Least Restrictive?
Olmstead requires that people
live in the least restrictive environment.
For those with profound disabilities, is a community program truly the
least restrictive environment? What are
the limitations of community living?
Just as all persons with developmental
or intellectual disabilities are different and have different needs, community
programs differ across the country.
Communities differ. Some
bureaucrats and advocacy groups are quick to put persons with disabilities and
communities into one neat box. One size
does not fit all.
In Wyoming, the Life Resource
Center offers many services in one place.
Residents receive day services, physical therapy, aquatic therapy,
equine therapy, behavioral services, medical and dental services, pre-vocational
services, medical services, and dental services all on the same campus. These
services are provided by professionals who have experience and expertise with
developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The community programs don’t
provide medical, dental, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, or behavioral
health services and are limited to what is available in the community. Our smaller communities have limited
resources; including medical, dental, and mental health services. At times, providers
are not familiar with the complexities involved with the developmentally
disabled; especially the profoundly disabled with complex medical needs. In many Wyoming communities, people travel to
receive medical, dental, or mental health services. These limitations affect those living at home
with family as well.
Community integration is one of
the larger arguments for deinstitutionalization. In fact, new rules require persons in adult day
services (formerly day habilitation) spend a certain amount of time in the
community. For residents of Wyoming,
this rule is far-fetched; especially considering the lack of cultural venues in
smaller communities and seasonal weather. In addition, not all programs have
the staffing or equipment necessary to take their clients out into the community.
Policy changes are made by
bureaucrats without input from those who are working directly with community
program participants and without considering the impact of those policies. Despite the intention to fully integrate
persons with disabilities into their communities, true integration is not
always possible.