Hosted by Candace Cunningham, Candace’s Corner podcast series invites leaders across our state to talk about key issues affecting the disability community.
This season, Candace explores the history of the developmental disabilities system in Missouri.
Episode Details
Mary Sullivan-Thomas is the executive director of Community Opportunities. Mary has worked in the developmental disability field for more than 39 years. She has spent her career helping people with disabilities be seen, heard, and supported with respect.
Discussion Topics
- The options for people with disabilities in Missouri in the 1980s
- What Individualized Supported Living (ISL) is and how it started
- The way life improve for people when they moved into the community
- Mary’s hope for the future of services in Missouri and advice to make the system better
Glossary and Resources
Terms Used in this Episode
- Community-based supports — services provided in local communities to help people with disabilities live independently and participate fully.
- Individualized Supported Living (ISL) — a service that allows people to receive support services in their own homes or a newly established residence, such as an apartment. ISL is limited to households of four persons served.
- Regional Offices — state run offices that have historically provide services and sometimes housing for people with disabilities.
- Universal Design — making places, programs and information easy for everyone to use.
Resources and Links
- Mary Sullivan-Thomas’ retirement announcement – Learn about her amazing 40-year journey and what is next for Community Opportunities
- Missouri ISL Manual – Explains how Individual Supported Living works and shows how to make a plan
Organizations
- Community Opportunities is an organization in Lincoln County, Missouri. They help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live healthy, independent, and productive lives in the way they choose by:
- Providing residential services
- Offering community and employment services
- Giving case management support
- Running programs for community inclusion and integration
- Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) helps local boards and providers give good services, and offers training and resources for better support.
- People First of Missouri is a self-advocacy organization that was formed by, is run by, and exists for people with developmental disabilities in the state of Missouri. As a non-profit organization, membership consists of local affiliated chapters and promotes equality for people with disabilities so they can live the life they want in their community.
- Starling Missouri is a group of organizations that help people with disabilities live in the community by sharing ideas and working to improve services.
The WeSaid at the UCEDD is a Training and Technical Assistance Center that gives people with developmental disabilities opportunities to speak up, lead and teach others.
