"Self-Determination Resolution: For the Full Citizenship of People with Developmental Disabilities"

Whereas, self-determination means that “people and families are entitled to the freedom, authority, and support to control, direct, and manage their own services, supports, and funding. Individuals and families have the right to select their own services and supports as well as decide how and by whom supports are provided;” 1 and, Whereas, self-determination means that “people and families must have meaningful leadership roles at all levels. It is crucial that government, providers, and community organizations welcome, listen to and collaborate with people and families in solving problems, making decisions, and pursuing excellence;” 1and,

Whereas, self-determination means that “people with developmental disabilities want to and can make valuable contributions to their communities. There must be supports that assist people to make a difference. Youth and adults must be supported to have real jobs, earn money, or run their own businesses;” 1 and,

Whereas, it is estimated that there are more than 104,7322 North Carolinians with developmental disabilities who are mobilizing to vote in upcoming elections; and,

Whereas, people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina are still living in restrictive environments such as state Mental Retardation Centers, group homes, and nursing homes without full access to their communities, and the number of individuals living in North Carolina’s Mental Retardation Centers is 43% 3 above the national average; and,

Whereas the 2001 comprehensive study of North Carolina’s Developmental Disabilities services recommended that North Carolina should reduce the number of people living in its Mental Retardation Centers by 50% by 20073; and,

Whereas, ADA regulations state that “a public entity shall administer services, programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities” 4 and also that “a public entity shall make reasonable modifications in its policies, practices, or procedures when modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination, unless…modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service program or activity;” 5 and,

Whereas, the Olmstead Decision provided by the Supreme Court said that the standards would be met if the state has a comprehensive, effectively working plan for people with developmental disabilities to be in the community and a waiting list that moves at a reasonable pace, not controlled by the state; and,

Whereas the North Carolina State Plan 2001 directs in its guiding principles that “services should be provided in the most integrated community setting suitable to the needs and preferences of the individual and planned in partnership with the consumer;” 6 and,

Whereas, people with developmental disabilities still need sufficient transportation, housing, medical services, and person-centered supports; and,

Whereas, people with developmental disabilities still need access and full participation in their communities including grocery stores, communities of faith, hospitals, libraries, restaurants, places of employment, and government offices;

Now, therefore be it resolved that North Carolinians with disabilities, their families, and other concerned citizens request that the state of North Carolina by an act of the General Assembly embrace self-determination by supporting people with developmental disabilities to choose where they live, work, and play as full citizens in their communities.

1 Person Centered Supports --- They’re for Everyone!, December 2000, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc. Prepared as part of the “Reinventing Quality” Project, a three-year project funded by the DHHS Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (Grant No. 90DN0062). 2 Total Population of North Carolina (6,628,637) multiplied by the percent of the population with MR and/or DD (1.58%) = 104,732. Justification for these numbers can be found in the following: Data Set: Census 2000 Supplementary Survey Census Tables; Geographic Area: North Carolina, U.S. Census Bureau. Prevalence of Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities: Analysis of the 1194/1995 NHIS-D, April 2000, MR/DD Data Brief, Volume 2, No. 1, Research and Training Center on Community Living, Institute on Community Integration (UCDD), The college of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.

3”Today’s Choice: Tomorrow’s Path”, comprehensive study of North Carolina’s Developmental Disabilities services, presented to the North Carolina Legislative Oversight Committee on October 9, 2001 by the Human Services Research Institute

4 Americans with Disabilities Act, 28 CFR 35.130 (d) (The “Integration Mandate”)

5 Americans with Disabilities Act, 28 CFR 35.130 (b)(7)

6 “Blueprint for Change”, North Carolina’s 2001 State Reform Plan for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services