Standing up for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities, VOR volunteer leaders and advocates take their concerns to Congress

June 17, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tamie Hopp, Director of Government Relations & Advocacy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 605-399-1624

WASHINGTON, D.C. – From June 8 - 12, nearly 70 volunteers representing 22 states attended the VOR Annual Conference and Initiative in Washington, D.C. 

VOR is a national family/guardian organization advocating for high quality care and human rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Attendees were mostly families and some caregivers of people with profound intellectual disabilities.

VOR members and advocates attending this annual event were briefed on important issues affecting people who are medically fragile and are fully dependent on 24-7 care for survival.

Family advocates then visited all members of Congress. Other key federal agencies within the Administration also received VOR’s presentation.

Americans with severe and profound intellectual disabilities are being seriously threatened by closure of their homes by reduction in budgets and a shift of basic government philosophy that dictates all people are allegedly better served living in a community setting, even if needed medical and personal care is reduced to a point where lives are being threatened.  In addition to protesting home closures, VOR seeks community-based standards to address current deficiencies.

“We had a very productive week in Washington, D.C. and left committed to the challenges that impact our children,” said Ann Knighton, President of VOR.  “Generally, Members of Congress are empathetic to our concerns. It’s hard to argue against individual choice, family involvement and quality care across all settings.  Our challenge now is to turn this empathy into action on behalf of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.