Statewide Independent LivingCouncil of Illinois
Statewide Independent LivingWhereas, the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois (SILC) is a planning body mandated by the federal Rehabilitation Act as Amended, and is co-signer of the State Plan for Independent Living with the Department of Human Services; and
Whereas, a primary function of the SILC is the development and expansion of Centers for Independent Living and independent living services; and
Whereas, the SILC considers the needs of persons with disabilities in Illinois from both an individual and systemic perspective;
Therefore, we do hereby adopt the following statement of policy initiatives for the 2005 legislative session:
Centers for Independent Living are non-residential, community-based advocacy organizations run by individuals with disabilities. The SILC supports the concept of formula funding as proposed by the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living that has both a geographic and population component for present and future Centers for Independent Living.
The SILC supports expansion of services for under-served minority and disability populations, and in the state’s unserved and underserved counties through the development of new satellite offices of existing Centers for Independent Living (or through new grassroots initiatives).
Additionally, the SILC believes that all 24 existing Centers should receive an annual COLA that is at least consistent with any increases in the Consumer Price Index.
The SILC was pleased with legislation allowing Personal Assistants collective bargaining rights, the subsequent pay raises to $7.50 per hour and incremental increases to $9.35 per hour in 2007. Personal Assistants (PAs) provide support in activities of daily living for Illinoisans with significant disabilities enrolled in the DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services’ Home Services Program and saves Illinois millions of dollars in much more costly institutional care. The SILC further supports provision of non-monetary benefits, such as health insurance and worker’s compensation to PAs.
We believe that the DHS/DRS current model of "consumer control," where PAs are hired and supervised independently by the individual as their employee, and is the most effective model with the state’s role only that of fiscal agent. Additionally, we feel strongly that as the hourly rate for PAs increases that there is no attempt to reduce the hours of PA services individuals currently receive in the Program, and that current "determination of need" eligibility is not raised to decrease access to this Program.
The SILC opposes the re-opening of any type of congregate facility on the campus of the former Lincoln Developmental Center. This includes the proposed option of four ten-bed units.
In addition, we support the closure or significant downsizing of the other state operated developmental and mental health centers throughout the state. We believe it is preferable and more cost effective to serve individuals with disabilities in a community setting.
The SILC supports the right to cast secret, independently verifiable ballots at all local, state and federal elections in Illinois. In addition, we believe that all polling places must be physically, environmentally and attitudinally accessible to all voters with disabilities.
The SILC believes that the core services offered by DRS form the foundation for increasing the level of empowerment and independence for people with disabilities within the workplace and the community. We are concerned about the ability of the Division of Rehabilitation Services to fill vacant counselor positions that are federally funded and to ensure that people with disabilities receive individualized vocational services in concert with the necessary supports to ensure "independent living" services in a timely fashion. We believe that DRS would be better equipped to serve people with disabilities if the Director of DRS held a cabinet-level position. Additionally, we encourage DRS to provide alternate formats of any documents requiring the review of– or involving personal information regarding their customers– per customer request.
The SILC supports programs and services which allow Illinoisans with disabilities to live and work in their communities. The U.S. Supreme Court decision on Olmstead v. LC stressed that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the unjustified institutionalized isolation of an individual with a disability is unlawful discrimination. This decision also mandated states to have a "comprehensive, effectively working plan and a waiting list that moves at a reasonable pace."
To this end, we support increased funding for programs such as the DHS/DRS’ Home Services Program, DHS/DRS’ Community Reintegration initiative, Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs), family and home-based supports, supported employment, and other such programs that allow a person with a disability to live and work in the "most integrated setting" appropriate as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, the SILC believes that the state needs to take measures to rectify the disparity between home- and community-based services available for the frail elderly versus individuals with disabilities under age 60. We believe that all individuals– regardless of their age– should have the necessary supports to live in the community and the availability of services should be consistent, regardless on an individuals age.
We believe that the state should take every effort to capture federal Medicaid funding, and that funding currently used to support residential institutions, sheltered workshops and day training programs should be redirected to support community based services that allow persons with disabilities to receive integrated services in non-segregated environments.
The SILC applauds previously passed legislation aimed at "developing a comprehensive state housing plan focusing on building/rehabbing housing for people with low income and disabilities," and encouraging the governor to "identify" funds to promote such activities through 2008.
Additionally, the SILC supports "visitability" legislation which mandates that new single family spec homes include certain modest accessibility features, including: (a) one accessible entrance, (b) 32" doorways, (c) reinforced bathroom walls, and (d) lowered utility receptacles. Such features add less than 1% to the overall cost of the structure.
The SILC also endorses the expansion of initiatives by state government designed to provide home and apartment modification grants for individuals with disabilities and their families who require such modifications to live independently.
The SILC applauds lawmakers and the Department of Public Aid (DPA) for the success of its fledgling Medicaid "buy-in" program which allows persons with disabilities who are working– or want to work– to pay a premium to keep their Medicaid coverage as permitted by the Balanced Budget Act (1997) and Ticket to Work & Work Incentives Improvement Act (1999).
The SILC believes, however, that DPA needs to re-think its current premium structure which has discouraged hundreds of very low income participants from remaining in the program, and that the income eligibility limit be raised from its current level of 200% to 400% of the federal poverty level. The SILC believes that this DPA program should be tracked to show how persons with disabilities are increasing their hours worked and reducing their dependence on other forms of public assistance.
Too often, Illinoisans with disabilities have to decide between work or adequate health care. A recent study noted that seven out of ten working age persons with disabilities who are unemployed would prefer to work, but many cannot risk losing needed health care benefits. In Illinois, currently over 488,000 working age persons with disabilities are unemployed.
The SILC supports the increased awareness of transition services for students with disabilities after they leave the educational setting. It is necessary that the state ensures successful transitioning to the workplace, additional schooling, or to other supportive environments. Increased coordination between state agencies serving students with disabilities must occur and accountable tracking measures must be adhered to. Furthermore, the SILC supports self-determination on the part of students in keeping with the "independent living" philosophy.
The SILC urges state policymakers to develop policy and funding initiatives to help school districts come in to compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Many districts have never developed or complied with the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans and too often school age individuals with disabilities are denied their right to a free and appropriate public education.
The SILC supports the inclusion of funding initiatives by state government to increase accessible and affordable transportation options for individuals with disabilities and their families in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
In addition, we request that a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of transportation issues that directly affect individuals with disabilities and their ability to live independently be conducted. This needs assessment must include persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation and recommendation processes.
The SILC supports comprehensive health insurance that offers the same health insurance coverage for people with mental disabilities as physical disabilities. The Mental Health Parity Act (1996) was a first step, but insurers can still charge higher co-payments, deductibles and lower treatment limits. Additionally, insurers can deny coverage to individuals with substance abuse, multiple personality disorders, anorexia nervosa, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The SILC supports legislation requiring full parity for all categories of mental health conditions.
Adopted February 3, 2005
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