Moving on Out… Has Illinois lived up to
the promise of the ADA and Olmstead for
people moving out of nursing homes to the community?

SUMMARY OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TRANSITIONING OUT OF NURSING HOMES TO THE COMMUNITY

The following evidence was found in interviews with 15 people with disabilities transitioning out of nursing homes to the community in Illinois. Interviews were done by peer mentors with disabilities from Access Living’s Independent Voices and students from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 15 people were interviewed. This is part of a larger national project to interview 300 people with disabilities who are moving out of nursing homes & institutions to the community ala Olmstead across the country. The project is funded through a grant from the National Institute of Disability & Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). For more information, or to find out about participating, please contact Joy Hammel at 312-996-3513; .

Info on Olmstead Participants Interviewed (n=15)

Characteristics / Count
Living situation / In Community (transitioned out of NH) / 10
In Institution or Nursing Home / 5
Sex / Male / 11
Female / 3
Racial background / African American / 11
Caucasian / 1
Other / 2
Education / Less than high school / 4
High school or equivalent / 2
Associates or Some college / 7
College grad / 1
Marital status / Single / 6
Divorced/widowed/separated / 7
Married / 1
Age / 30-44 / 2
45-64 / 12

What Did We Find?

I.  Issues and Problems with Participation in the Nursing Home vs. the Community
(Institution = Nursing Home)

II.  Issues Faced in the Community after Transitioning

Is inadequate transportation a problem for you?

/ Problem /
Institution / 60% /
Community / 50% /

Are you currently working for pay?

·  0% working for pay
(compared to national data showing 33% people with disabilities currently working for pay; 68% people without disabilities working for pay).

Do you WANT TO work for pay?

·  100% yes

Olmstead Group: ADA Participation Barriers & Supports

For more information, contact Joy Hammel at 3129963513; 1