WE NEED YOUR HELP!
A Call from Executive Director Lynn C. Warner


The Southbury Training School fairness hearing is scheduled to begin October 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the U.S. District Court, 141 Church Street, New Haven, Courtroom 3.  Judge Ellen Bree Burns will preside.

In preparation, Attorney David Shaw has asked us to put out a call for providers who have recently worked with people who have moved out of STS and/or the families of those people who have moved out to discuss [1] what the problems have been to move and the placement process and [2] whether or not the recently announced Settlement Agreement addresses the problems they experienced in the placement process.

During the October 4th hearing, brief testimony is expected to be presented from members of The Arc of Connecticut, People First, and WeCAHR. Additionally, we may retain some experts to defend the Settlement Agreement based on what they saw while touring STS and the fairness of the settlement to the class.

Right now we are beginning to identify people who fall into the above categories who would be willing to testify. I asks that you please call or email me as soon as you can to suggest people you believe can and would help us in this effort. I greatly appreciate your time and attention to this!

Lynn C. Warner, Executive Director
860.246.6400 • lwarner@arcofct.org

National Arc Launches Public Opinion Survey

The Arc of the United States is conducting a survey of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in an effort to understand the services they presently receive, need and want. The Arc FINDS (Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports) research is now live and available to families, individuals and self-advocates, and we urge you to participate. Read full story.

Richard Lapointe Ruling Off to 2011

Richard Lapointe's habeas hearing came to an end before noon on August 3rd and now it's a time for patience. A decision is not anticipated before early 2011.

In the ensuing months, the attorneys will be writing and filing their post-trial briefs. Superior Court Judge John J. Nazzaro praised the attorneys including Centurion Ministries' Paul Casteleiro and James Cousins, who have been representing Richard. Of the case, Nazzaro said, "I know it is a serious matter for all concerned.... The court will give it the appropriate attention it deserves."

The many loyal Friends of Richard Lapointe packed the courthouse in hope of hearing a new trial ordered for the murder of his wife's grandmother in 1987.

We'll continue to keep you apprised.

A Special Request from Bob Perske

Denver Attorney David A. Martinez is filing a petition asking Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. to issue a posthumous pardon to Joe Arridy who was wrongfully executed on January 6, 1939.  This cause will be helped if a number of "independent persons" wrote letters that will support the efforts of Attorney Martinez.  Here is the plan:

SOUTHBURY IS SETTLED!

July 13, 2010, Hartford, CT— The Arc of Connecticut has announced that a negotiated settlement agreement has been reached in Messier v. Southbury Training School, a class action lawsuit that sought decent care and community placement for the approximately 600 residents of the institution in 1998. Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns, U.S. District Court House, 141 Church Street, New Haven, CT, presided over the trial that began in January 1999.

The Arc of Connecticut Executive Director Lynn C. Warner called the action “a momentous occasion for the residents of Southbury Training School. With this agreement in place, the focus is now rightly on opportunities and solutions rather than roadblocks and litigation.” Speaking on behalf of the state association, its board of directors, 23 local chapters, the individuals for whom they advocate and their families, she said, “We are relieved with the long-awaited, favorable outcome.”  Read the full story.

The media pick-up has been overwhelming, with newspaper stories appearing around the state and as far away as Boston and Chicago! For links to the articles, click here.

"The ADA at 20" Honors Peg Dignoti


The ADA Coalition of Connecticut honored Margaret H. [Peg] Dignoti, Executive Director of The Arc of Connecticut from 1981 to 2006, at a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the ADA. Former Governor and U.S. Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.,   chief architect of the ADA, was keynote speaker at the event, "The ADA at 20: Dreams Delivered, Dreams Deferred."

The ADACC previewed a video citing the compelling reasons for the ADA, highlighting the accomplishments, and issuing a call to action from the current status. As one of the groundbreakers, Peg was among those interviewed for the production.

The 2010 Legislative Session Wrap-up

Read summary here.

"Jazz It Up!"

"Celebrate 20 Years of Self Advocates Being Empowered"at SABE's 2010 national conference, coming up September 23-26 in Kansas City. Read conference details here.


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