines for Americans with IDD

March 31, 2021

Desperately Trying to Wipe the Virus Away

November 18, 2020

They’d always checked temperatures inside this house. Twice a day the thermometer was moved from bedroom to bedroom, tucked under five arms, offering five beeps and five numbers, assur...

Risk Factors for COVID-19 Mortality Among Privately Insured Patients

November 11, 2020

Developmental Disabilities Heighten Risk of Covid Death

November 10, 2020

People with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders are three times more likely to die if they have Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, compared with others with the...

People with Developmental Disabilities were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials

November 06, 2020

Kyra Wade’s favorite color is pink. The 11-year-old likes road trips and the movie “Monsters, Inc.” She loves to watch people laugh. Her culinary preferences run to noodles and rice....

People with Disabilities Face Both Unique and Common Challenges During Pandemic

October 01, 2020

While some challenges in the pandemic are unique for people with disabilities — like how to design clear face coverings — many others in education, day care or in the work force mirror the...

Number of COVID-19 Cases Among People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on Rise

August 06, 2020

There are more than 44,000 individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are part of the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. Most of these individuals live ...

For Some High-Risk Arizonans, it's a Lonely Struggle to Avoid COVID-19

August 02, 2020

Kylie Thompson has quadriplegia and has never allowed it to define her life, which is becoming more difficult during COVID-19. The 31-year-old Tempe resident lives independently, attended Ar...

Group Home Residents are Dying of COVID-19 at Higher Rates but an Underfunded System Sets Them up for Greater Risk

August 01, 2020

People with disabilities who live in state-licensed homes and facilities have died of COVID-19 at more than twice the rate of those who live with family or own their own homes, according to st...

Disability Advocates Ask Ducey to Protect Equal Care

June 23, 2020

Disability advocates and civil-rights groups are lobbying Governor Doug Ducey to order hospitals to allow visitors when they’re necessary for patient support.In a letter sent to the governor's o...

Intellectual Disability Service Providers Want to Protect Clients. The State Isn't Telling Them How.

April 02, 2020

Christi Estrada has no idea when she’ll be able to visit her son again. John Estrada, 33, has autism. He lives in a government-funded group home in Tucson, Arizona. In mid-March, Chris...

'Virtually no way to protect' Against Coronavirus Outbreaks at Disability Group Homes

March 30, 2020

Suzie Hessman's daughter has osteoporosis, has had open heart surgery twice, five hip surgeries and her thyroid removed.  If she got COVID-19, the 27-year-old who also has autism would...

Report: Low Pay Makes Disability Caregivers a 'Workforce in Crisis'

February 17, 2020

WASHINGTON – Arizona fared relatively well in a national report card on its level of care for people with developmental disabilities, but advocates fear those services are being threaten...

Former Lawmaker Bev Hermon Remembered as Supporter of Charter Schools, People with Disabilities

December 04, 2019

A former Arizona legislator who helped create the state's charter school system and advocated for people with disabilities died Nov. 26 following an illness. Bev Hermon was 86. C...

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities Statement on State FY 19 Budget Funding for Developmental Disabilities

May 07, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Rachelle Gilesrachelle@goodmanschwartz.com 602-277-0911   Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities Statement on State FY 19 Budget F...

Wage hike cuts into services for Tucsonans with intellectual, developmental challenges

April 07, 2018

Housing and services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities have become harder to find and less affordable throughout Arizona, an “unintended consequence” of recent ...

Caregivers: Prop. 414 amendment buys time

April 16, 2017

Despite the recent amendment to Flagsta’s minimum wage law, reducing the wage hike to $10.50 in July instead of $12, the leader of one nonprot service provider in the city said he is &...

15 with disabilities get pink slips with Achieve's closing

March 30, 2017

KINGMAN – Fifteen people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lost their jobs and employment training when Achieve Human Services closed its Kingman office March 13. Carol...

Minimum wage hike threatens services for Arizona's disabled

March 21, 2017

Since Arizona voters voted overwhelmingly in November to raise the state’s minimum wage from $8.05 to $10, the increase has sparked heated debate about the effect on jobs and the overa...

Treatment programs face shutdown because of minimum wage increase

March 15, 2017

Ahwatukee parents of adult-aged developmentally disabled children are worried they’ll become victims of the unintended consequence of voter- approved increase in the state’s mini...

Care agency explains fallout of minimum wage lawsuit rejection

March 15, 2017

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Those hit the hardest by a unanimous ruling from Arizona Supreme Court are responding. A challenge of the voter-approved minimum wage increase was rejected unanimously. ...

Make state's vulnerable a priority

March 15, 2017

We can’t figure out whether Gov. Ducey doesn’t believe it, or if he’s hoping the problem will go away. In past editorials, we have praised the governor for his ambitious goals to fi...

