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Developmental Disabilities
Vision
Travis County will be a community where people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities and their families have a comprehensive and flexible array of choices that support their ability to live and participate in the community with all rights and opportunities afforded to all people.
Summary
Mental retardation and developmental disabilities impact persons in all racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic groups. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities are life-long conditions which require individualized services, and modified environments and supports (e.g. crisis intervention, respite, and adequate housing) to ensure a quality life. A diagnosis of mental retardation is based upon the assessment of deficits in general intellectual function, adaptive behavior limitations and developmental delays which appear during the first 18 years of development. Developmental disabilities include physical, mental, visual and hearing impairments.
Persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities desire opportunities to be full contributing members of society--to live, to love, to work and to play. They share the dignity and worth innate in every human being and each possesses unique abilities, preferences, needs and goals. People with disabilities prefer when given the option, to live and receive services and supports in their own homes, schools, workplaces and local communities. It is important to increase the abundance of opportunities and alternatives available to all members of our community, particularly for those individuals who have historically been denied full participation .
Preliminary work for this section of the plan included an identification of critical conditions based upon a sampling of input from a variety of community stakeholders. The needs identified were: community education and awareness, employment opportunities and options, transportation, housing, opportunities for participation in community social and recreational activities, crisis intervention resources, meaningful activities when work is not an option, respite options, child care, supports and resources for individuals and their families, and health care.
It is important that an emphasis be placed on community awareness and education. Acceptance of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities has driven the planning process for this section of the Community Plan. It is important to identify the strengths of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and value their contribution in planning for their options, supports and services. Collaborative efforts in service planning and identifying "best practices" are essential in view of potentially dwindling resources.
One guiding principle of service delivery has been to ensure a permanent and flexible future's plan (permanency planning) for children with disabilities by providing the necessary supports to their families. Other guiding principles include the following. Advocacy and service coordination are necessary elements to address the needs of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities across their life span within our community. Early identification and intervention, crisis services, respite and inclusive day care are necessary supports for families in our community to enable them to care for their children with disabilities. As children grow into adulthood, they need opportunities to be included in meaningful activities, develop friendships and relationships and engage in work that is adapted to their needs. As adults, it is important for persons with MR/DD to have meaningful and valued social relationships. Accessible transportation must be available; and opportunities for a variety of residential options, including home ownership, must be expanded. Throughout their life, receiving adequate health care by professionals who understand their unique needs is essential. To participate fully in our communities, it is necessary for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities to have access to environments that are modified and adaptive to unique abilities as well as technological support for communication and other purposes. Finally, services and supports to persons with MR/DD should be coordinated among all service providers with whom they interact.
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Critical Conditions
- Persons with mental retardation comprise an estimated 2.5% to 3% of the population. (The Arc, 1982; Fryers, 1993). Factors such as poverty, poor nutrition and lack of adequate health care increase the prevalence rate. Based on a statewide average prevalence rate of 2.73% and a estimated population of 683,559 residents, an estimated 18,661 persons with mental retardation will reside in Travis County in 1997. The majority, about 15,927 persons have a diagnosis of mild mental retardation. A total of about 2,734 persons have a diagnosis of severe/profound or moderate mental retardation. (ATCMHMR, 1997)
- One out of ten families nationwide is directly affected by mental retardation. (The Arc, 1997)
- Children (0-17 years) account for approximately 18% of the population with mental retardation or about 33,115 Travis County residents in 1997. (ATCMHMR, 1995)
- The vast majority (87%) of persons who fall within the category of mild mental retardation can, with appropriate support, achieve economic and social independence when they enter adulthood. The remaining 13% of people with mental retardation, those with IQs under 50, will have serious limitations in functioning. They too can lead satisfying lives in the community with early intervention, a functional education and appropriate supports as adults. (The Arc, 1997)
- A disproportionate number of persons with mental retardation have psychiatric disturbances. (Sovner & Hurley, 1989; Seay, 1991)
- When socio-economic status is figured in, a disproportionate number of low income children have a label of mild mental retardation. (ATCMHMR, 1995)
- In 1990, Texas ranked 45th in the provision of integrated employment services by state mental retardation and developmental disabilities agencies with only 7.35% receiving integrated employment services. (The Arc, 1995)
- The first generation of individuals with mental retardation who have received community and home-based support is just coming of age. The full impact of early intervention, specialized education and other services will become measurable as this generation moves through a life span.
- Sixty-nine percent (69%) of working age people with disabilities remain unemployed; while only 19.7% of people without disabilities are unemployed. (U. S. Department of Education)
- Only 17% of men with disabilities who are working hold full-time, year-round jobs, compared to 63% of their counterparts without disabilities. Furthermore, these men earn 63% of what workers without disabilities earn. (Oi, 1991). When looking at labor force participation for women and members of minority ethnic groups with disabilities, the picture looks worse. For example, the rate of employment for African Americans with disabilities is less than 25%. (Kraus & Stoddard, 1989)
- There are about 2,789 persons with mental retardation in Travis County who are members of the priority population and therefore eligible to receive services funded by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation ("TXMHMR"). TXMHMR funds services for all persons with severe/profound mental retardation, one out of ten persons with mild mental retardation, and one in four persons with moderate mental retardation. (TXMHMR, 1996)
- TXMHMR estimates that approximately 33% of persons with mental retardation who fit the priority population definition go unserved statewide. Thirteen percent receive services through nursing homes or other private providers. Approximately 54% receive services through the TXMHMR system. (TXMHMR, 1996) In FY 1996, the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center served a total of 1,395 persons who fit within the priority population. Currently, there are approximately 400 unserved persons in Travis County on the referral list for Home and Community Based Waiver Services. (ATCMHMR, 1996)
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Desired Community Impacts
A. Increase employment and volunteer options for persons with MR/DD.
B. Expand transportation options that are available, accessible and affordable for persons with MR/DD.
C. Increase housing options that are available, accessible and affordable for persons with MR/DD who desire housing.
D. Increase opportunities for participation and expansion of available options in community social and recreational activities for persons with MR/DD.
