TCDD Position Statement: Community Living

Position Statements

The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities believes that individuals with disabilities should have access to opportunities and the supports needed to be included in community life, have interdependent relationships, live in homes and communities, and make contributions to their families, communities, the state, and the nation.

Individuals with disabilities must have access to the full range of accommodations necessary to ensure that living in their natural community is possible. These accommodations may take various forms such as personal attendant services, medication monitoring, respite, durable medical equipment, employment services, transportation, and/or minor home modifications. Accommodations may be sustained for either longer or shorter duration or may be of greater or lesser intensity depending on the need of the individual.

Services to children should be provided in their natural family setting. When children cannot remain with their natural families, they must be cared for using principles, policies and processes akin to those of permanency planning and have access to family-based alternatives that ensure enduring and nurturing relationships.

Adults with disabilities shall exercise choice and control about where, how, and with whom they live. They must be provided with assistance that may be needed to make these choices and to sustain choices regarding community living. Adults should have access to the services and supports they need to live in the community. The state of Texas must allocate the requisite resources to support community living for people with disabilities. In addition, the state must rapidly expand the availability of individualized community options, transition all individuals in state institutions to community living, commit to a transition plan to close state supported living centers and transfer any cost savings to quality community programs. Communities must also be cultivated to ensure local systems foster accessibility within and across all facets of community life, so that maintaining community placement is a feasible outcome for individuals with disabilities.

Reviewed August 6, 2010

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Public Policy Public Policy News TCDD Public Policy Input Advocacy 101 Texas Legislature TCDD Public Policy Priorities Position Statements Public Information Act Federal Policy Update Sunset Review	TCDD Position Statement: Community Living Position Statements Access to Health Care Aging with DD Children and Families Community Living Criminal Competency Education Emergency Preparedness Employment Family Support Services Guardianship Public Transportation Right to Privacy Service Coordination Transition from School to Adult Life The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities believes that individuals with disabilities should have access to opportunities and the supports needed to be included in community life, have interdependent relationships, live in homes and communities, and make contributions to their families, communities, the state, and the nation. Individuals with disabilities must have access to the full range of accommodations necessary to ensure that living in their natural community is possible. These accommodations may take various forms such as personal attendant services, medication monitoring, respite, durable medical equipment, employment services, transportation, and/or minor home modifications. Accommodations may be sustained for either longer or shorter duration or may be of greater or lesser intensity depending on the need of the individual. Services to children should be provided in their natural family setting. When children cannot remain with their natural families, they must be cared for using principles, policies and processes akin to those of permanency planning and have access to family-based alternatives that ensure enduring and nurturing relationships. Adults with disabilities shall exercise choice and control about where, how, and with whom they live. They must be provided with assistance that may be needed to make these choices and to sustain choices regarding community living. Adults should have access to the services and supports they need to live in the community. The state of Texas must allocate the requisite resources to support community living for people with disabilities. In addition, the state must rapidly expand the availability of individualized community options, transition all individuals in state institutions to community living, commit to a transition plan to close state supported living centers and transfer any cost savings to quality community programs. Communities must also be cultivated to ensure local systems foster accessibility within and across all facets of community life, so that maintaining community placement is a feasible outcome for individuals with disabilities. Reviewed August 6, 2010
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities 6201 E. Oltorf, Suite 600 Austin, TX 78741-7509 Phone: (512) 437-5432 Toll-Free: 1-800-262-0334 Accessibility \| Site Policies Copyright 2005-2012 - Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities Links from TCDD to other Internet sites are provided as a convenience for informational purposes. No official endorsement should be inferred.