Talking Points

Community integration and inclusion for individuals with DD is a civil rights issue.
Appropriate supports allow individuals with developmental disabilities to live full, productive lives in the community. Greater public awareness of individually appropriate supports by the public, government, non-government, and disability organizations can grow through collaborative efforts.
Financial resources should be allocated to develop community-based services rather than continuing to support segregated institutions, such as training centers and nursing homes.
Eliminating the dual system of services will allow the Commonwealth to serve all citizens. In FY ’12, the Commonwealth’s budget allocates more than $240 million per year on state training centers.
As state-operated institutions downsize and close, the Commonwealth would benefit economically from other options—such as selling the properties and transitioning residents to private, affordable accessible housing.
Waiver “wait lists” will decrease if funding is re-allocated from training centers to community-based supports.
More jobs in the community will be created to support individuals as residents transition out of training centers and nursing homes.
Virginia is one of only 10 states that has not closed state institutions.
Other states are far ahead of Virginia, which remains at 46th out of 50 states in funding for community-based supports.

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