Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

The following information was presented at the Illinois 2004 Systems Change Seminar. Topics presented included: trends in long-term care, progress on the Illinois Community-based Treatment Alternatives for Children (CTAC) grants, the Illinois Housing Development Authority and how its work pertains to persons with disabilities, and Michigan’s progress on its Real Choice Systems Change grants.

This brief recognizes the issues that face home care workers – including low wages, difficult work, and few, if any, benefits. At the same time, demands for home health care are increasing. This document, written on behalf of the Service Employees International Union, advocates on behalf of home health workers to raise wages in order to encourage participation in a workforce that assists Illinois vulnerable populations.

This manual provides guidance for people with disabilities who are interested in owning their homes. Topics covered include: financing homeownership, understanding credit and budgets, Fair Housing Laws, finding a home, home inspections, buying and closing on a house, and home maintenance and assistance.

The Illinois Homeownership Coalition for People with Disability (HCPD) has a comprehensive set of documents pertaining to its advocacy and assistance for homeownership. The organization’s goal is to assist people with disability in purchasing their homes, allowing them to maintain independence and living in their communities. Review the application, brochure and checklist.

Community Service Options, Inc (CSO) is an organization dedicated to assisting persons with developmental disability to receive service and live in the “least restrictive” setting. CSO provides screening, eligibility assessment, service coordination, and advocacy throughout the Chicago area. The website provides links to their services and assessment tools.

Community Service Options, Inc. (CSO), has put together this Question and Answer document regarding its housing initiative. This worksheet discusses independent living and “least restrictive” options for disabled and elderly persons, while including information about the limitations in eligibility for such housing. Finally, CSO discusses advocacy methods for increasing the availability of independent living options.

Many disability advocates need up to date statistics by State or county for people with disabilities. The 2005 American Community Survey provides useful current data available by State and county level. Advocates can use this data and the information can inform public planning processes.

These guidelines were written to ensure that people with disabilities receive the support and assistance they need to fully contribute to NASDDDS sponsored activities, however the issues, challenges, and solutions offered are universally applicable to the involvement of all self advocates. This document provides a framework for involving recipients of state-funded developmental disabilities services in meetings and activities in an effort to obtain their valuable expertise perspective.

For more than three decades, CQL has been at the forefront of the movement to improve the quality of services and supports for people with intellectual disabilities and people with mental illness. Plan to attend one of their upcoming regional conferences or review the overview from last year's session on the Community Life Initiatives. Visitors to the website can register for Capstone, the CQL Newsletter, read archived issues, or review their innovative and one-of-a-kind tools and resources.

Forty-three states and territories have received three-year competitive grants since the ADRC program was launched. This report details findings at the overall ADRC level and the pilot level on the outcomes, accomplishments, and contributions of the ADRC program over the grant period, including more immediate results related to key consumer and program outcomes. It also documents lessons learned and program and policy implications at the pilot, state, and national level.