The Arc of Minnesota - Position Statement on Role of Government in Disability Policy

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Position Statement of the Role of Government in Disability Policy

ISSUE:

Government policies at the federal, state and local level directly affect the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition to policy decisions made by elected officials, implementation decisions by administrative departments at all levels effectively determine the quality of life enjoyed by individuals with disabilities and their families. Given the enormous power that government at all levels has over disability policy and implementation, the disability community must clearly articulate its criteria for evaluation of policy decisions and administrative action by governmental entities. The disability community must formulate principles and guidelines to evaluate disability policy and the ongoing design of a system of services and supports for individuals with disabilities.

POSITION:

The Arc of Minnesota believes that the provision of services and support for individuals with disabilities is a natural and necessary obligation of government at all levels. Resources of the community must be used to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to be an integral part of the community. Exclusion, segregation, dehumanization, and denial of services or supports through various means, such as waiting lists, are unacceptable. Government policy must focus not just on a minimum standard of the protection of health and safety but be committed to consider the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

The Arc of Minnesota believes that it is the obligation of government to adequately plan for resources to meet the current and future needs of individuals with disabilities. The Arc of Minnesota believes that government must provide effective methods to assure the quality of supports and services provided to individuals with disabilities, including consumer involvement in the assessment process. The Arc of Minnesota believes that the responsibility of government to provide services and supports for individuals with disabilities must not be delegated to private entities. Such entities have an incentive to limit services and supports for individuals with disabilities in order to maximize their own profit, unless sufficient safeguards and quality standards are applied. The Arc of Minnesota believes that the following general principles should be used to evaluate government policy decisions affecting individuals with disabilities and the implementation of those decisions:

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY Policy implementation must be individualized. Decisions affecting an individual with disabilities should be based on facts, objective evidence, and state-of-the-art practices, but the greatest weight should be given to the needs and preferences of the individual. All individuals with disabilities need an effective and meaningful opportunity to have policies, practices, and procedures that provide reasonable accommodation for their individual needs and preferences. Consumer direction is vital and should represent a true partnership of government resources with individual needs and preferences. All programs and services should be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate for the individual’s needs and preferences. The presumption must be that public programs are provided in an inclusive setting with necessary supports. The burden of proof must be on the government agency to demonstrate why inclusion is not appropriate based on the unique needs of the individual. Administrative convenience should be only a minor consideration.
FULL PARTICIPATION Individuals with disabilities and their families must have active and meaningful involvement in the policy decisions which affect them. The making of disability policy at all levels of government and administration must include real and meaningful participation by individuals with disabilities and their families. Disability policies, practices, and procedures must provide for the empowerment of individuals with disabilities and their families, based on principles of self advocacy, person-centered planning, person-centered budgeting, self-determination, and real, informed choice.
INDEPENDENT LIVING Independent living for persons with disabilities should be a goal for disability policy. Fostering independence rather than dependence is desirable. However, this policy goal must be modified based on individual needs, abilities, and preferences. The development of independent living skills should be encouraged, but if long-term services and supports are needed by an individual, those services and supports should be readily available, and the personnel providing those services should be adequately compensated.
ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY Economic self-sufficiency should be a goal of disability policy. Meaningful employment-related services and supports should be available to individuals with disabilities based on their individual needs, abilities, and preferences. Cash assistance must be available to supplement or, if necessary, replace work activity, depending on the needs of the individual.

Approved by delegate body at The Arc of Minnesota Annual Meeting on November 12, 2005.

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