Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Legislative findings. The General Assembly recognizes that many persons with disabilities and their families receive some level of support and services that are funded or administered by State human services agencies. The support and services are provided to persons with disabilities or their families, if appropriate, through arrangements with local community based vendors, organizations, or agencies. The General Assembly further recognizes that persons with disabilities who receive the services and support, directly or indirectly, are often not consulted for their perspectives, nor are their viewpoints sought regarding the efficiency, strengths, or weaknesses of the services and support. Various agencies in State government also promulgate standards that govern the administration or operation of the services and support. Seldom are persons with disabilities or their families involved in the development of standards that directly affect the quality of the services and support that they receive. In addition, there are legislative commissions that serve in an advisory capacity concerning the services provided to persons with disabilities and their families, whose membership does not include persons with disabilities and their families. Therefore, the General Assembly finds that: (a) Persons with disabilities and their families have a significant contribution to make in the decision making processes that shape the support and services they receive through State government. (b) Persons with disabilities and their families should be provided with meaningful opportunities to contribute their perspectives through their experiences concerning issues relating to services, support, and standards that ultimately affect them. (c) Services and support should be responsive and sensitive to the cultural, racial, age, language, and gender characteristics of persons with disabilities and their families. (d) Meaningful opportunities to contribute their perspectives should provide adequate information, in a manner that facilitates and allows for participation by persons with disabilities and their families. (Source: P.A. 87-977.)