'We feel betrayed': Disability community says provincial budget 'punches down'

Colin and Marty Stephenson received a call this week that left them feeling stressed and betrayed.

They were told the day program their 24-year-old daughter Abbie takes part in had its funding completely cut from the provincial government's budget.

Abbie lives with a complex form of epilepsy and requires around the clock care.

She typically attends various day programs at Club Inclusion from 9 a.m. until around 4 p.m..

Her mother says attending day programs gives the family respite and provides Abbie with socialization, community and a sense of belonging.

"It is really unthinkable to be in the position where something so fundamental to Abbie's quality of life is at risk," she said.

Club Inclusion has been around since 2008 and is a part of Prescott Group, an organization in Halifax that works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Group's CEO, Alice Evans says although the impact of the cuts is difficult to tell now, they will push through and continue programming.

"There's a 10 per cent cut to day programs altogether and the complete cut to the Club Inclusion day program funding," she said.

"We've had some reductions to our wage base as well."

The provincial budget includes cuts to a variety of programs affecting people with disabilities, their families, caregivers and the organizations that support them. 

People from the disability community say the province’s most vulnerable are being disproportionately harmed, and they’re calling on the Progressive Conservative government to reverse the proposed changes.

Premier Tim Houston says he has no plans to adjust the budget.

Abbie’s father Colin says the cuts mean organizations and groups will have to work that much harder to "maintain levels of service" to the community. He says their success shouldn’t be measured with money.