On April 8, 2014, the United States Department of Justice reached a settlement agreement with Rhode Island to address the rights of people with disabilities to receive state funded employment and daytime services in the broader community, rather than in segregated sheltered workshops and facility-based day programs. The agreement significantly advances the Department of Justice’s work to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C, which requires persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities be served in the most integrated setting appropriate.
As a result of this settlement agreement, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Rhode Island will receive supported employment placements that are individual, typical jobs in the community, that pay at least minimum wage, and that offer employment for the maximum number of hours consistent with the person’s abilities and preferences, amounting to an average of at least 20 hours per week across the target population. Rhode Island citizens will also receive supports for integrated non-work activities for times when people are not at work including mainstream educational, leisure or volunteer activities that use the same community centers, libraries, recreational, sports and educational facilities that are available to everyone. For students transitioning from school to adult life, transition services will begin at age 14 and will include internships, job site visits and mentoring, enabling students to leave school prepared for jobs in the community at competitive wages.
For full details of the Settlement Agreement and the Department of Justice Press Release please go to: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/April/14-crt-350.html