Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez Introduces Resolution to Recognize Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Receive Care
SACRAMENTO – As the father of a son with developmental disabilities, ACR 55 holds special meaning for Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio,
ACR 555 recognizes the month of March 2025 as the 40th anniversary of the California Supreme Court decision in ARC v. Department of Developmental Services and celebrates the Legislature’s 1969 passage of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act.
“As a father of a son with developmental disabilities, the significance of the ARC vs. DDS decision is deeply personal to me,” Gonzalez said. “That is why I am proud to author ACR 55 and grateful for the co-authorship of Assemblymember (Stephanie) Nguyen, and Sens. (Roger) Niello and (Suzette Martinez) Valladares.”
His son RJ is 32 and lives with cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia, which means he doesn’t have the ability to use his legs, his hands. He eats through a little button on his stomach. He’s nonverbal. He requires 24-hour care.
RJ is currently in the hospital, Gonzalez shared. “He got an infection on his skin and then came to find out that it was a little bit more than that and that caused him to go into the hospital. He became septic.”
He will require a new stomach pump in a new location.
“So, it’s going to be a little hairy here in the next couple weeks,” Gonzalez said,
The Resolution he introduced has no money attached,
“What it does is continue the conversation,” Gonazlez told Uken Report. “Far too often, those that are most vulnerable, like the DD community, developmentally disabled community, are put on the back burner. And I don’t want them to be forgotten. Not for my son or not for anyone in California or anywhere. I want to make sure that if there’s an opportunity to advocate for them, that I’m going to do it. And that’s what the resolution does is just say, “Hey, remember we have these folks here that are struggling, and we have to always look out for them.”
In many other states, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families face wait times of over a decade to receive the support and services necessary to live integrated, fulfilling lives within their communities, he said. California has long been a leader in safeguarding essential services for individuals with disabilities, and I take great pride in continuing that legacy.”
Gonzalez represents Imperial County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino County in the California Legislature. District 36 includes Anza, Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, Coachella, El Centro, Hemet, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Salton City, Thermal, Westmorland, Winchester, and Winterhaven.
