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Promises to Keep
Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Arc of Indiana was recently asked if the number of deaths of former residents of Fort Wayne State Developmental Center (FWSDC) is cause for concern. Our answer, one death is always one too many. Every death - regardless of where the person lives - must be carefully reviewed. The Arc pushed hard for the state to set up a formal process to study every death independently with outside advocates and experts. That process is in place and is working.

It is important to remember that when the state contracted with Liberty Health Care to manage FWSDC, basic health and safety standards were not being met. Liberty kept the facility in compliance, and managed the closure of Indiana’s last state operated facility for people with developmental disabilities. The closure of this last institution provides a time to reflect on the past and the future.

In 1956, The Arc of Indiana was founded by two mothers, Ilene Younger and Dorothy Burnside, who made the difficult decision to place their young daughters in a state operated facility. There were no supports to help them care for their daughters at home, and public schools would not allow them to attend school. Ilene and Dorothy, along with countless other parents, made it their life’s work to fight for the right for their children to attend public schools, work, and live in their own community.

Now, over fifty years later, many of Ilene and Dorothy’s dreams have been realized – all children can attend public schools; employment programs allow people with disabilities to work; and home and community based programs support families and allow adults with disabilities to live in their own home.

The next generation of advocates fights on, working to ensure former residents of state facilities receive the care they deserve; leading the fight to reduce waiting lists for home and community based services; advocating for early intervention and public school programs to truly meet the needs of children with disabilities; and continuing to call for widespread employment opportunities. These efforts have resulted in some recent, exciting announcements:

- Caregivers over the age of 80 can immediately receive home and community based supports to assist in caring for a loved one at home.

- 700 children and adults with developmental disabilities will move off waiting lists for home and community based supports.

- Beginning July 1, a crisis intervention service will bring immediate help to a person with a developmental disability in crisis.

- Plans are underway to ensure that when students with special needs leave school, community and vocational programs will be available without a wait.

There has been tremendous progress over the past fifty years. But, to paraphrase Robert Frost, we have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep. The Arc of Indiana will continue to fight for quality programs and services for all children and adults with developmental disabilities.