Wrap: Families called on the House Disability Services Committee as a bill is set to create a plan for the deinstitutionalization of Missouri's six habiliation centers.

Angela Gourley, sitting next to her six-year-old disabled son, spoke on behalf of families with disabled children.

Gourley says involving the disabled with a community will allow them to be better self-advocates for their needs.

People opposed to the bill says they worry  more severely disabled people would be left to fend for themselves if the bill passed.

There was no immediate action taken on this measure.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.

Wrap: Families disagreed in a House Disabilities Services meeting about the deinstitutionalization of habilitation centers.

Talisha Weiss has a severely disabled cousin living in the Nevada habilitation center.

She says she is afraid of what will happen if habilitation centers are shut down.

She says community groups will lack the necessary staff to properly aid those who become physically aggressive.

Others testified in favor of community living for people with mental disabilities saying it better incorporates them into a community.

There was no immediate action taken on this measure.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.

Wrap: Families of the disabled were divided today about the closing of habilitation centers around Missouri in favor of community-based groups.

John Ahlquist is the guardian for his friend Paula, a resident at Bellefontaine habilitation center.

He says he advocates on her behalf because she can't speak for herself.

He fears a transition to community living from the habilition center will ruin her quality of life.

Ahlquist says there are people in need of 24-hour assistance which community living would not provide.

There was no immediate action taken on this measure.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.