STATEMENT OF PRIORITIES
FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2012

(October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012)

Priorities are numbered only for the purpose of identification and the numerical value of a priority is no indication of its significance in relation to any other. Priorities One through Six are the major systemic activities contemplated for Fiscal Year 2012; these priorities were developed in response to issues identified as broad concerns to the disability community and are not issues on which we have the capacity to provide individual representation. Only Priorities Seven (individual legal representation) and Eight (information/referrals and legal trainings) are activities contemplated for Fiscal Year 2012 undertaken in response to individual or organizational requests for assistance.

PRIORITY ONE:

Ensure that reports of abuse or neglect of persons with disabilities in public or private facilities and in the community are responded to, investigated, and addressed in a timely and effective manner by the appropriate authorities.

PRIORITY TWO:

Collaborate with the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council and the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities in (1) the development of policies that support competitive employment in integrated settings as the desired outcome for youth and young adults with disabilities, (2) the removal of systemic barriers to competitive employment in integrated settings, (3) the implementation of strategies and best practices that improve employment outcomes, and (4) the creation of enhanced statewide collaborations that can facilitate the transition process from secondary and post-secondary school, or other pre-vocational training settings, to competitive employment in in

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