Fernald

The Fernald Developmental Center, once home to thousands of mentally disabled men, women, and children, now houses 13 residents.

The Fernald Developmental Center, once home to thousands of mentally disabled men, women, and children, now houses 13 residents. It is the oldest institution for the disabled in the United States and has been under threat of closure since the early 2000s, as politicians have worked to cut costs in state budgets. The 186-acre campus of Fernald is largely in disrepair, but the 13 remaining residents have guaranteed level of care rights granted in 1993 as a part of a lawsuit relating to illegal human radiation testing. Their guardians don’t want the residents moved to private facilities, saying that it would cause undue hardship in the remaining years of these people's lives. The youngest resident is 46, and the oldest is 84.