OLMSTEAD UPDATES

News blog follows implementation of landmark 2014 federal consent decree that requires Rhode Island to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. Over ten years, Rhode Island must reinvent state services for citizens with developmental disabilities to give them opportunities for supportive employment and meaningful activities in their communities.

The family advocacy group RI FORCE plans to use its Facebook page to live stream the Sept. 11 public forum sponsored by the Rhode Island Division of Developmental Disabilities, according to the organization’s chief spokesman, Christopher Semonelli. Once the meeting concludes, the video will remain available on Facebook, Semonelli said in an email.

The public forum, focusing on employment, will feature a question-and-answer session by the independent federal court monitor overseeing the implementation of inclusive policies and practices as part of the state’s compliance with a 2014 civil rights decree.

RI FORCE stands for Rhode Island Families Organized For Reform Change and Empowerment, and a link to the group’s Facebook page is here.

The meeting will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m., will be at the East Providence Senior Center, 610 Waterman Ave., East Providence. (related article below.)

(This article originally identified Semonelli as the president of RI Force. He is the vice-president. Wilfred Beaudoin is the president.)