Priorities and Objectives

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES - Fiscal Year 2013

(October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013)COMMUNITY INTEGRATION 

PRIORITY I:  People with disabilities will live in the community of their choice with the supports they need.

Objective:  Assist people with disabilities to move from nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities (ICF/ID), and institutions for mental disease (IMD) or to remain in the community if at risk of a nursing facility, ICF/ID, and IMD placement.       

PRIORITY II:  Individuals with disabilities will have better access to appropriate mental health care coverage and services.

Objective:  Influence policy makers to improve the quality of mental health services.

PRIORITY III:  People with disabilities will have access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services that they need.

Objective: provide individual and systemic advocacy to ensure access to assistive technology.

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION 

PRIORITY:  Public or private services will not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 or the Fair Housing Act.

Objective #1:  Address selected cases of alleged illegal discrimination by state or local government entities.                         

Objective #2:  Address selected cases of alleged illegal discrimination by private entities.

Objective# 3:  Address selected cases of alleged illegal discrimination by landlords and housing providers.

EDUCATION 

PRIORITY I:  Students with disabilities will receive appropriate education services.

Objective #1:  Provide individual advocacy to students with disabilities whose suspension or expulsion violates provisions of the IDEA or Section 504.

Objective #2:  Educate parents and policy makers about the practice of unnecessary restraint and seclusion of students with disabilities.

Objective #3:  Students will not be denied access to new technologies and/or online learning services based upon disability.              

PRIORITY II:  Students with disabilities will have access to transition services.

Objective:  Ensure students have access to transition age services.                       

EMPLOYMENT 

PRIORITY I:  Social Security beneficiaries will obtain or retain employment.

Objective:  Reduce barriers to employment for beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Insurance.

PRIORITY II:  Increase access to Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) funded services [e.g., Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR), Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI), Independent Living Centers (ILC)].

Objective:  Provide individual and systemic advocacy to reduce barriers in accessing RSA funded services.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS 

PRIORITY I:  People with disabilities will not be subjected to unnecessary or abusive guardianships or conservatorships.

Objective #1:  Increase public awareness as to the rights of people with disabilities who are, or may be subject to, a guardianship or conservatorship.

Objective #2:  Protect the rights of people with disabilities who are seeking to change or prevent an unnecessary or abusive guardianship.

PRIORITY II:  People with disabilities will have access to Social Security benefits.

Objective:  People with disabilities who are entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income will receive their benefits.

PRIORITY III:  People with disabilities will be protected from discrimination in decisions involving denial of medical treatment and end-of-life decisions.

Objective:  Preserve and improve current protections in the Idaho Code which prevent disability discrimination in medical decisions.

PRIORITY IV:  Participate in systemic advocacy that protects and promotes the rights of people with disabilities.

Objective:  Participate with stakeholders and disability groups on task forces, workgroups and councils that provide the opportunity to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.

MEDICAID 

PRIORITY I:  People with disabilities will have increased access to Medicaid services.

Objective: Address Medicaid rules or practices that violate federal or state laws and that create barriers to service.

PRIORITY II:  Idaho’s Medicaid program will provide access to adequate community based treatment and services for people with disabilities.

Objective:  Address systemic public policy issues in the Idaho Medicaid or managed care programs.

PRIORITY III:  Eligible individuals will receive Medicaid for Worker’s with Disabilities.

Objective:  Reduce barriers for accessing MWD program.

OUTREACH/TRAINING 

PRIORITY I:  People with disabilities will have increased access to the services offered by DisAbility Rights Idaho.

Objective #1:  Conduct outreach to military veterans, their families and veteran organizations.

Objective #2:  Conduct outreach to individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk for experiencing homelessness.

Objective #3:      Conduct outreach in the community to increase awareness of DRI services.

RIGHTS IN FACILITIES 

 PRIORITY I:  People with disabilities will live free from abuse.

Objective #1:  Address issues of restraints and/or seclusion in facilities.

Objective #2:  Affect changes in policy or practice by investigating instances of death at facilities.