Doug Gallion’s Post

True or False? 🏠 People with I/DD have a legal right to live in the community and to receive the necessary services and supports. 👨🏻🦽👨🏻🦯 Life in the community provides opportunities for dignity, freedom, choice, and a sense of belonging that are not possible in an institutional environment. Both are absolutely TRUE‼️ North Carolina, needs a strategic plan with multi-year goals and a multi-year financial commitment to make both of these legal rights, a reality for our members who want those options.☑️☑️ Building community capacity for those who choose to exercise these rights is a priority under Olmstead and it’s’ also just the fair and equitable thing to do.👍🏻 Down-sizing our institutions can’t occur unless NC expands community capacity and also expands our community-based service options for those waiting for/ or needing services and supports. 🏢 The longer North Carolina chooses not to expand its’ community capacity and community-based services, the more at risk the state is of denying people of their legal rights and will continue to be subject to further Olmstead and ADA scrutiny from DOJ.⚖️