By Anne-Marie Gomes, Valerie J. Novack, Kimberly J. The, Luanjiao Aggie Hu, Ruby Siegel, Jennifer Lee-Rambharose, Teresa Nguyen, and Joe Caldwell
The U.S. Supreme Court 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision declared that unnecessary institutionalization constitutes discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and affirmed the right of persons with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting possible. Despite the promise of Olmstead, and the reallocation of Medicaid funding to HCBS, people with disabilities still encounter barriers to access HCBS.
People of color using Medicaid HCBS experience higher unmet need than their White counterparts, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and health factors. Evidence suggests that culturally responsive and peer-based supports can strengthen pathways to independent living.
Few studies address supports that help people of color with disabilities transition out of institutions and sustain community living. The purpose of this study is to explore the types of supports that help people of color with disabilities transition from institutional to community settings and remain integrated in the community.