The article “A Policy Analysis of State Plans for Independent Living in the U.S.” identifies four main policy priorities within the State Plans for Independent Living (SPILs) from 50 states and the District of Columbia. These priorities are categorized as Implied Policy, Improved Capacity and Expansion, Provide, Inform, and Change, and Who Do You Serve.

Implied Policy

SPIL goals often implied policy outcomes rather than explicitly stating them. When stated, goals aligned with consumer choice and person-centered philosophies, such as advocating for disability rights and promoting independent living through systems advocacy and services. The language used was consistent with the Independent Living movement, assuming that readers had specialized knowledge to understand these implications.

Improved Capacity and Expansion

Many SPILs focused on enhancing public services, including SILCs (Statewide Independent Living Councils), their services, staff, programs, operations, and administration. Goals included becoming financially sound, expanding services, finding qualified staff, and promoting system change. Despite decades of work, the network of disability services remains underdeveloped, reflecting a need for further growth and development.

Provide, Inform, and Change

Goals in this category aimed at improving service provision and access, increasing awareness of services, and empowering the disability community through outreach, training, and education. However, there was a lack of targeted evidence-based interventions mentioned.

Who Do You Serve?

Most SPILs did not specify the groups they served, often referring generally to people with disabilities. Some goals mentioned specific groups like youth with disabilities, external consumers, community members, and underserved groups. The broad designation of “people with disabilities” aims to create a larger coalition of stakeholders, avoiding division by racial, ethnic, or gender subgroups.

Person-Centered Planning and Supported Decision Making

The analysis found that 25 states had goals promoting person-centered planning, though these often addressed only one aspect of a comprehensive approach. Similarly, 25 states included supported decision-making goals, using various plans to empower individuals with disabilities. There was an overlap between person-centered planning and supported decision-making, particularly in goals related to consumer self-advocacy education.

Transportation

The analysis of transportation goals within State Plans for Independent Living (SPILs) revealed that 28 states included specific objectives related to transportation. These goals aimed to improve access to transportation for individuals with disabilities, facilitating their integration into mainstream society. The approaches varied across states, reflecting the broad scope of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) transportation initiative.

Transportation goals were unique in their reliance on collaboration with local stakeholders and community leaders, which was seen as essential for achieving success. This initiative was the most frequently mentioned among the SPILs. Notably, states that did not address transportation needs in their plans also tended to lack goals related to the other two ACL initiatives, highlighting the critical role of transportation in independent living.

Reference

Kayali YL, Johnson AH, Harrison TC. A Policy Analysis of State Plans for Independent Living in the U.S. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice. 2023;24(1):51-66. doi:10.1177/15271544221130980