Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the various policy options and accompanying strategies related to the entitlement of services for adults with developmental disabilities. These options and strategies were derived from an analysis of historical documents as well as interviews with key policy makers, administrators, advocates and family members associated with disability policy. The
three major research questions for this study were: What role does entitlement play in the lives of people with developmental disabilities? What is Vermont's obligation to establish entitlement legislation for adults with developmental disabilities? What options for entitlement based upon a standard of historical social welfare policy are feasible for adults with developmental disabilities? Findings suggested that current federal entitlement guidelines were consistently written for the benefit of the majority of people who have no disability. Entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare, Civil Service and Military retirement, were not realistically accessible for people with developmental disabilities.
Although much progress has been made over the past 50 years with regard to the civil rights and the education of people with developmental disabilities, public policy has failed to address the broader life issues confronting adults with developmental disabilities across their lifespan.
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