ICFs/MR as Permanent Homes

Individuals with developmental disabilities and mental retardation who qualify for Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICFs/MR) have a legal right to access and to stay at those facilities as long as they remain eligible and choose to do so, and thus they have a right to consider ICFs/MR their permanent home.

For full letter addressing Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation as Permanent Homes click here.

Illinois Judge Sides with Choice, Rejects Settlement

Illinois Judge sides with choice; rejects proposed settlement and decertifies class

Residents of Illinois’ private facilities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families celebrated an early-July decision in Ligas v. Maram. The lawsuit, filed by Illinois’ Protection & Advocacy against the State of Illinois, has concerned the families of people with developmental disabilities who are private facility residents after learning of its filing in 2005. The lawsuit, filed by just nine plaintiffs, was filed on behalf of a class of 6,000 people.

VOR Legal Activities

VOR's Choices for a Lifetime, Options for All legal advocacy program minimizes the injustice of excluding families by defending choice and empowering families in the legal system. Justice regarding residential placement options for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities is best achieved when those most familiar with the needs of the residents are involved (see, Heller v. Doe, 509 U.S. 312, 328-30 (1993)).

Does my child need a guardian?

The question is always asked: "Do I need to ask the court to make me the legal guardian for my adult child with a disability?" The answer is nearly always the same: "it depends."