Olmstead Anniversary Celebrated Amid Report on Deaths in Community Group Homes
Advocates and people with developmental disabilities celebrated the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision at the Carter Center in Atlanta yesterday. The decision says those with developmental disabilities have the right to receive services in the community rather than institutions when it's appropriate and they can reasonably be accommodated. But a new report shows moving those with disabilities from institutions into community group homes has been problematic for some.
Inside the Carter Center, Lois Curtis received a standing ovation. Prior to Olmstead, she was institutionalized in a state run hospital. The Georgia native was living with developmental disabilities and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was her case and another Georgia plaintiff which led to the landmark 1999 decision under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Curtis was able to leave the institution and is now an artist and activist. She said few words during the anniversary celebration, but showed one of her pictures.
29-year-old Sheila Jeffrey lived in and out of Central state hospital since she was seven, but she says she was finally able to leave the hospital for good thanks to Olmstead.
"I moved out in 2007. I live on my own, I have a small child, I'm enjoying life, and I am person with a disability."
Read the complete story here: http://wabe.org/post/olmstead-anniversary-celebrated-amid-report-deaths-community-group-homes
The original story appeared on WABE-90.1 on June 24, 2014.
