TN ranks near bottom on caring for disabled

photo A swing.

Tennessee ranks 47th in the nation in its care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to a new annual survey to be released Thursday by a national advocacy organization for people with disabilities.

The rankings by Washington, D.C.-based United Cerebral Palsy weighed factors such as quality of life led by people with disabilities, the state's efforts to promote independence, health and safety issues, as well as policies designed to keep families together, rather than moving individuals to homes or facilities set aside for the disabled.

DIDD officials did not have an opportunity to fully review the study, noting they had some concerns about the accuracy of its data. DIDD spokeswoman Cara Kumari also noted the agency has initiated reforms, improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, keeping more people out of institutions and working with advocates and others to develop a new care plan for the state.

Read more from our news partners at The Tennessean.

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