Guide topic 3b: Historical solutions

Historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities.

If a family needed assistance in caring for an individual with disabilities, the care was delivered in either:

• a nursing home,
• or a state school.

Through this, they could receive government funding to care for and/or supervise their family member.

Amazing families before us fought for another solution:

Support/funding to help care for individuals with disabilities “in the community”.

For different individuals, “in the community” has different meaning:

• In own apartment/house,
• In family or friend’s home,
• In a group home near family.

The “structure” or law to manage who can access money WITHOUT going in a nursing home or group home is a Medicaid Waiver!