KRS 12.455: Legislative findings.

(1) The General Assembly recognizes that many persons with disabilities and their

families receive some level of support and services that are funded or administered

by state agencies. The support and services are provided to persons with disabilities

or their families, if appropriate, either directly or through arrangements with local

community-based vendors, organizations, or agencies.

(2) The General Assembly recognizes that persons with disabilities who receive the

services and support, directly or indirect ly, are often not consulted for their

perspectives, nor are their viewpoints sought regarding the efficiency, strengths, or

weaknesses of the services and support.

(3) Persons with disabilities and their families face obstacles in the court system

through lack of understanding and difficulty of access.

(4) Various agencies in state government promulgate standards that govern the

administration or operation of the services and support. Seldom are persons with

disabilities or their families involved in the de velopment of standards that directly

affect the quality of the services and support that they receive. In addition, there are

legislative commissions that serve in an advisory capacity concerning the services

provided to persons with disabilities and their families, whose membership does not

include persons with disabilities and their families.

(5) It is the finding of the General Assembly that:

(a) Some forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities continue.

These persons are a discrete minorit y who have been faced with restrictions

and limitations, subjected to a history of purposeful unequal treatment, and

relegated to a position of political powerlessness in our society;

(b) Persons with disabilities and their families have a significant cont ribution to

make in the decision -making processes that shape the support and services

they receive through state government;

(c) Persons with disabilities and their families should be provided with

meaningful opportunities to contribute their perspectives through their

experiences concerning issues relating to services, support, and standards that

ultimately affect them;

(d) Services and support should be responsive and sensitive to the cultural, racial,

age, language, and gender characteristics of persons with disabilities and their

families; and

(e) Meaningful opportunities to contribute their perspectives will help provide

adequate information in a manner that facilitates and allows for participation

by persons with disabilities and their families.