For Immediate Release
November 2, 2017
Contact: David Card
202.408.9514 x122
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) member, Disability Rights New York (DRNY), issued a report entitled, “Abuse and Neglect of New York State Residents At Woods Services In Pennsylvania”. This report raised serious concerns with the treatment of New Yorkers who are placed out of state at the Woods Services facility in Pennsylvania. In response, NDRN Executive Director Curt Decker issued the following statement:
“Out of state placements are inherently a bad policy. The further individuals are from their family, friends, and the oversight of their home state, the more likely abuse and neglect will occur.”
“The DRNY report documenting the abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of the individuals living at Woods Services should be a wakeup call to the more than 30 states that have placed individuals at that facility, or any other out of state facility.
“At a minimum, states should take a close look at the treatment of their residents at Woods Services, and make sure the services and supports exist in their state to allow these individuals to move home.
“NDRN, as the membership organization for the nationwide network of Protection and Advocacy agencies, will work with our members to ensure the safety of the individuals with disabilities at the Woods Services facility and coordinate activities to ensure that services and supports will exist in every state so people with disabilities can live close to home, friends, and family in an integrated, community setting.”
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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
