David Taylor

David Taylor (he/him) worked with the Harvard Project on Disability (HPOD) and Self-Advocats Becoming Empowered (SABE). He worked with Chaquetta Stuckey to learn more about the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) receiving Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs. We wanted to know what people with ID think about the care they receive and how they receive it.  

Report

Exploring Research on the Experiences of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in U.S. Adult Services Programs: Perspectives from Self-Advocates 

This research was created by David Taylor and Chaquetta Stuckey, two self-advocates with intellectual disabilities who wanted to understand the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities who receive Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs. Before the creation of HCBS waiver programs, most publicly-funded disability services were available only in institutions, which segregate adults with disabilities from society. HCBS waiver program services, in contrast, aim not only to prevent adults with disabilities from living in institutions, but also to support them to live independently in the community. Today, many people with intellectual disabilities in the United States receive the services and supports that they need to be included in their communities through their states’ HCBS waiver programs. The research was supported by Anne Fracht and Hezzy Smith from the Harvard Project on Disability. 

Read David’s blog: The Road to “Beyond Tokenism” 

Bio

David Taylor (he/him) is committed to advancing the rights of people with disabilities, with a focus on self-advocacy and self-determination. David has held various leadership positions on boards, with advocacy groups and currently serves on the Board of Directors of TASH. David is a certified Peer Support Mentor and a trainer/consultant providing training, curriculum development, presentations, facilitation and consultation. David was instrumental in organizing the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council 2013 project “Beyond Tokenism: People with Complex Needs in Leadership Roles.” 

Keywords

Disability Rights, Social Isolation, Social Connectedness, Relationships, Self-Advocacy, Community, Waivers, HCBS, Community, Self-Determination