Choices for a lifetime: Options for all
Throughout the lifetime of a family member with special needs,
families are faced with difficult decisions. When a child has severe mental
retardation or violent and uncontrollable behavior, these decisions are made
even more difficult as families struggle to provide their children with a life
full of experiences and opportunity for maximum potential. Appropriate
educational and residential options are among the many decisions families of
children with special needs must face.
Recognizing that every person with special needs has unique
strengths, abilities and needs, Voice of the Retarded (VOR) supports a full
array of educational and residential options. This includes options ranging from
educational services in regular classrooms to self-contained special education
schools or specialized residential settings. Similarly, VOR believes that
residential options should mirror the diversity of people with special needs
from in-home supports to Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded
(i.e., institutions). In every case, VOR advocates that the final determination
of what is appropriate depends on the needs of the individual.
VOR is the only national organization supporting a full array of
residential and educational options. Other groups oppose specialized educational
and residential opportunities in favor of full mainstreaming, closed admissions
and elimination of the ICF/MR option. VOR opposes these initiatives because they
limit legitimate choice and dismantle programs that are specially designed to
assist individuals with severe mental retardation, medical complexities, and
extreme behavioral challenges. Furthermore, elimination of many ICFs/MR across
the country have meant that adults with severe mental retardation, medical
complexities and/or behavioral issues are without adequate services, especially
when they age out of an educational program.
VOR's Mission is to preserve the full continuum of educational
and residential placement options. VOR has people across the country that can
help get information on all types of schools and residential placements. Please
consider supporting VOR through your membership contribution. All people with
mental retardation need your help and support..
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