VOR's Cristy Dwyer: New York's Olmstead Plan Must Include Choice
September 28, 2012
Olmstead Requires Personal Choice
Public Comments for the Proposed New York Olmstead Implementation Plan
Statement by Cristy Dwyer, VOR New York State Coordinator
New York State is developing its “Olmstead Implementation Plan.” Three public forms are being held to solicit suggestions from seniors, individuals with disabilities, families, advocates and providers of services on ways to improve the delivery of services to people with disabilities in the most integrated settings.
VOR’s New York State Coordinator, Cristy Dwyer, provided testimony on Friday, September 28, 2012 one of the three public forum opportunities.
“Olmstead requires consideration of personal choice, not just one choice. Forcing “integrated community settings” on every disabled person is the wrong starting point for Olmstead implementation,” stated Ms. Dwyer. “Instead, consistent with the decision, the Olmstead Implementation Plan should, with public input, determine how to meet its obligation to provide range of quality services to individuals with disabilities so that every individual can be served in the “most integrated setting appropriate to their needs,” from small to large public and private settings.”
