As the U.S. Dept. of Justice and federally funded Protection & Advocacy groups push for implementation of Olmstead, State Operated Developmental Centers are being closed nationwide. States fearing litigation are closing vital facilities, placing the most severely intellectually disabled and medically fragile at risk for abuse and neglect. Safety and management of serious behavioral issues are major concerns.
The Supreme Court held that community placement is only required and appropriate when the transfer from institutional care to a less restrictive setting is not opposed by the individual. We oppose the closing of these facilities and request aggressive enforcement of the right to choose institutional over community based living.