Due to the Disability Rights Washington (DRW) recent letter to Guardians of residents at Rainier School, we at Lakeland Village Associates feel it is necessary to reiterate the reasons why many guardians want their loved one in an RHC. Below is a quote from an RHC advocate to Attorney’s in the case of Disability Rights Washington v Meneses, et al.
Residents in RHCs “experience great freedom of movement and independence in a secure, supportive environment tailored to meet their needs. Daily skills training is required and available through plentiful integrated vocational and recreational activities. Residents receive equal, comprehensive care regardless of their ability to pay, which is valuable to them.”
“In addition, at ICF/IID facilities there is extensive oversight of staff and staffing levels that are higher, to meet current and emergent needs better. They have extensive medical, dental, therapy, behavioral, and nutritional services, conveniently available on campus. Emergency care on campus is rapid and if care is needed off-campus direct communication conveys holistic understanding of client needs, allowing off-campus providers to deliver targeted treatment rather than misattributing symptoms to developmental conditions.”
“In contrast, …clients in community settings are often isolated in homes with limited access or activities off-house. Expenses often exceed income; necessitating backfill funds that create income instability. There is limited oversight of staff and staffing is based only on current needs. Accessing medical care and other services involves navigating complex barriers of insurance, availability, transportations, etc. …” “Providers commonly lack a specialized understanding of developmental disability needs and too often dismiss real medical conditions as part of the individual’s intellectual disability.