New Report on Home and Community-Based Services

Disability Rights South Carolina 

and the SC Institute of Medicine 

& Public Health Release 

New Olmstead Report and Recommendations

Disability Rights South Carolina and the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health hosted a press conference to release a new report: Opportunities for SC to Strengthen Home and Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities.

The report includes the history behind the 1999 Olmstead ruling, how it's affecting South Carolinians today and the opportunities for state and local entities to plan and collaborate to improve the lives of people with disabilities across the state. The speakers at the event included the following: 

• Beth Franco, Executive Director, DRSC 
• Maya Pack, Executive Director, IMPH 
• Anna Maria Conner, Senior Attorney, DRSC 
• Senator Katrina Frye Shealy, District 23 
• Pamela Loudon, Report Interviewee 

View the full report

“This report presents an opportunity to plan, collaborate and execute actions that will improve the lives of people with disabilities across the Palmetto State,” says Beth Franco, executive director. “We want people with disabilities to be able to join the workforce, pursue an education, volunteer and participate in the community free from unnecessary limitations.” 

There are currently 53 Olmstead-related cases in Circuit Courts of Appeal across the country — including North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. To avoid continued violation of the Olmstead ruling and the risk of litigation that has taken place in other states, this report outlines specific recommendations for South Carolina to move forward with an Olmstead plan, including: 

• Assigning an Olmstead compliance coordinator and Olmstead implementation council 
• Developing a South Carolina Olmstead plan 
• Distributing South Carolina Olmstead plan responsibilities 
• Implementing an accountability and evaluation process 

This report is the result of many local agencies working diligently to improve the lives of South Carolinians. The findings are meant to be shared broadly to inform policies and practices to protect and enhance the lives of people with disabilities in the state today and in the future. For more information, read the full report. 

We protect and advance the legal, civil, 

and human rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina