WHEN THE SYSTEM BECOMES THE BARRIER How do we build systems that accurately distinguish individual needs without becoming so administratively complex that they create barriers for the very people they were designed to serve? I’ve been thinking about this question a lot. Especially as disability support systems continue introducing new assessments, documentation requirements, authorization processes, and methods of measuring need. I understand the importance of accountability. Public resources should be used responsibly. Services should be individualized. Decisions should be based on accurate information. But accountability and administrative complexity are not the same thing. And neither guarantees that a person is actually receiving the support they need. Consider a few examples. 1. Authorized support is not the same as delivered support. My son Alex has nursing hours authorized that we have never been able to fully staff. On paper, the support exists. In reality, the...
