Federal judge OKs DOJ settlement in Virginia disability services case

In a hearing this past Friday a federal judge said he would approve a $2 billion settlement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Justice Department designed to expand community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But before Judge John A. Gibney enters the agreement into the court record, he wants a provision added that would give residents of state institutions the option to remain in a state-run facility.

Gibney's closing statement came after nearly five hours of testimony from experts and from relatives of people with disabilities living successfully in the community, as well as relatives of people who've resided much of their lives in large, state institutions or training centers.

...read the full report at Federal judge OKs DOJ settlement on newsleader.com.

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For more background on the case, see News from Virginia: Department of Justice defends Va. institutions settlement on this blog.