Priorities FY 2025-2026 - Disability Rights Louisiana

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In order to guide the work of Disability Rights Louisiana, and to best meet the needs of all people with disabilities in our State, DRLA solicits information from the public to create a work plan that is divided into Priorities. Within these 10 Priorities are more specific Goals and Measurable Objectives, which are a large part of how we measure success, and are used to hold the organization accountable to our various funders.

Please review these Goals and Priorities below, and offer your thoughts on whether or not they describe effective ways to advocate for individuals with disabilities in Louisiana. If you believe there are more effective ways that we could advocate for individuals with disabilities in Louisiana within these priorities, please let us know in the space that is provided for public comment.

Priorities FY 2025-2026

Priority 1: Community Integration/Healthcare

Goal 1: Ensure that people with disabilities have access to necessary healthcare and long-term supports and services in the most integrated setting appropriate.

Goal 2: Ensure that people with disabilities are not subjected to abuse, neglect, or exploitation and are provided with all the supports and services they are entitled to (including Medicaid) and that such supports and services are provided when needed, are (1) directed by the person with a disability to the maximum extent possible, (2) meaningful, and (3) well-planned and carried out.

Goal 3: Ensure that the rights for persons with disabilities found in state and federal law, such as LSA-R.S. 28:452.1 (Rights of Persons with Developmental Disabilities) and in 42 U.S.C. § 9501 (Mental Health Bill of Rights) are afforded to all persons with disabilities.

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Priority 2: Physical/Programmatic Access

Goal: Advocate for the elimination of physical and programmatic barriers to critical programs, services, and housing that unlawfully discriminate against persons with disabilities.

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Priority 3: Autonomy

Goal: Advocate for the elimination of barriers for persons with disabilities to the exercise of autonomy.

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Priority 4: Employment

Goal 1: Ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against and denied employment benefits and opportunities on the basis of disability.

Goal 2: Through the provision of information, advice, and representation ensure that people with disabilities, including beneficiaries of Social Security, are able to obtain appropriate rehabilitation services.

Goal 3: Ensure that beneficiaries of Social Security and formerly incarcerated people with disabilities have information regarding necessary work incentives planning and assistance services to obtain, regain, or maintain employment.

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Priority 5: Rights Protection/Institutions

Goal: Ensure that the rights of people with disabilities living in institutions and residential facilities are protected and enforced, that they live in adequate and humane conditions, and that they are able to access services in the community and exercise autonomy to the maximum extent possible.

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Priority 6: Education

Goal 1: Reduce incidences of illegal exclusions from schools and ensure that students with disabilities who are or who have been subject to student disciplinary procedures have available to them a free appropriate public education in the most integrated setting.

Goal 2: Ensure that students with disabilities have available to them transition services that are reasonably calculated to prepare students to move from school to adulthood, including the opportunity to be employed and to be as independent as possible.

Goal 3: Ensure that all public schools and their programs and services are provided in the least restrictive, most integrated setting possible and that they are accessible to all students with disabilities.

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Priority 7: Rights of Older Americans with Disabilities

Goal: Advocate for improved home and community-based services for individuals with adult-onset disabilities.

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Priority 8: Voting

Goal 1: Advocate for the elimination of barriers to voting, and increase knowledge of voting rights.

Goal 2: Educate potential elected officials regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities.

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Priority 9: Disaster Planning and Recovery

Goal: Advocate for public disaster and emergency preparedness and response agencies to implement policies and plans that will provide appropriate and accessible recovery services, transportation, and shelter for people with disabilities during emergencies and disasters.

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Priority 10: Strengthening Protections for Beneficiaries of Social Security

Goal: Ensure social security beneficiaries are protected from abuse and exploitation.

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Are there any other areas that you would like DRLA to focus on?

If you are human, leave this field blank.

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