Introducing Olmstead

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Introducing Olmstead

• What is the Olmstead Decision about? Its about

Freedom.
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Introducing Olmstead

• Freedom to choose
• where you live.

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Introducing Olmstead

• Freedom to be near your family and friends.

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Introducing Olmstead

• Freedom to have a job.

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Introducing Olmstead

• Freedom to take part
• in the life of your
• community.

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Introducing Olmstead
What is the
Olmstead Decision?

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Introducing Olmstead

• It is a US Supreme Court Decision that says the
  unnecessary segregation of people with
  disabilities is illegal discrimination.

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It answers this question

• Does the Americans with Disabilities Act require
  states to provide treatment in the community for
  people who have disabilities?

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The Olmstead Decision says

• No one should have to live
• in an institution or a nursing home
• if they can live in their own community
• with the right supports.

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The Olmstead Decision has
bipartisan support

• President Bush supports it in Executive
  order 1327, and in his New Freedom
  Initiative.

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Introducing Olmstead

• What is the
  Olmstead Decision?

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Introducing Olmstead

• It is a US Supreme Court Decision that says the
  unnecessary segregation of people with
  disabilities is illegal discrimination.

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Introducing Olmstead
It is discrimination when

• You can only get services in an institution.
• You dont have real choices about services.
• You cant get services in the most integrated
  setting that meets your needs.

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Introducing Olmstead

• Olmstead has been called the most important
  civil rights law since the Civil Rights Act of
  1964.

• It isnt going to go away.

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Introducing Olmstead

• What can you do?

1. Understand your rights under Olmstead.
2. Deal with problem areas -- Talk with your
family and friends, service providers,
legislators. Be an agent for change.
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Introducing Olmstead

• Olmstead in a nutshell?

No one should have to live
in an institution or a nursing home
if they can live in their own
community
with the right supports.
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Introducing Olmstead

• No one.

Not you.
Not your aging parent.
Not your medically fragile child.
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For more information

• Visit our web siteOlmstead--Real Choices for
  Iowa

olmsteadrealchoicesia.org