BY SALVATORE PIZZURO

COMMENTARY

The recent dialogue about the Governor’s plan to close New Jersey’s Developmental Centers has elicited an unanticipated number of responses from family members of people with developmental disabilities who currently reside in such residential centers, or have in the past.

The debate among members of the disability community concerns whether all residents should be transferred to the community. While everyone agrees that community placement is preferable, and all agree they those residents who request the transfer should be given the opportunity to do so, the debate stems from whether every resident’s needs can be met in a community setting.

In addition, a question remains regarding whether a sufficient number of appropriate community placements are available. Furthermore, the issue of whether we have adequately trained and qualified staff available for direct care remains emotional and controversial.

Karyn Walsh, a Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Writer and Researcher, and the parent of a daughter with a developmental disability, has recently contacted this writer about the debate. According to Ms. Walsh: