Equip for Equality drafts brief highlighting the benefits of community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
April 9, 2015 – A coalition of disability groups have filed a friend of the court brief supporting the State of Illinois’ efforts to close Murray Developmental Center in Centralia. The amicus brief was filed with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in the case entitled Illinois League of Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled v. Illinois Department of Human Services (Case No. 14-2850). In July 2014, the Honorable Marvin Aspen denied a Motion for Preliminary Injunction to keep Murray open. The plaintiffs appealed that decision to the Seventh Circuit.
Equip for Equality drafted the amicus brief and was joined by Access Living, the Americans Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, the Arc of Illinois, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, the Statewide Independent Living Council, and United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois.
The brief was filed to bring a perspective to the case that was lacking – the perspective of many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have long awaited and still await full integration into the community. The brief also highlights the many experts whose research dispels the assumptions and stereotypes regarding the ability of people significant disabilities to succeed in the community. Finally, the brief demonstrates that contrary to the picture of institutional perfection painted by the plaintiffs, Murray has experienced failures that have threatened the lives and safety of the individuals residing there.
For more information about the issues raised in the brief, please contact Barry Taylor, VP for Civil Rights and Systemic Litigation at Equip for Equality – 312-895-7317 or barryt@equipforequality.org.
Below are links to the amicus brief, as well as other relevant court documents:
