Community Services

The United States Supreme Court has declared that every American with a disability has the right to live in the most integrated setting. This requires that sufficient funds must be made available for services and supports to enable community participation. Although individuals who have significant support needs generally prefer to receive services in their own homes and in the community, the lack of adequate funding for such services has forced many people into nursing facilities and other institutions. Along with other disability advocacy organizations, ASAN calls for prompt government action to fund long-term services and supports to allow people who are at risk of institutional placement to remain in their homes, as well as to enable individuals who are already in such placements to return to the community.

These services and supports, such as personal attendant services and assistive technology, can enable people with disabilities to live and work productively in their communities. Further efforts must be made to ensure that Autistic adults are able to gain access to long-term community services and supports. There is a large population of adults and adolescents on the spectrum whose needs are not being met, either because the services and supports that they need are unavailable or because inadequate funding has resulted in extremely long wait lists. In addition to lack of sufficient funding for services and supports in general, the Autistic population often faces structural barriers to access that arise when disability programs are designed without adequate understanding of our needs.

Policymakers should be aware of the particular characteristics and needs of adults on the spectrum when planning community living options. Autistic adults may be unable to access some kinds of supports if they are not made available in ways that meet our needs. Many of us have difficulties with certain kinds of sensory environments, and these difficulties need to be taken into account when planning and implementing the provision of community services and supports. Significant representation of self-advocates in the policymaking process is essential to ensure both the legitimacy of the process and the development of effective public policy strategies for community living.