People with disabilities across the country and specifically those in Illinois won a huge victory last week when a tentative settlement was reached in a class action suit. The settlement requires that thousands of people with disabilities living in institutions must be offered the option of living in the community. Residents of institutions across the state of Illinois will have the option of moving to small group homes and living in their communities.

Under the terms of the agreement, the 6,600 residents now living in state-funded residential facilities must be given the option to move into small group homes in their own communities. Another 15,000 people waiting for residential services would also be affected by the agreement.

This news comes from Bob Kafka of ADAPT. Dear Advocates: The legal prong of the "Pitchfork Approach for Social Change" has been active and notching up victories. Individuals in nursing homes, going to Court with assistance from AARP, P&a's and Social Justice lawyers, have won victories in Oregon, Illinois and Florida. (See short summaries below). Advocates efforts to get folks out of nursing homes must continue aggressively. This begins by identifying individuals who want out. This requires advocates to go in and directly speak to the folks in nursing homes to let them know there are opportunities for services in the community.