Disability Group Applauds State for Decision to Close Howe Developmental Center

FOREST PARK, Ill., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Community for All
Coalition, comprised of disability organizations from across Illinois,
congratulates the State of Illinois on its decision to close Howe
Developmental Center. State officials announced plans to close the facility at
a noon news conference today.

Howe is an institution in Tinley Park that has been continuously struggling
with serious concerns over the safety of its approximately 300 residents with
developmental disabilities. Investigations into the death of over 20 residents
at Howe since 2005 revealed many instances of grossly substandard care,
according to the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy system for
Illinois, Equip for Equality.

The Community for All Coalition called for closure of Howe at a May 30 press
conference where they revealed a report detailing the institution's unsafe
conditions. In July, the Coalition confronted state officials, and demanded
that the state develop a transition plan to provide safe alternatives for its
residents. "We want Howe residents to be able to move back to their home
communities with high quality services that will allow them to live more free
and independent lifestyles," said Mark Karner of Progress Center for
Independent Living.

Today, the Coalition's efforts came to fruition. "We congratulate Illinois on
choosing to do the right thing for people with disabilities by closing Howe,"
said Lester Pritchard of the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois. "Now the
state can get to work with families and individuals at Howe to formulate and
implement a transition plan to meet individual needs and desires. The
individuals who currently live at Howe should now be able to enjoy the
freedoms that the rest of society enjoys," he added.

Community for All Coalition members include Progress Center for Independent
Living, Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago, Equip for Equality, Campaign
for Real Choice in Illinois, Institute on Public Policy, Illinois Voices,
People First of Illinois, Chicago ADAPT, and the Institute on Disability and
Human Development at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

CONTACT:
Mark Karner
708-420-0061

SOURCE Community for All Coalition

Mark Karner of Community for All Coalition, +1-708-420-0061