Budget Cuts Leave Disabled Adults To Fend For Themselves

Online, February 14, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Governor Brown released his proposed budget for the 2011 fiscal year, a budget that is the kiss of death for many, but most certainly for the "Forgotten Population." Not the "Forgotten Population" on death row, but the young adults who suffer from Autism and are developmentally disabled.

$750 million will be cut from Special Education programs and many community services for developmentally disabled adults will cease. To those that are not lucky enough to have parents who are still living or loved ones capable of contributing the necessary financial support, this age becomes a death sentence.

"They always start to chip away at the bottom where the most vulnerable are affected rather than cutting the fat at the top," says Mary Noon, president of Marketing A Cause.

In efforts to bring light to this grave matter, Marketing A Cause has announced a new tactical fundraising campaign, entitled "The Forgotten Population". This campaign is intended to give the 40 learning disabled adults of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Life Skills Program a voice, and a right to proper care and education. For some this daily program is the only structure and social interaction in their lives. In 2010 the program structure was threatened with reduced days and reduced hours due to budget cuts in funding.

The Mt. Diablo Life Skills Program is looking to raise $18,000 by April 01, 2011. For every $20 that is donated, one figure will light up to mark the progress. The goal is to have every figure lit up on the donate page. If every figure is lit up by April 01, 2011 then Mt. Diablo Life Skills program will be able to give 40 young adults with varied developmental disabilities the proper, continued education they deserve. The progress of the campaign can be seen at www.theforgottenpopulation.com.

100% of all public donations will directly fund the Mt. Diablo Life Skills program.

About Mt. Diablo Life Skills

The Mt. Diablo Life Skills program is an educational program for adults with developmental disabilities, a division of Mt. Diablo Unified School District a not-for-profit public school. The Mt. Diablo Life Skills Program strives to develop each student's maximum potential and independence. The curriculum is highly comprehensive and individualized in order to meet each student's needs and capabilities in community independence, independent living skills, social skills, functional academics, and job readiness skills. To learn more about the program please visit www.mtdiablolifeskills.com.