Lanterman Developmental Center proposed closure

DRC and other advocates attend San Gabriel city council meeting to discuss proposed group home

Following a demonstration earlier in January against a proposed group home, the January 17 meeting of the San Gabriel city council heard comments from 26 community members and advocates, including Disability Rights California. The proposed home for 4 adults with developmental disabilities is intended for current residents of the Lanterman Developmental Center who have decided they want to move to more integrated settings.

The DRC representatives drew attention to some "Myths and Realities" about supported housing. For example, although there are no studies showing that realty around supported housing loses value or that the surrounding neighborhood deteriorates in any way, these are commonly held beliefs. In this case, some of the individuals in opposition were considering the group home as a business being wrongly sited in a residential zone.

Speakers representing DRC, Area Board 10 and other disability advocates emphasized that the individuals who would be moving into the group home had the same rights as anyone else to live in any neighborhood they chose.

Read the materials DRC provided to the meeting and a newspaper report from the Pasadena Star News (1/19/12) of the meeting.

 

State plans to close large public institution for people with developmental disabilities

The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has announced plans to close one of its five public institutions for people with developmental disabilities, Lanterman Developmental Center, based in Pomona. Disability Rights California supports this decision and is taking part in the public process to consider the DDS plan to support individualized, gradual transfer of Lanterman's residents. Our goal is to help ensure that each resident has the opportunity to live in his or her choice of smaller, community-based living homes with appropriate supports.