Olmstead Planning Committee

Olmstead Planning Committee

Vision & Principles Statement – DRAFT July 26, 2012

Note: Added Safety and Risk

I.  Vision Statement

The Minnesota Olmstead Plan (Plan) will empower and support people with disabilities of all abilities regardless of age to live with dignity and independence in the most integrated setting consistent with their own dreams and aspirations and based upon their own informed choice. Expanding, strengthening, and integrating high quality and effective systems of community-based services and supports that are person-centered, as individually-controlled as is optimal, and adequately funded are the intended outcomes of the Plan.

II. Principles governing the content of the Plan

The primary principles governing the substance of the Plan are as follows:

·  Disability is a normal part of life.

·  A person with a disability is a whole human being equally worthy of dignity and respect as are other human beings.

·  “In enacting the ADA, Congress recognized that physical and mental disabilities in no way diminish a person’s right to fully participate in all aspects of society, but that people with physical or mental disabilities are frequently precluded from doing so because of prejudice, antiquated attitudes, or the failure to remove societal and institutional barriers” 42 USC §12101(a)(2) Note.

·  The State of Minnesota's “proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals” 42 USC §12101(a)(7).

·  The goal of community living in the most integrated setting appropriate based upon the informed choice of an individual with a disability, with needed, sufficiently-funded services and supports will be an important factor in state disability policy development and funding decisions.

·  People with disabilities of all ages and abilities must have access to community living opportunities including employment opportunities, accessible and affordable housing, public transportation, assistive technology, and health care, with access to the needed services and supports to make these opportunities a reality.

·  An accurate ongoing and comprehensive system of assessment of an individual’s abilities as well as functional limitations will be available in order to preclude unnecessary institutionalization and to ensure that individuals who desire to leave an institution and live, work play and participate in an integrated community are enabled to do so without undue delay.

·  A full range of services and supports are needed to address the broad range of persons with disabilities of all ages, abilities, limitations, and health conditions including persons with stable as well as degenerative chronic medical conditions.

·  Each individual with a disability will be empowered to make an Informed Choice notwithstanding any myths, fears or stereotypes which the individual may be experiencing regarding his or her capacity to live in the community with needed services and supports. The ability to make informed decisions will include the opportunity to speak with peers who are successfully living, learning, working and enjoying life in community-based integrated settings.

·  Every human being risks some degree of harm even when performing the simplest of daily activities. Freedom is more important than safety.

·  Accessibility, quality, person-centered planning and wherever possible, individually-controlled decision-making will be the goal when developing services and supports.

·  Systems of community-based care, services and supports must be strengthened, expanded and integrated to ensure access, effectiveness, efficiency and quality.

·  Public and private mechanisms of financing long-term care and supports must be reexamined to enable state, county, program and individual funding to be used in the most creative, effective and efficient means available.

·  Community-based services and supports as well as long-term care developed or maintained under this plan must be free of discrimination on all bases in accordance with applicable federal and state law and must address the diversity of individuals with disabilities in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, language, ability to communicate, sexual orientation, geography, and ability to pay.

III. Principles for Developing and Implementing the Plan

The primary principles that inform the development and implementation of the Plan are the following:

·  Individuals with disabilities, their families and advocates will play a central role in the Creation and implementation of the Plan.

·  The Plan will take into account past and current reform efforts.

·  The Plan will be developed and implemented with specific and achievable goals and timetables and in a manner which provides for transparency and accountability.

·  The Plan will promote the long-term effort necessary for its effective and efficient implementation regardless of changes in leadership.

·  The Plan is a work in progress. Ongoing community engagement will be critical to implementation, evaluation, and revision as the Plan evolves to meet changing needs and resources.

1 | Page