Recent reports in the media have drawn attention to the issue of abuse, assault and neglect of people with a disability.
Protection of all people with disabilities from mistreatment is a core concept of public policy in the United States. Any abuse of a person with a disability is wholly unacceptable.
The current allegations should not be dismissed as an isolated incident involving a few bad actors. They should also not be over-generalized. The vast majority of Vermonters who participate in home-sharing programs provide high-quality care. Rather, these recent incidents need to be seen for the systems issues that they reveal.
Vermonters with developmental disabilities need a system of care with enough resources to regularly inspect settings where people are receiving services live. Developmental Disabilities Services has seen a reduction in quality oversight activities, a trend that must be reversed.
Our recommendations include:
- Training: All people with intellectual or developmental disabilities — and involved family members — should receive training, in plain language, about their right to be free of mistreatment and how to report suspected abuse.
- Inspections and oversight: Consistent with other long-term living facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities, annual inspections of provider-controlled residences, including shared living arrangements, must be the norm. Some of these inspections should be unannounced.
- Livable wages: The state must raise the wages and stipends for the entire direct support workforce. These increases should be accompanied by higher expectations for training and oversight.
The tragic events in Franklin County need to be a catalyst for action.
Rev. Mike Gruteke, Chair, Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council
Signed on behalf of self-advocate and family members of the VDDC
To report the abuse, neglect, exploitation or mistreatment of a person with a disability in Vermont contact:
Adult Protective Services 1-800-564-1612
Disability Rights Vermont 1-800-834-7890
Disability Law Project 1-800-889-2047