Treatment programs endangered by increase in minimum wage

March 12, 2017

Kate Noll, 29, was isolated and depressed when she first moved to Arizona with her family, before her mother discovered her lifeline: east Mesa’s Marc Community Resources. ...

High Court to hear minimum wage challenge

March 08, 2017

The state’s business community will take its last-ditch effort to kill a voter-approved minimum wage hike to the Arizona Supreme Court Thursday. But it remains to be seen whether the business g...

Disability providers seek state cash

March 08, 2017

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona disability providers want nearly three times more funding than the state is proposing to cover the cost of a voter­approved minimum wage hike, even as a non&sh...

Disability providers seek state cash

March 08, 2017

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona disability providers want nearly three times more funding than the state is proposing to cover the cost of a voter­approved minimum wage hike, even as a non&sh...

My Turn: Your call to action over Prop. 206

February 08, 2017

My Turn: Arizona's minimum­wage hike has left caregivers of the developmentally disabled in a lurch. But you can help them. The people of Arizona have exercised their rights and appro...

Arizona Disability Providers Push for More State Funding

February 07, 2017

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona disability providers want nearly three times more funding than the state is proposing to cover the cost of a voter-approved minimum wage hike, even as a non-partisan think...

Proposition 206 Has Unintended Consequences for East Valley Care Providers

February 03, 2017

Caring for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities requires education, ongoing training and passion; like any skilled profession, it’s not for everyone. As a result,...

Caregivers worry about higher Flagstaff minimum wage

January 27, 2017

Mary Haynie is glad that her granddaughter, Jaclyn, might still have a job if the Flagsta minimum wage increases to $12 an hour in July. But she’s not sure how she’s going to ex...

Companies caring for disabled say Prop 206 creating funding shortage

January 24, 2017

Companies serving the state's most vulnerable say the recent minimum wage hike could force them to cut services or close their doors unless the Legislature ponies up more money.Many of these f...

Goldwater Institute Asks Court To Throw Out Arizona Minimum Wage Law That Doesn't Apply To Unionized Companies

January 12, 2017

Phoenix—La􏰁st Novem􏰂er Arizona voter􏰁 approved a law mandating an increa􏰁se in the minimum wage and new time-off 􏰂benefit􏰁 that was
...

State's Nonprofits May Feel Squeeze of Minimum Wage Hike

January 12, 2017

Nonprofits, minimum wage hike -3:47 Nonprofits that provide services to residents with developmental disabilities may end up as unintended casualties of the passage of Proposition 2...

Nonprofits, Bridging Flagstaff plead with Council over wage law

January 11, 2017

The Flagsta City Council chambers were at least half full of residents, parents and employees of nonprots who serve the disabled Tuesday night. Many of them pleaded with Council to amend Pr...

Roberts: Will Arizona's new minimum wage kill this 59-year-old business?

January 06, 2017

This week, Matt Redmann’s employees are getting raises as Arizona’s minimum wage rises to $10 an hour. It should be cause for celebration. But there will be a cost and Redmann is...

Valdez: The main event behind Arizona's minimum wage sideshow

January 04, 2017

One of the biggest questions about Arizona’s new minimum wage law won’t be answered in court. It can’t be. It has to be answered by the people of Arizona. It is: Why does o...

Steller: Minimum-wage law creates beneficial crisis in services

December 28, 2016

Imagine changing adult diapers in your work, day after day, week after week.It would be pretty repulsive after the rst one and might make you wonder why you’re doing this $8.50-an-hour...

Prop. 206 Has Unintended Consequences

December 23, 2016

Editor: CPES, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is one of Arizona’s largest statewide providers of Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. CPES is 100 percent employee owned and curr...

Chambers of commerce move to block minimum-wage increase while agencies that serve vulnerable populations wonder whether they can stay in business

December 22, 2016

A Maricopa County judge shot down efforts to block a hike in Arizona's minimum wage on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Kiley declined to grant an injunction to prevent...

Companies that serve Arizona residents with disabilities to get a raise

December 15, 2016

In hopes of avoiding a crisis as Arizona's minimum­wage rises, the state's Medicaid program plans to boost the amount it pays companies that serve people with disabilities. The companies ...

Arizona business leaders sue to stop minimum wage hike

December 15, 2016

There is a new effort afoot to stop Arizona's new voter­approved minimum wage hike, which raises pay to $10 an hour in January.  Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater ...

Suit filed to block minimum wage hike as Medicaid payments increased

December 15, 2016

PHOENIX -- Unable to defeat it at the ballot, business interests are now trying to get a judge to void the voter-approved hike in the state minimum wage. The lawsuit led Thursday in Maricop...

State will provide emergency funds to offset minimum wage hike

December 14, 2016

Arizona health officials announced an emergency infusion of funds for private contractors serving the elde physically disabled and individuals with developmental disabilities to help offset ...

