|
Registration is now open for the 2010 VOR Annual Conference and Washington Initiative, to be held June 4 - 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
This year participants will hear presentations from Tom York, an attorney specializing in disability litigation; a representative from the Administration (pending); Paul Heckt, an estate planning attorney; and a representative from Capitol Hill who will provide an update on federal disability policy. Conference registration fees begin at $40 for members who register early. Registration fees include a continental breakfast and plated lunch. Register online today and join us to enjoy great networking and presentations specifically geared to enhance effective CHOICE advocacy. Immediately following the VOR also hosts a Washington Initiative during the week following the conference. During this time, VOR volunteers canvass Congress with materials relating to our legislative priorities. There is no separate registration fee for the Washington Initiative.
Other events include a State Reports Forum and a Membership Form. Complete conference details, including hotel and transportation information, and a printer friendly registration form are available here, or you can register online.
For more information, please contact Tamie Hopp at 877-399-4VOR (4867) or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for any questions.
Sponsorship and Exhibit or Conference Program Recognition opportunities are available to individuals, organizations and businesses that would like to support this event. For details visit VOR's Sponsor page. |
|
On August 17, 2009, VOR submitted its comments in response to the federal Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which oversees Medicaid programs. The ANPRM asked for comments relating to allowing states to combine home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers for people with different disabilties who have similar functional needs. CMS also sought input on how to define "community."
In its comment, VOR expressed significant concern that current state budget woes and administrative conveniences would prove too great of temptations to States, leading to dangerous comingling of people with incompatable disability-types, leading to tragic consequences. Many real life examples were cited to reinforce VOR's stated concerns. With regard to defining community, VOR pointed out that both facilities and smaller settings can be "integrated." Our comments reinforce the need for choice, and Olmstead's support for choice. |
|
VOR has launched a Petition which calls for “Support for a Full Array of Residential and Support Options for People with Developmental Disabilities.” VOR seeks thousands of signatures in support of the Petition, which will be presented to Congress.
To review the complete Petition and SIGN THE PETITION go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/DDchoice/petition.html
VOR supports at common sense approach to public policy on behalf of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD).
|
|
Read more...
|
|
TO: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
RE: RECENT EFFORTS TO DILUTE THE RIGHTS OF LEGAL GUARDIANS OF PERSONS WITH PROFOUND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
DATE: January 14, 2009
I represent VOR, a national advocacy organization representing people with developmental disabilities, and their families.
Nearly all of our members have family members with severe and profound mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Our loved ones need substantial support in every aspect of life including walking, communicating, bathing, eating and toileting. They function at an infant or toddler’s level although fully grown; they also endure multiple disabilities, chronic medical conditions and/or behavioral challenges. Many also have seizure disorders, mental illness, visual or hearing impairments, or have a combination of these conditions.
In most cases, our loved ones and their peers have been adjudicated incompetent and a legal guardian has been appointed for them, usually a parent or close relative.
We have a serious concern which falls within the Commission’s work on legal issues relating to “capacity, guardianship and surrogate decision-making,” as well as within “disability and individual rights.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
As part of the new Obama Administration's transition efforts, in January 2009, VOR submitted its Policy Recommendations in support of a full array of residential and support options for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
By Edward Carraway, Supporters for Residential Choices for the Developmentally Disabled
St. Petersburg Times, February 5, 2007
The names and numbers are familiar: 2164 W First St., 5820 Buckingham Road, 3255 Hemingway Blvd., 3700 Williams Drive, 100 Bayou Drive and 1621 NE Waldo Road.
These are the addresses of people's homes - hundreds of people. They all happen to be planned communities, homes to people with similar interests and needs. Some are retirement communities, and some are upscale living centers located by the water and golf courses.
The people whose homes are at those addresses also are Floridians who have profound mental retardation, have multiple physical disabilities, are medically fragile and/or experience significant behavioral challenges.
Like Florida seniors and others who embrace planned communities, residents of Florida's residential campuses for people with profound mental retardation - Gulf Coast Fort Myers, Sunland (Marianna) and Tachachale (Gainesville) - have safe and comfortable accommodations, with ample opportunity to socialize with peers and neighbors. They receive compassionate life-sustaining support from specialists and direct care staffers, some of whom have worked with residents for decades.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
