Long Road Home - Olmstead, It’s The Law! Set Our People Free! 
Long Road Home is a week of events leading up to the anniversary of Olmstead on June 22.

Our Goal:
It is about celebrating Olmstead and bringing attention to the fact that people are still locked away in state hospitals and nursing homes.
People First Vows to End Institutional Bias in Georgia!

History and Purpose
The Annual Celebration of The Olmstead Decision of 1999

The Olmstead Decision of 1999 ( see more info on Olmstead Decision by clicking http://www.atlantalegalaid.org/impact.htm ) was a landmark Supreme Court decision ordering the states to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing services to people with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

Long Road Home March (LRH) and Celebrations – since 2004, we have been doing Long Road Home. Self Advocates from around Georgia organized the LRH, We have done marchs, rallies and caravans to demonstrate the lack of community-based services.  We vowed to continue until we have full compliance of Olmstead in Georgia.  Help us  plan for 2011 by organizing an event in your area. We are determined to rid Georgia of institutional bias.  The purpose of this campiagn is to call the attention of Governor, State Legislature, Agency and Department officials and the general public to the fact that :
 
• Independent living is something that most Georgians take for granted, but for Georgians with disabilities, this is not the daily reality of life.
 
• The US Supreme Court affirmed, on June 22, 1999, that states must “allow and aid” those who want  to  live in the community to do so, by providing community-based services (rather than institutionalization.)  Even though this decision, known as the Olmstead decision, originated from a case in Georgia, our state lags behind in assisting Georgians with disabilities in leading full and productive lives.
 
• Many Georgians with significant disabilities currently need help to either stay out of institutions or get out of institutions; some people have been waiting for 50 years for appropriate services. The fact that they could live in the community at a less cost to medicaid still has not spured Georgia to become Olmstead compliant.

We are currently looking for  People first Chapters, other groups, or organization to organize local clebrations in their area for the week before June 22. 2012. We are looking to expand Long Road Home across the nation. If you are interested or want more info, please email cmitchell@thegao.org or cherimitchellg@gmail.com