Noll G.
1/5
Don't be fooled! Developmental Concepts is a sham that does not respect the consumers they serve!
As a person with a disability I have experienced disrespectful and demeaning behavior from many throughout my lifetime. Perhaps most troubling is that a number of the people who are responsible for this behavior are tasked by the State of Idaho with assisting me in activities of daily living. Enter Developmental Concepts. These “professionals” are hired using taxpayer money to assure that I am able to live independently with dignity and contribute to my community.
However, Developmental Concepts and owner Heather Walker are themselves the perpetrators of unjust and disgusting behaviors in contrast to what they claim to promote: independent living, community integration, and equality for all they take taxpayer money to serve.
For example, one recent incident sticks out in my mind for its violation of my civil liberties and involves Developmental Concepts. At a local music event last summer this provider, while with ME in the community and NOT vice-versa, took it upon themselves to mind my morality for me by forcefully removing a beer from my hand and then me from the event entirely because they viewed said event and consuming alcohol as being against their “company policy.” I find this odd in that Heather Walker herself drinks alcohol!
However, it was well-established many months prior in my sign-up interview with Developmental Concepts and its owner Heather Walker that I enjoyed participating in such public events where alcohol is served as well as consuming alcohol in the privacy of my own home. She agreed in my and others presence that since they worked for me it was within my rights to do so mentioning nothing of this policy at the time.
Additionally, in another incident, staff from Developmental Concepts took it upon themselves to dump two cases of beer purchased by me down my own kitchen sink in light of this phony, short-sighted, hypocritical policy. So, not only was I publically demeaned, humiliated, and treated like a child I was also treated this way IN MY OWN HOME and lied to, all because I am a person with a disability. Obviously, this is counter to the Constitution of the United States and rights of people, disabled and otherwise, everywhere.
As a self-advocate and community leader I call upon everyone in the community, be it people with disabilities, their families, and friends, service providers, etc. to bring similar incidents that they’ve experienced to light publically so we can begin a dialogue to seek to end these unjust acts and behaviors and see to it that taxpayer money is spent as intended. As human beings we ALL deserve equal access and respect in spite of our differences. THIS GOES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPTS TOO!!!!!
