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Creating Innovative, Individualized Living Options For Persons With Developmental Disabilities |
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Tuesday, 05 January 2010 |
For too long, individuals with developmental disabilities have been consigned to living in service arrangements designed primarily by others, sometimes segregated from society in large institutions, at other times grouped in smaller settings, but still congregated with other individuals with disabilities. Desiring lives that all citizens live, increasingly they have demanded a say in choosing where and with whom they will live. Families, too, have questioned the appropriateness of existing service models for their sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters with developmental disabilities.
Responsive to these voices, the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) awarded NYSACRA a grant to explore alternatives, sometimes referred to as shared or supported living arrangements. This paper presents NYSACRA’s findings.
A historical overview of service delivery for persons with developmental disabilities, the parameters of the DDPC grant, and NYSACRA’s grant-related activities are presented in the paper’s Introduction. Differing Dreams: A Promising Approach presents the perspectives of individuals who participated in NYSACRA’s forums or responded to its survey, as well as NYSACRA’s research findings on shared or supported living. The paper’s third section, The New York State Experience, offers a discussion of current successful approaches, barriers and what needs to change in New York State in order to actualize the dreams of individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, seeking alternatives to traditional service delivery models. The final section, Resources, presents an annotated listing of articles and books on the topic. Although not an exhaustive list, the references cited provide valuable information for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, service providers, and public policy makers on creating innovative, individualized living options for persons with developmental disabilities.
It is hoped that this paper will serve as a springboard for further discussion and action to make the aspirations of many individuals with developmental disabilities and their families come true.
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