Alberta and British Columbia have long-standing and well-developed direct funding programs for people who have an intellectual or developmental disability. As Ontario develops its own stream of direct funding, it is important to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions. READ THE ARTICLE
Community Living Ontario’s Recommendations for Direct Funding for People Who Have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Many stakeholders in Ontario have advocated for direct funding – where people manage and pay for their own supports rather than choosing options offered by a service agency – for several decades. Community Living Ontario supports the growth of direct funding because it has been shown to increase flexibility, control, and quality of life for people and families who choose … Read More
Five Ideas about Housing for People Who Have Intellectual Disabilities
The 2021 federal budget included several welcome announcements about affordable housing, including the Federal Community Housing Initiative and the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund. These programs will add to the already substantial funding provided by the National Housing Strategy, which includes a goal to create 2,400 new affordable housing units for people who have developmental disabilities. As these programs are rolled … Read More
Separating Housing from Disability Supports: An Idea Whose Time has Come?
It is common practice in Ontario for people who have developmental disabilities to access housing and other needed supports from a single service provider. A number of stakeholders have argued that separating the provision of housing from other supports would boost system flexibility and increase people’s ability to obtain a full suite of supports. READ THE ARTICLE
The Myth of Economies of Scale in Developmental Services
It is commonly believed that large congregated residential facilities for people who have developmental disabilities are less expensive to operate than group homes or supported independent living. Yet information from the United States shows that, even for people with high support needs, large congregated facilities are in fact more costly than small group homes or supported independent living. Furthermore, smaller … Read More
Lessons from Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is often referenced as a leading example of disability service reform, and there is much to learn from the country’s experience. However, the NDIS has been plagued by a number of issues – especially for people who have an intellectual disability – and it is crucial that we learn from Australia’s mistakes. READ THE … Read More
The Importance of Our Autonomy
Volunteering with various organizations to flame the social change movement, Joyce Balaz has been advocating for persons living with disabilities to have equitable access to the supports necessary to live an everyday ordinary life in the community. Joyce holds leadership roles in the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario, Ontario Independent Facilitation Network, Family Network Thames Valley and Family Alliance Ontario. For me, … Read More
Position: The Right to Live in the Community
People First of Canada (PFC) believes that no person, regardless of disability, should live in any kind of situation that promotes or practices congregation, segregation, or isolation. It is our belief that all people, regardless of disability, can live within their community, with appropriate supports. We also believe that people should exercise their right to voice and choice in determining … Read More
Crystalizing the Case for Deinstitutionalization: COVID-19 and the Experiences of Persons with Disabilities
Crystalizing the Case for Deinstitutionalization: Covid 19 and the Experiences of Persons with Disabilities[i] From the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK (LSE) May 2021 Martin Knapp, Eva Cyhlarova, Adelina Comas-Herrera, Klara Lorenz-Dant FORWARD Professor Gerard Quinn United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Chair, Leeds University Centre for Disability Studies, UK Affiliated Chair, … Read More
Bill 218: The Death of Memory
It was on or about May 20 that the Canadian Armed Forces submitted what has to be described as a whistleblower report to the federal government as to the conditions of the long-term care homes in Ontario. In part, this report detailed cases where residents had not been fed or bathed and many were literally crying out for help. Cockroach … Read More
