Help Make the Habilitative Services of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Language and Hearing Therapies Sustainable in Day Programs
“We were the 41st agency she (support coordinator) had contacted to find these services for their client.”
Community Participation and Opportunities
Many adults with IDD have complex and multiple body system impairments and limitations. PT/OT/ ST services help to facilitate and encourage participation in society by breaking down barriers to community participation.
Access to Professionals
Adults with IDD are often considered a medically underserved population. Many PT/OT/ST have no or limited experience and knowledge regarding habilitative treatment for people with IDD. As a result, individuals often face barriers when seeking services from outside providers. Despite 75% of our day habilitation sites reporting that individuals/families are interested in this service, only 12.5% can provide them.
Improved Outcomes
Like schools and behavioral supports in the day program setting, overlapping PT/OT/ST in the natural environment of the day program translates into ongoing implementation and training as well as increased collaboration between caregivers to ensure continuity of generalized skills.
Aging in Place
Many people with IDD are living longer. Access to PT/OT/ST may help manage the impact of aging, enabling individuals to remain in their community with family and friends.
Support a 50% Increase
True access requires that reimbursement rates be based on existing standards. Otherwise, the rates are just a bunch of numbers, with a code on a rate list and an inadvertent perpetuation of IDD’s marginalization.
Adults with IDD Need Opportunities to Attain, Keep, and Improve Skills and Functioning for Daily Living
Help us do our job.
Sign the Petition. 1000 Signatures by October 31
