Lawsuit: State Does Too Little for Developmentally Disabled

SEATTLE (AP) — A disability rights group is suing the state of Washington, saying it has no system for ensuring developmentally disabled adults can avoid institutional care in favor of other living arrangements.

Disability Rights Washington says in the federal lawsuit this week that at least 91 developmentally disabled adults were being institutionalized against their will because the state could not find them appropriate community-based services.

The Department of Social and Health Services says its rejects such claims and is committed to empowering clients to live the lives they want. It says that of 44,000 clients, 726 live in the state's four "residential habilitation centers."

Scott Livengood, chairman of the Community Residential Services Association, says the key issue is that lawmakers haven't provided enough money for the 140 supported-living agencies across the state.