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Olmstead Planning
In 1999, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Olmstead v. L.C. indicating states could not legally require people with disabilities to remain institutionalized in order to receive health care services. The Court ruled that this unjustified isolation is discrimination based on disability. Following that ruling, each state must address the issue of assuring home and community-based care for individuals.
The District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights (ODR) is responsible for the development of the Districts Olmstead Plan and is in the process of developing a framework that will ensure a successful and comprehensive planning process. On May 7, 2008, ODR convened an Olmstead Planning Council comprised of consumers, parents, guardians and other caregivers, government officials, advocates and representatives from the provider community. The participants in attendance understood the need for, and the value of, a system of self-directed, individualized supports for people with disabilities. The Olmstead Planning Council will develop a plan throughout 2008 that embraces the following guiding principles for people with disabilities:
- The right to live in the most integrated community setting appropriate to the needs of people with disabilities;
- The right of people to leave institutions and receive home and community-based services;
- An individual, client directed support plan written and updated regularly;
- Access to, and purchase of, self-directed care providers and selection of community supports;
- Identification, assessment and prioritization of the need for services from the spectrum of people with disabilities presently residing in institutions;
- Training for consumers, families, advocates, community support networks and other identified stakeholders.
Participation on the Olmstead Planning Council is voluntary and requires attendance at regularly scheduled meetings and events. Interested candidates should contact Derek K. Orr, Deputy Director, at 202-727-8005 or email derek.orr@dc.gov for more information.
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