The DOJ Opinion on Olmstead caused a ripple of concern across the disability community – and rightfully so. The opinion states that the federal government will leave community living to states, making institutionalization and locking people up a dire outcome. This opinion encroaches on the basic civil rights of people with disabilities – to live, work, play, worship, and contribute to the community of their choice.
HOME SWEET HOME
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR CHOICE.
Like the advocates before us who made community living a reality, it’s time to educate and build communities to remind everyone that a community that includes everyone, even those with disabilities, is better for everyone. NACDD is launching Home Sweet Home: Your Community. Your Choice. It’s a new public information campaign to help everyone advocate and build relationships where it matters most – in their hometown. And while it’s a complex topic, NACDD is going to try to keep it simple. We are going to provide educational topics so you understand what this means to you in your daily life.
Then, we are asking our entire community to do a few things:
1. Talk to your state lawmakers.
We know you’ve heard this one before. And here’s why it’s important. This opinion is going to put the power to the states to decide what community living means to them and how it should be met in their states. This means your state lawmaker needs to hear from you. They are in charge of writing and passing the state budget, and guess what, that budget includes YOU. Meet them, call them, and engage with them. Tell them what your daily life is, and why living in the community matters to you and is also good for everyone.
2. Talk to Your Neighbor.
Lawmakers are important, and so are the members of your community. From your faith group, book club, coffee shop, to your OT/PT, doctors, dentists, and more, these are the people that make your community…yours. NACDD has published a toolkit to help you get the conversation started. Then, together, advocate for a community that looks out for one another.
3. State Resources and Links
Advocacy starts at the state level. Find resources and state links with information you can take back to your state to advocate for community living. These links share state guidance and resources that you can ask about and advocate for to make sure that you and/or your family member with a disability can live in the community of there choice.
4. Olmstead Fact Sheets
Developed by NACDD’s Leaders with Lived Experiences committee, these Olmstead Fact Sheets bring it back to the basics. What is Olmstead, what it means for you, and why it’s always an important conversation for people with disabilities. The worksheets were developed by Emmanuel Jenkins, Vice Chair, NACDD; and Rachel Engle, LLE Committee Member.