From the New York Times:

New York City residents with disabilities say inaccessible housing presents overwhelming daily challenges to people with mobility impairments, even in buildings that comply with the city’s accessibility law. They say the city law doesn’t comply with the federal Fair Housing Act.

The status of these residents was spotlighted last week with the news that the United States attorney’s office is threatening to prosecute prominent New York City landlords and architects if they don’t bring buildings into compliance with federal standards. The cost of the renovations could run into the tens of millions of dollars.

“A legislative judgment has been made at the federal and local level that full access for people with disabilities is a fundamental civil right,” said Craig Gurian, the executive director of the Anti-Discrimination Center, a nonprofit organization that challenges housing discrimination. “But for far too long, enforcement has lagged. For anyone who can even imagine being a prisoner in one’s own apartment, that is just an intolerable situation.”

Advocates say some people with disabilities end up in nursing homes or shelters unnecessarily because they can’t find accessible housing.

(New York Times photo)

From the Jackson [Tennessee] Sun:

Commissioners in Madison County, Tennessee, have withheld support for a plan to build eight new group homes for people with developmental disabilities in residential neighborhoods. In public comments this week, some commissioners said that developers of the residences have not given adequate public notice of their intentions.

Commissioner Billy Spain speculated about whether the group homes would drive down property values in the neighborhoods, and said some constituents are upset about the prospect of having the homes near them. “Secrecy causes fear, whether it should or not,” he said.

Terry Swatley, president of Developmental Disability Management Services, said the developers had fully disclosed their plans, and characterized the opposition as a “not in my backyard” mentality.

… he said the homes usually become well regarded in their neighborhoods and those people housed in the facilities should not pose any danger physically or financially to other homes.

“Our guys are not going to be running around your streets attacking your children,” Swatley said.

From the Houston Chronicle:

Advocates for people with intellectual disabilities urged Texas to reduce its massive waiting lists for community living services. About 82,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities are marooned on the lists, waiting for support to live in family homes, small group homes or their own homes.

At a public hearing on Wednesday, the state also heard from family members who wanted the state to continue focusing its financial resources on state-run institutions, known as state schools. Texas Health and Human Services officials said the waiting lists are expected to stay the same through 2011.

Melissa Olive said she would like to move her 29-year-old brother out of the Austin State School into a home-based setting, but he has been on a waiting list since the two moved to Texas in November 2000.

“How on earth can you continue (current levels) when you know you have these waiting lists?” Olive asked.

Close to 4,600 Texans live in state institutions and 6,000 live in similar private facilities.

A state audit indicated that the daily cost of serving a client in a state institution is $335, compared with a cost of $165 per day for a community facility.

From NBC Augusta News in Augusta, Georgia:

A county commissioner in Georgia has apologized for remarks he made n a public meeting this week challenging the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to live in the community.

Corey Johnson said he wanted to extend a “heartfelt apology” over the remarks, which were criticized as being biased against people with intellectual disabilities.

“I certainly did not intend to offend or discriminate against any segment of this community,” Johnson said in a letter released to the press. “I have genuine concerns for all of the residents … I only realized later how offensive some of my remarks may have appeared, and I hope this situation can be mended to everyone’s satisfaction.”

From the Dallas Morning News:

A new state audit shows that Texas ranks first among the states in housing people with intellectual disabilities in big state-run institutions, and lags far behind in moving people out of institutions and into community care.

Come next year, legislators need to invest in more personal ways of caring for suffering Texans. Starting now, the disability services department must step up its game.

… Without these changes, Texas will not protect some of its most fragile citizens.

From the [Oklahoma City] Oklahoman:

As baby boomers age, homebuyers are increasingly looking for universal design elements that will help people with disabilities live independently. Features such as wheelchair accessibility, open floor plans, walk-in showers and ground floor bedrooms are gaining in popularity.

“As people age, they get scared about giving up their independence. We are trying to provide independence, but in a much safer environment, security wise and medical wise,” said builder Jim McWhirter, president of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.