State of Denial
Inside Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities
Arizona’s services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are supposed to be the best in the country. But the state is failing to deliver. ProPublica and the Arizona Daily Star are working to make stories accessible. You can read the stories in plain language and Spanish and listen to audio versions.
Original Text:
- People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.
- Editors’ Note: Why We Investigated the Treatment of People With Developmental Disabilities
- He Has a Developmental Disability and Needs a Caretaker. The State Suggested Diapers Instead.
- She Needs a Device to Communicate. The State Has Kept it From Her for 18 Months.
- “I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
- Community Storytelling Is Informing Our Coverage of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services. Share Your Story.
- What’s Your Experience With Intellectual and Developmental Disability Care in Arizona?
- They Made a Revolutionary System to Protect People With Developmental Disabilities. Now It’s Falling Apart.
- Join Us for an Event About Our Investigation Into Arizona’s Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services
- After a Violent Crime, Arizona Promised Reforms for People With Developmental Disabilities. It Has Yet to Deliver.
Audio (Original Text):
- People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.
- He Has a Developmental Disability and Needs a Caretaker. The State Suggested Diapers Instead.
- She Needs a Device to Communicate. The State Has Kept it From Her for 18 Months.
- “I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
Plain Language:
- Arizona Promised to Help People With Developmental Disabilities. But Some Had to Wait a Long Time. Some Did Not Get Help at All.
- Editors’ Note: Why We Wrote about the Way People With Developmental Disabilities Get Treated
- How We Wrote the Story
- He Has a Developmental Disability. He Needs a Helper. Arizona Said He Could Wear Diapers Instead.
- She Needs a Device to Talk to People. Arizona Has Not Given It to Her. It Has Been 1.5 Years.
- “I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
- This System Is Supposed to Protect People With Developmental Disabilities. It Is Falling Apart.
- Join Us to Talk About the Stories We Wrote About People With Developmental Disabilities in Arizona
- A Woman With Developmental Disabilities Was Abused in Arizona. The State Promised Changes. It Has Not Made Them Yet.
Audio (Plain Language):
- Arizona Promised to Help People With Developmental Disabilities. But Some Had to Wait a Long Time. Some Did Not Get Help at All.
- He Has a Developmental Disability. He Needs a Helper. Arizona Said He Could Wear Diapers Instead.
- She Needs a Device to Talk to People. Arizona Has Not Given It to Her. It Has Been 1.5 Years.
- “I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
En español:
Event Recordings:
Prometieron ayuda para las personas con discapacidades de desarrollo. En lugar de recibirla, enfrentan retrasos y rechazos.
Arizona se conoce como el mejor lugar del país para las personas con discapacidades de desarrollo. Sin embargo, debido a problemas con sus trámites, el estado ha rechazado a miles de personas que buscan asistencia.
Community Storytelling Is Informing Our Coverage of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services. Share Your Story.
Journalists have not always brought people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the conversation. We’re trying to change that with our investigation into Arizona’s disability services. But we need your help.
What’s Your Experience With Intellectual and Developmental Disability Care in Arizona?
The Arizona Daily Star and ProPublica are investigating services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here's how people with disabilities, their families, friends, caregivers, teachers and medical providers can help.
Arizonans: Share Your Story About Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at our Virtual Event
The Arizona Daily Star and ProPublica want to hear about your experiences with intellectual and developmental disabilities services. Join storytelling coaches, journalists and the Detour Company Theatre on July 8 to get involved.
Intellectual Disability Service Providers Want to Protect Clients. The State Isn’t Telling Them How.
Bars, restaurants, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have closed or are practicing social distancing in Arizona. But group homes and other programs have received little guidance, putting people with intellectual disabilities at risk.
