"Like other Americans, persons with mental retardation (MR)*
grow up, grow old, and need good health and health care services
in their communities...People with MR are remaining in their
communities. In ever-increasing numbers, people with MR either
do not enter institutions, or they leave them to live with their
families or in other community settings, and they are determined
to understand and take charge of their health. But in most
cases, neither the education and training of health
professionals nor other elements of the Nation's health system
have been updated to reflect their progress. Especially as
adolescents and adults, people with MR and their families face
evergrowing challenges in finding and financing primary and
specialty health care that responds both to the characteristics
of MR and to the distinctive health care needs of each stage of
life. "The purpose of this Blueprint is to set forth an agenda
from the community for national, State, and local action, in
both public and private sectors, to