Call for testimonials from the DOJ on coerced/unnecessary guardianship

For Immediate Release CONTACT: PCIL Mike Grier 7177133910
August
8, 2023 SILC Matt Seeley 7173641732

PRESS STATEMENT

If you or someone you know has experienced unnecessary
institutionalization and/or guardianship against your will, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) wants to hear from you!

PCIL and SILC announce the USDOJ is investigating whether adults with disabilities in Pennsylvania are being unnecessarily placed under guardianship
and moved into nursing facilities. Under the ADA and the Olmstead mandate
under Title II, Pennsylvania must provide services to people with disabilities in
the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, which is usually in their
homes and communities.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether adults with disabilities in Pennsylvania are being unnecessarily placed under guardianship and moved into nursing homes. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pennsylvania must provide services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, which is usually in their homes and communities. The Department’s investigation will assess whether Pennsylvania is complying with the ADA. If you have information about possible unnecessary guardianship and nursing home placement, please reach out to the Department of Justice via email at
usapam.civil.rights@usdoj.gov.
Not being afforded the opportunity to age in place is unjust & the USDOJ’s investigation will assess whether Pennsylvania is complying with the ADA.

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Our Associations have become increasingly aware of a significant number of Pennsylvanians with disabilities who have been placed under guardianship,
removed from their homes and placed into institutions against their will unnecessarily by adult protective services.

If you need a reasonable accommodation or would like to request a disability advocate, please reach out to PCIL via email or phone (
mike.grier@thepcil.org or 7177133910.
Let’s help enforce our Civil Right Under the ADA. We Want Solutions Not
Excuses!

ABOUT PA SILC:

The PA SILC is a nonprofit, crossdisability, consumercontrolled organization dedicated to securing public policies that ensure civil rights for people with disabilities. The PA SILC was established in 1992 to comply with the federal Rehabilitation Act Amendments, which requires
states to create a consumercontrolled advisory committee to the Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation’s Independent Living Program. In 1992, the federal Rehabilitation Act
Amendments gave SILC cosigning authority on the federallymandated State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

ABOUT PCIL:

The PCIL is a membership association of CILs located in Pennsylvania. The PCIL’s mission is to support the network of CILs and to advance the Independent Living movement.

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