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Oklahomans with Disabilities Face Long Waitlists for Services

November 9, 2023

Oklahomans with Disabilities Face Long Waitlists for Services

Ask students: When did Oklahoma pass a law to address its disability services wait-list? Why are Medicaid home and community-based services important for individuals with disabilities?

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This lesson is based on NewsHour's Disability Reframed series with Judy Woodruff.

More than half a million Americans are on waiting lists to receive long-term care in their homes. Most people on these lists have intellectual and developmental disabilities and sometimes need help with daily activities like cooking, maintaining a job or getting around town. Judy Woodruff spoke with families in Oklahoma waiting for the help they need.

For a transcript, click here.

Remote video URL

Discussion Questions

  1. Who is Milena Castillo?
  2. When did Oklahoma pass a law to address its disability services wait-list?
  3. What was the outcome of the above law?
  4. Where does Castillo's family face challenges in getting the care they need?
  5. Why are Medicaid home and community-based services important for individuals with disabilities?

Focus Questions

What is the primary issue discussed in this story regarding long-term care for people with disabilities?

Media literacy: Have students find their local news and look up what bills may have been signed into law regarding aid for those individuals with a disabiility.

Extension Activity

Discuss as a class: Why are states like Oklahoma facing difficulties in providing Medicaid home and community-based services to individuals with disabilities?

  • Have students use this website to find out which bills in their home state are dedicated to funding programs to help kids with disabilities.
  • Then watch the short Student Reporting Labs video below on breaking the bounds of disability.
Remote video URL

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

PBS NewsHour Classroom
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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