An article posted
recently
 by CBS News details the accounts of several instances of sub-standard care and neglect for people with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the article, many care providers fail to meet the basic rights outlined in the American’s With Disabilities Act, which offer protection and much needed support for those with intellectual disabilities.

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Leonard Barefield, a 71 year old Texas native with an intellectual disability, lived in a packed group-home for 40 years with “barely livable conditions.” Furthermore, it was reported he earned only $.41 an hour for 40 years. Barefield is now happy to have found a small home as his new residence and a working program that allows him to complete projects during the daytime. However, not every person with intellectual disabilities finds the support they need – another case detailed that a woman with severe physical disabilities, sustained from a car crash, was left in a nursing home bed for up to 165 hours a week. Both of these issues happened in Texas, but the state continues to assure the public that it will maintain the standards outlined by the American’s with Disabilities Act.

The federal Department of Justice joined disability and mental health advocates in Texas to put a lawsuit forward against Texas in 2012, in order to create community programs and service teams for individuals with disabilities. In 2015, the legislation was stalled and legal agreements caused the issue to remain unresolved and confidential.

Specialized care and unique approaches to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is still very much needed. The stories of neglect mentioned prior are illustrations that not all facilities are up to the standards that people with disabilities deserve.