Olmstead Commission sponsors public meetings on services for people with disabilities

March 1, 2002, 2002

Bismarck, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven's Olmstead Commission is sponsoring public meetings across the state to gather input on services for people with disabilities in North Dakota. Consumers of services, providers and the public are invited to attend.

Meeting Schedule

March 6
12-1 p.m. Watford City City Hall Board Room, 213 Second St. N.E.
5-6 p.m. New Town Fort Berthold Community College, Room 11

March 7
12-1 p.m. Minot County Courthouse, 315 Third St. S.E.
5-6 p.m. Bottineau Bottineau Armory, 115 W. Sixth St.

March 8
12-1 p.m. Belcourt Sky Dancer Hotel/Casino, Highway 5 West

March 11
5-6 p.m. Fort Yates Prairie Knights Casino

March 12
12-1 p.m. Dickinson Dickinson City Hall, 99 Second St. E.
5-6 p.m. Mott County Courthouse, 336 Pacific Ave.

March 13
12-1 p.m. Bismarck State Capitol, Brynhild Haugland Room
5-6 p.m. Garrison City Auditorium, Main Street

March 14
12-1 p.m. Jamestown State Hospital, Learning Resource Center Building, Room 124

March 19
12-1 p.m. Grafton Developmental Center, Food Service Bldg., 701 W. Sixth St.
5-6 p.m. Grand Forks 400 Valley Square, 4000 24th Ave. S.

March 22
12-1 p.m. Wahpeton Law Enforcement Center, 413 Third Ave.

March 26
12-1 p.m. Langdon Courthouse, 901 Third St.
5-6 p.m. Devils Lake Armory, 524 Fourth Ave.

March 27
12-1 p.m. Fort Totten Spirit Lake Casino
5-6 p.m. Carrington Chieftain Inn, 60 Fourth Ave. S.

March 28
12-1 p.m. Williston Community Library, 1302 Davidson Dr.

The governor's Olmstead Commission, which is co-chaired by the governor's policy advisor Duane Houdek and the executive director of the Department of Human Services Carol K. Olson, is sponsoring the meetings. The commission has been charged with assessing the array of services available to persons with disabilities in North Dakota and with making recommendations to the governor and legislature, if appropriate, to address any gaps in service that have led to or would lead to institutionalization.

In the 1999 case of Olmstead v. L.C., the United States Supreme Court ruled that unjustified isolation can be considered as discrimination based on disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). States are required under Title II of the ADA to place institutionalized persons with disabilities in community settings when certain circumstances are met. These circumstances include situations when the state's treating professionals have determined that a community placement is appropriate; the transfer from an institution to a less restrictive setting is not opposed by the affected individual; and the placement can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the state and the needs of other persons with disabilities.

In response to the ruling, North Dakota and other states are formulating state plans to ensure compliance.

Individuals needing special accommodations to attend and participate should contact commission facilitator Arlette Preston at (701) 232-4964 or apreston@cableone.net.

 

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