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Mission • About our Name • The Next Generation • EP Spotlight on VOR
Join Now!
Who we are:
How do we support residential choice, rights and adequate
funding for people with mental retardation?
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VOR
monitors legal cases and participates as Amicus ("Friend of the
Court") when federal or state legal decisions will have national
implications. Frequent concerns include: 1) rights or funding for
residential and support options for people with mental retardation;
and/or 2) the rights of families and guardians to participate in
decisionmaking. (see Legal
Resources). VOR has participated as Amicus in three
U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Olmstead
v. L.C., Garrett v. Alabama, and Heller v. Doe). VOR has also
participated as Amicus in three federal appellate cases and
provided advocacy support to VOR members in many other states.
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| VOR speaks out by communicating our positions
to state and federal elected officials and policymakers. We also
activate our national network of grassroots advocates through
frequent Action Alerts and an
Annual Meeting and
Washington Initiative in
Washington, D.C. The June 2004 Washington Initiative
focused on maintaining Medicaid funding with a visit to every Member of
Congress (see our legislative positions at the
VOR Action Center). We once again provided every Member of Congress
with facts and literature in support of our positions. |
| VOR helps establish quality outcome standards for community
settings, as well as maintaining the option for certified large
facilities. We do this through communication with federal officials,
testimony, comments, and publications. |
| VOR arranged for a
peer-reviewed study comparing the costs of caring for people with
mental retardation in community or institutional settings. Published in
Mental Retardation (April
2003), this study concluded that if all factors were considered, the costs are
approximately equivalent. |
| VOR advocates for access to quality medical and dental care for people with
mental retardation. VOR works with other organizations, the government
and private facilities to establish guidelines and resources for the
ongoing health of people with mental retardation who need specialized
care and equipment. |
| Education is the key to the best outcome for
all people with mental retardation. VOR presents to family and other
groups across the country and supplies our membership with facts, figures, and
unbiased information on a variety of topics. Visit our
Activities and Resources
and Action Center pages for examples.
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Help VOR strengthen our
national voice!
Join us in advocating for a choice of homes and services for persons with
mental retardation. As a member of VOR, you will receive a quarterly newsletter
and weekly e-mail updates filled with valuable and timely information about issues important to you.
Membership Application
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