Disabled Tucsonans may lose caretakers when minimum wage hike kicks in

December 14, 2016

The minimum wage in Arizona is going up at the beginning of the year, but organizations across Tucson are fighting against the clock for extra funding to keep their employees and programs ru...

Mesnard says there may be legal grounds to overturn minimum wage hike

December 13, 2016

The new speaker of the Arizona House said Monday there appear to be legal grounds for someone to sue to overturn the minimum wage hike just approved by voters. But it’s not him, at least not at...

House speaker mulls minimum wage lawsuit

December 13, 2016

PHOENIX -- The new speaker of the Arizona House said Monday there appear to be legal grounds for someone to sue to overturn the minimum wage hike just approved by voters. But it's not him, at l...

Roberts: Arizona leaders ponder how to weasel out of new minimum wage

December 13, 2016

Last month, Arizona’s voters voted to raise the minimum wage in Arizona. This month, Arizona’s leaders are trying to figure out a way to weasel out of it. Incoming House Speake...

Prop 206 fallout: Minimum wage hike could close Saguaro Foundation, impact other programs for disabled and elderly

December 12, 2016

Editor’s note: This story is the first in a two-part series about the impending minimum wage increase in Arizona. Pick up next Sunday’s paper to read about how it’s affecti...

Arizona Chamber of Commerce sues to block new minimum wage law

December 12, 2016

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce is leading a lawsuit seeking to halt the minimum wage increase that overwhelmingly approved in November. The state chamber, joined by several local chambers,...

ACHIEVE tiene por objetivo empoderar a las personas con discapacidad

December 06, 2016

Instalando programas de computación o arreglando electrónicos son cosas que confiamos en expertos de alta tecnología para arreglar. Pero una organizació...

80 nonprofits may close due to Prop 206

December 05, 2016

The Blythe Center has been open for more than three decades, catering to those who are disabled with a day center and in-home care. PEORIA, Ariz. - The Blythe Center has been open f...

Prop. 206 has unintended consequences for East Valley care providers

December 01, 2016

Caring for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities requires education, ongoing training and passion—like any skilled profession, it’s not for everyone. As a result, se...

70 protestors block McDonald's drive-thru

November 29, 2016

PHOENIX - Protestors with Lucha and Fight for $15 blocked a McDonald's drive-thru near Bethany Home and 23rd Avenue Tuesday morning. The block is part of a nationwide demonstration called, "Fight for...

Roberts: Will Ducey rescue Mark and 35,000 other Arizonans?

November 28, 2016

It’s Monday, so 41­year­old Mark Mecham will be preparing for a full day. He’ll be hanging out with his friends, learning about safety and making bird feeders and in the af...

Proposition 206 may negatively impact in-home care businesses in Yuma

November 28, 2016

YUMA, Ariz. - While many locals say they were eager to see Proposition 206 pass, some businesses are worried it might jeopardize the current standing of companies that offer assistive services to...

Pending wage hikes have Flagstaff businesses scrambling

November 27, 2016

The chatter of preschoolers filled pastel-colored rooms outside Juanima Marquez’s office as the director of Kingdom Kids Preschool and Play Center scanned through a legal pad of handwritte...

Our View: Prop 414 solutions will take coordinated approach

November 27, 2016

It should not come as a surprise to Flagstaff employers and elected leaders that, given the chance to close the biggest affordability gap of any Arizona city, local workers went for a big pay ra...

Editorial: Unintended consequences of Proposition 206

November 23, 2016

Businesses across Arizona are bracing themselves after the passage of Proposition 206, which will successively raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2017. One category of business t...

After minimum-wage hike, Arizona companies serving people with disabilities to face a funding crisis

November 23, 2016

Companies that serve the state's most vulnerable individuals say they may not survive the state's minimum­ wage hike unless they get a pay raise of their own from Gov. Doug Ducey and the A...

Editorial: Unintended damage

November 21, 2016

Arizona voters easily approved Proposition 206 in the general election, raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour Jan. 1 and more later. It seemed natural for many to get behind that idea. Howev...

Viewpoints: Prop. 206 is a double-edged sword for non- profits

November 19, 2016

Many nonprofits supported Arizona's minimum­wage increase but now are grappling with how to implement it. When voters cast their ballots this election season, they may not have re...

Unintended Consequences: Minimum wage hike could reduce care for developmentally disabled

November 18, 2016

The Blythe Center, a small mom-and-pop care provider in Peoria for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, will likely ring in the New Year by closing up shop, leaving more tha...

Saguaro Foundation fears Prop 206 may negatively impact their non-profit

November 18, 2016

It's been almost two weeks since Election day and since the passing of Proposition 206. Proposition 206 will affect all of Arizona by increasing the minimum wage from $8.05 an hour to $12.00 an hour. ...

