Letters To The Editor - Chicago Tribune
Access Living applauds Governor Quinn's January 19 decision to close the Jacksonville Developmental Center. For more than 20 years, people with disabilities and their transition from institutions and into their own community-supported homes has been a top national disability advocacy issue. In Illinois alone, if given the opportunity, thousands of currently institutionalized people would choose to live in their own homes.
While Access Living supports the closure of Jacksonville, the announcement to close the state-operated mental health center in Tinley Park emphasizes critical need to ensure that the disabled have quality community support services. Unlike Jacksonville, the Tinley Park Center is not a long-term care residence. Before Tinley Park's closure, Illinois must guarantee that vital, crisis-related services for people with disabilities are available, especially during a transition period. Resource access is vital considering current cut state mental health services.
The process must include the voice of people with disabilities for Jacksonville and Tinley Park. If Illinois collaborates with all involved parties, then less expensive home-based services will save Illinois money, offer community jobs, and recognize the people's disability civil rights to receive support in the most integrated setting.
--Marca Bristo, president & CEO, Access Living, Chicago
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-120125bristo_briefs,0,5384639.story
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