E. Increase crisis intervention resources and improved response time for persons with MR/DD.
F. Increase inclusive opportunities for appropriate, meaningful day activities when employment is not an option.
G. Increase respite options and improvement of existing options to address accessibility and affordability issues for persons with MR/DD.
H. Increase child care options that are high quality and inclusive for persons with MR/DD and their families.
I. Increase supports and resources available for clients and for families caring for persons with MR/DD who have significant behavioral problems.
J. Increase health care options for persons with MR/DD.
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Strategies
A. Community Education and Awareness
Educate and make the community aware of the needs of persons with MR/DD (to promote acceptance) by:
- Conducting a general public awareness campaign addressing issues of employment, transportation, technology, accessibility and adaptations required;
- Informing consumers and families about available services and how to access them;
- Training policy makers on the needs of persons with MR/DD;
- Developing and distributing brochures and resource guides to employers, business and community groups; and
- Increasing collaboration among providers to promote the need for quality.
B. Data Collection and Assessment
Determine the need for service improvement by:
- Creating a comprehensive directory of current service providers;
- Developing an assessment survey and distributing process to identify service gaps and advocacy groups;
- Collecting and analyzing current, available information related to critical conditions and desired community impact areas;
- Providing public forums to elicit comments relative to current services; and
- Synthesizing results from data collection, assessment survey(s) and public forums.
C. Best Practices
Identify and promote innovation and best practices through:
- Collaboration and information sharing among various professional groups and providers;
- Reviewing service delivery in other communities;
- Conducting research relative to the various critical conditions;
- Developing curriculum or guidelines to communicate best practices; and
- Establishing a clearinghouse and opportunities for exchange of information for all stakeholders.
D. Service Coordination
Provide opportunities for persons with MR/DD and their families to choose from a variety of service options which match their personal plans and goals. These services will:
- Be well coordinated, accessible and marketed and
- Increase the overall well-being of the individual or/and their family.
E. Preventative Services
Increase overall physical wellness of persons with MR/DD by providing accessible preventative services, such as:
- Non-emergency respite;
- Specialized homemaker services;
- Enhanced case finding; and
- Improved early identification and intervention.
F. Collaboration
Facilitate collaboration among persons with MR/DD, their family members, current and potential providers to maximize resource use and comprehensive planning. This will be accomplished by:
- Holding ongoing forums to discuss issues related to critical conditions and desired community impacts;
- Strengthening private-public partnerships for improved and more efficient service delivery; and
- Distributing information through newsletters.
G. Modification, Adaptations and Technology Support
Establish opportunities for persons with MR/DD to fully participate in community activities by providing appropriate modifications, adaptations, and technological support and accessibility to areas of:
- Public transportation;
- Job training and search;
- Education;
- Employment;
- Recreational activities, and
- Medical and social services.
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Outcomes
A. Standard Outcomes
- Increased satisfaction with services of people with MR/DD and their families.
- Increased number of children with MR/DD showing improved development.
B. Employment Opportunities
- Increased number of people with MR/DD employed in the community.
- Increased number of employers participating in job placement.
- Increased number of hours of employment for people with MR/DD.
- Increased number of people with MR/DD with internships leading to paid employment.
- Increased number of employers satisfied with the performance of employees with MR/DD.
C. Transportation
- Increased number of people with MR/DD getting timely transportation.
- Increased number of people with MR/DD who begin using fixed bus routes or alternate transportation.
D. Housing
- Increased number of people with MR/DD provided housing-related services.
- Increased number of people with MR/DD obtaining housing.
E. Community Social/Recreational Activities
- Increased number of people with MR/DD participating in community social and recreational activities.
F. Crisis Intervention
- Improved response time for crisis intervention services for persons with MR/DD.
G. Meaningful Day Activities Other Than Work
- Increased number of people with MR/DD participating in appropriate, meaningful day activities.
H. Respite Options
- Increased number of people with MR/DD and/or families receiving respite care services.
I. Child Care Options
- Increased number of child care services available for families with children with MR/DD that are inclusive, e.g. where children interact, share experiences, and receive services with their non-disabled peers.
J. Family Support Dealing with Persons with Extreme Behaviors
- Increased number of families with improved knowledge and skills (for use in caring for persons with MR/DD, especially for persons with extreme behaviors).
- Increased number of people with MR/DD and/or families accessing adequate support systems.
K. Medical Care Options
- Increased number of persons with MR/DD with comprehensive physical and mental health insurance.
- Increased wellness of persons with MR/DD (as reported by people with MR/DD, family, and/or physician).
Prevalence of Mental Retardation in Travis County
- An estimated 18,661 persons with mental retardation will reside in Travis County in 1997. This figure is based on a statewide average prevalence rate of 2.73% and a total population of 683,559 residents in Travis County for 1997. The majority, about 15,927 persons have a diagnosis of mild mental retardation. A total of about 2,734 persons have a diagnosis of severe/profound or moderate mental retardation.
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