Kwok: These folks are panicking over Arizona's minimum-wage hike

November 16, 2016

One of the precepts of Proposition 206 is that paying a living wage is the price of doing business, a burden that the private sector itself must bear. What then when i...

'A double-edged sword': Minimum wage hike, overtime pay could destroy nonprofits

November 11, 2016

The passing of Proposition 206, which will raise Arizona's minimum wage from $8.05 to $12 by 2020, has put a lot of focus on small business and hospitality workers. Those in the restaurant ...

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities Honors Rep. Kate Brophy McGee with Legislative Hero Award

September 20, 2016

The Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) has awarded Representative Kate Brophy McGee with the Legislative Hero Award to recognize her long-time dedication to issues i...

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities Honors Rep. John Allen with Legislative Hero Award

September 20, 2016

The Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) has awarded Representative John Allen with the Legislative Hero Award to recognize his efforts during the 2016 legislative ses...

AAPPD Recognizes Direct Service Professionals During National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

September 11, 2016

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) member agencies are proud to support the AZ Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities' 13th Annual Direct Support Professional (DSP) Awards Ceremony that will take place Friday, September 16, 2016 in honor of National DSP Recognition Week at the Disability Empowerment Center in Phoenix.

My Turn: Why people with disabilities must vote

July 12, 2016

During this National Disability Voter Registration Week, we at Ability360 encourage all Arizonans who are eligible to vote to ensure they are registered, especially members of our community who identify as people with disabilities. Registering to vote in Arizona is easy; simply visit servicearizona.com. There, you can even sign up to have your ballots delivered to your mailbox instead of traveling to the polls on Election Day.

Agencies helping the disabled see a crisis in funding cuts

July 09, 2016

Yuma agencies providing services to those with developmental and intellectual disabilities are in a crisis due to state funding cuts which could result in their closure and have already created a staffing crisis.

Hozhoni in crisis amid state funding cuts

July 03, 2016

The Hozhoni Foundation is a 46-year-old nonprofit corporation that provides residential, vocational and educational services for indigent people with severe cognitive disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. It houses close to 150 clients in its 16 Flagstaff group homes and five Prescott group homes. But a funding crisis could put Hozhoni Foundation's very existence - and that of similar programs throughout Arizona - in jeopardy. Thousands would lose their jobs and some of the community's most vulnerable residents would be displaced, possibly to Phoenix or Tucson for more centralized state care.

LTE: Hozhoni won't survive living wage

June 05, 2016

The move to a "living wage" of $15/hour in Flagstaff sounds like a righteous effort, but there are dire consequences.

Education funding discussed on state budget tour

March 19, 2016

Although funding for education in Arizona was a main topic at the budget conversation forum, other agencies requested increases in funding as well. Members and those receiving services from ACHIEVE Human Services were present, with CEO of ACHIEVE, Carol, Carr, voicing her request for a 7% increase in rates for care of the developmentally disabled.

LTE: Cuts to services for disabled crippling

March 17, 2016

Since 2008, there have been unprecedented cuts in reimbursement rates. After the 15 percent rate reduction, there have been well-intentioned, but insufficient, efforts to restore the funds.

AAPPD to Advocate for DES Funding Restoration for Intellectual and Developmental (IDD) Services at House Budget Forum in Yuma

March 16, 2016

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) member agencies and caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will attend the Arizona House Appropriations Committee Town Hall Forum in Yuma this Saturday, March 19th to advocate for the restoration of funding for IDD services.

VIDEO: Tucson, AZ - Healthcare for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled Close Second and Third to Education at Tucson Budget Forums

March 14, 2016

Arizona House of Representatives Appropriations Committee budget town hall meeting was the fourth of five being held across Arizona.

LTE: 7 percent increase needed for developmentally disabled program

March 12, 2016

Through a privatized system of contractors, Arizona cares for about 35,000 individuals with severe developmental disabilities deemed by the state to be "at risk of institutionalization."

Have you seen our ad in the Capitol Times?

March 07, 2016

Currently, there are not enough resources built into state AHCCCS funding for wages for these community agency employees, many of whom make between $8 - 9.25/hour. This has led to a 56% urban and a 70-85% rural area DSP turnover rate, creating a shortage of these workers, which is devastating to those they serve.

AAPPD to Advocate for DES Funding Restoration for Intellectual and Developmental (IDD) Services at House Budget Forums in Tucson

March 03, 2016

Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) member agencies and caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will attend the Arizona House Appropriations Committee Town Hall Forums in Tucson and Saddlebrooke this Saturday, March 5th to advocate for the restoration of funding for IDD services.

A Night of Honors for YES the ARC

December 12, 2015

AAPPD honored for exemplary service by YES the ARC.