It goes without saying that there are real consequences when the Democrats stay home and do not vote. The GOP has successfully eliminated VSA, the program that supports arts for people with disabilities, a program that I have been working with to develop creative writing experiences for young people with disabilities. Here is the note I received today from my friend Melissa del Rios announcing the end of VSA as we know it. I am deeply saddened by these developments and I merely with to point out that if you are a writer or academic who imagines that these cuts are not harbingers of what’s to come, you really need to have your head examined. Here is Melissa’s announcement:
Dear Colleagues,
The federal funding provided in previous years by the U.S. Department of Education to the Kennedy Center and VSA is being severely reduced in the coming months. With the loss of at least $9 million in federal funds, the Kennedy Center and VSA has realigned programs and staffing. For VSA, this means a drastic reduction in programs, in grants, and in staff. Nearly three-fourths of the national office staff of VSA have been let go.
I will let you know the status of VSA programs you have been involved with as things progress.
It has been a pleasure working with all of you, and I hope that our paths cross in the near future.
Sincerely,
Melissa Del Rios
Program Development Manager
Planet of the Blind 