Historic Hissom Memorial Center Lawsuit Hits 25-Year Mark

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- It's been 25 years ago since a Tulsa family filed a lawsuit that changed the way people with severe developmental disabilities are treated by the state.

The Homeward Bound challenged the state to create communities for people live in, rather than be forced into institutions. It led to the closing of Hissom Memorial Center in 1994.

Those behind the move say the residential living option is cheaper for the state and closing the remaining institutions would help the state's budget today.

"That would go a long ways towards addressing this short fall and the people coming out of those institutions would have a better quality of life," said Louis Bullock, Homeward Bound attorney.

"It makes no sense to have people locked away with second rates services that for which we pay a premium."

They estimated the state could save $17 million in the first year by offering the Homeward Bound services to all of its residents.