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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..

Membership Application

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-258-5273 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com