A Statement on Behalf of People Who, Due to Past Institutional Deprivation, Poverty, and Other Circumstances, Are Especially Vulnerable to Exploitation and Neglect and Who Present Special Challenges in Meeting Their Human and Progressive Needs

EX-RESIDENTS OF STATE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED HAVE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS:

To live in safe residential neighborhoods and to be free from unusual dangers to their possessions and personal security;

To reside in decent, safe, clean, and comfortable housing, with adequate heat and utilities and appropriate furnishings;

To have regular and nutritious meals in accord with individual tastes and preferences;

To be free to determine their own personal appearance and clothing;

To select their own friends and social activities;

To receive essential and appropriate health care, including both preventative and acute care;

To receive review training and assistance in meeting the demands of daily living in the community; and

To adopt non-stigmatizing patterns of living, social activities, personal appearance, and clothing.

THEREFORE:

IT IS INTOLERABLE FOR EX-RESIDENTS OF STATE INSTITUTIONS TO BE SUBJECTED TO:

Unsafe and deteriorating slum neighborhoods;

Exploitation by unscrupulous landlords;

Substandard, dilapidated, unsafe and unhygienic housing conditions with vermin infestation, inoperable plumbing, heat, utilities, and appliances, and inadequate furnishings;

Inadequate food and nutrition;

Preventable diseases, malnutrition, and other medical conditions;

Exclusion from community training programs;

Social isolation and segregation;

A poverty-level standard of living; and

Inadequate encouragement, support, and assistance to adopt non-stigmatizing patterns of living, social activities, personal appearance, and clothing.

AND THEREFORE:

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVING EX-RESIDENTS OF STATE INSTITUTIONS:

Require and encourage staff members to insure that the basic human rights of ex-residents are upheld;

Promote and reward staff members who demonstrate a personal commitment to the welfare of these individuals;

Redefine staff responsibilities to transcend narrow definitions of professional and paraprofessional roles in limiting terms of employment;

Provide individuals with ongoing and continuous encouragement and support to adopt non-stigmatizing patterns of living;

Provide access to structured opportunities for community participation and integration;

Provide direct and indirect assistance in locating adequate housing in safe residential neighborhoods;

Take all necessary steps to prevent exploitation by landlords;

Insure that persons have adequate financial resources to afford clean, comfortable, and safe housing, adequate food and nutrition, appropriate clothing, furnishings, and possessions, and essential health care;

Take immediate steps to address crises confronting persons in the community by directly arranging for emergency housing, adequate heat, plumbing, and utilities, nutritious food, and emergency medical care;

Provide regular training and assistance in meeting the demands of daily living;

Respect the rights of individuals to choose their own life styles; and

Insure that persons have access to legal and advocacy services necessary to counter discrimination and exploitation in the community.

1988