SCOTUS’s 1999 Olmstead decision

00:00:00 Speaker 1 

Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guests today are Michelle Scheib, the director of Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC), and Ericka Glick, the systems advocate with WNYIL. Welcome to the program associates. 

00:00:18 Speaker 2 

Thank you for having us. 

00:00:20 Speaker 1 

It's our pleasure and you all will bring a a broad width of knowledge on the subject because we are talking about the Olmstead celebration, which has a close connection with Americans with Disabilities Act celebration, which is toward the end of July. But I'm willing to bet that there are probably some people listening that don't even know why we're celebrating the Olmstead decision of the Supreme Court in 1999. Could you tell us just what that does for people with disabilities. 

00:00:56 Speaker 3 

Absolutely. So, the Olmsted decision was a Supreme Court decision that said that people with intellectual disabilities have the right to live in the least restrictive environment. That meant that for those who were stuck in institutions would have the right to leave said institutions and go into a lesser restrictive environment. It was a case that was born out of Georgia. There was an institution in Georgia that was holding a couple of women with intellectual disabilities, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson and they wanted out. They had been transitioning in and out of the institution for functionally their entire lives, and they just wanted to be able to live in the communities. So this allowed them a path to be able to do so. It took a lot of years and they ended up living in the community for about 10-15 years toward the end of their lives. But this is a crucial Supreme Court decision that was made for the community. 

00:02:26 Speaker 1 

And that fits right in with WNYIL’s philosophy of helping people to live independently in the community in their own homes and that. 

00:02:37 Speaker 1 

Independent living of Niagara County is having a special way of celebrating the Olmsted decision, can someone tell us what all you have going and when? 

00:02:50 Speaker 2 

Yes, I will. This is Michelle. So, we are having it on July 19th at the Aquarium of Niagara, which is on Whirlpool St. We thought of that place because we actually help them with Great Lakes 360, which is actually opening up on July 13th, so people will be able to see that at the same time as coming to visit us. Our event is between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. We are going to have different fun stuff to do. Food we haven't decided yet exactly what food we're going to have some music. 

00:03:21 Speaker 2 

And we're going to be able to share all of our locations programs that we do and offer to help the community know what we can do for them. Also do Narcan training too for individuals. 

00:03:34 Speaker 1 

That's wonderful. Is there any cost to attend? 

00:03:37 Speaker 2 

It's free, free, free, free. 

00:03:41 Speaker 1 

That's terrific. And is there any need to register in advance or can people just turn up? 

00:03:49 Speaker 2 

People can turn up if, unless there is, you know, a need that we need to make sure that we have any interpreters. That's the only time that someone needs to respond to us. So, make sure that we have an interpreter there for them. Otherwise, it's just come in, you know, come as you can. 

00:04:05 Speaker 1 

And when you say interpreters, I presume you mean sign language interpreters for the deaf primarily. 

00:04:11 Speaker 2 

Yes. 

00:04:12 Speaker 1 

Well, because we do want this to be totally accessible, I'm sure that people will have some questions. How can they reach you? 

00:04:21 Speaker 2 

So they can give us a call right up at Independent living of Niagara County. They can call 716-284-4131 and they can ask for Cindy and Cindy would be able to help them out with any information. 

00:04:37 Speaker 1 

Alright, thank you so much for being with us. 

00:04:40 Speaker 2 

You're welcome. 

00:04:41 Speaker 1 

You've been listening to independent perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guests today were Michelle Scheib, director of ILNC, and Ericka Glick, a systems advocate with WNYIL. I've been your host, Ernie Churchwell.