ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Sen. Charles Schumer found a lot of support Monday when he visited the Center for Disability Rights on State Street.
This organization has long advocated for a level playing field when it comes to the kind of care and assistance people with disabilities receive. The Disability Integration Act, which Schumer is sponsoring in the U.S. Senate, would give those found eligible for institutional care the option of receiving the same services at home.
"If you are disabled and you want to live in an institutional setting, and that's a great thing for a lot of people, insurance and Medicaid will pay for it," Schumer said. "Good, but if you want to live at home or you want to live in a community setting Medicaid and insurance won't pay for it. That's unfair."
Those with disabilities say living at home is often times less expensive than in an institution and it also does wonders for their self-esteem. Some who have experienced both institutionalized living and being at home say there's really no comparison.
"You don't have the same freedoms, I have a lot more independence," said Jensen Caraballo of Rochester. "Once I moved out of the nursing home, I got a job and I did so much that I just couldn't do in the nursing home."
With all the presidential candidates visiting Rochester before the April 19 New York primary, the Center for Disability Rights is making sure they have large groups attending the candidates rallies, But are they being heard?
"Some campaigns really are," said Stephanie Woodward, Center for Disability Rights. "We didn't get from (John) Kasich, he went and got his photo op, but he didn't give us an answer. Hillary not only gave us an answer, Bill talked about it in his speech and she released a statement and Bernie Sanders signed on to the bill. Everyone we've approached so far is responding in some way."
If Schumer's bill makes it through Congress, it will most likely be the next president who will either sign the Disabilities Integration Act into law or veto it.