WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

For over 25 years, VOR, a national, nonprofit organization, has been advocating in support of family decision-making rights and a continuum of care options for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, including own home, family home, community based options and facility-based care.

VOR is the only national advocacy organization that expressly opposes efforts to eliminate the facility option while also supporting the expansion of quality community programs. VOR advocates that final determination of what is appropriate depends on the unique abilities, needs and desires of each individual, with the input of family and guardians where necessary and appropriate.

Your donations have provided the needed support for VOR to accomplish:

Legislative Milestones

• 1993: VOR secures individual and family "primary decision-maker" language in the federal DD Act
• 1997: VOR forms its first Legislative Committee
• 1998: VOR secures the introduction of federal legislation seeking protections for people with mental retardation in Medicaid managed care. VOR receives commendation by the bill's sponsor in the Congressional Record
• 2000: VOR secures stronger "primary decision-making" language in the DD act
• 2006: VOR hires its first Washington Representative, Larry Innis
• 2007-2008: VOR secures the introduction of H.R. 3995, a bill aimed at requiring federally funded lawyers to notify individuals and their guardians prior to filing class action lawsuits, and offer an opportunity to opt out of the lawsuit
• 2009: VOR secures the reintroduction of H.R. 3995, now H.R. 1255

VOR's Legal Advocacy Program: Choices for a Lifetime, Options For All

• 1993: VOR is Amicus Curiae in Heller v. Doe (US Supreme Court), successfully arguing in support of family participation in placement decisions
• 1999: VOR, with 141 organizations, is Amicus Curiae in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C. The Supreme Court cites VOR's brief
• 2000: VOR, with 93 organizations, is Amicus Curiae in Garrett v. University of Alabama, defending the constitutionality of the Americans wit Disabilities Act
• 2005: VOR establishes the Burke Legal Support Fund and recruits Martha Dwyer to serve as VOR's volunteer Pro Bono Coordinating Counsel