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Speaking OutSpeaking out about appropriate community accommodation options for people with intellectual disability has been at the forefront of our work for many years. Our advocacy has focused on ensuring community accommodation options and on unmet need and the importance of providing support for families so that they avoid crises. Government PlansIn May 2006 the NSW Government announced a plan for disability services called 'Stronger Together' in which they promised to deliver significant additional accommodation, respite and therapy places for people with disability. NSW CID welcomed this progress whilst acknowledging that the plan would still not be able to provide enough places for the amount of unmet need in NSW. NSW CID advocates for accommodation options that allow people to live in the community, in a lifestyle similar to those who do not have a disability. Apart from the many people living with ageing carers, there are approximately 2,400 people living in large residential centres, whom we believe should be afforded the right to independent adult lives in the community with the appropriate safeguards and supports in place. NSW CID has dedicated much of our advocacy work toward urging Government to abandon plans to redevelop some large residential facilities and to develop a range of accommodation options that are in keeping with community norms; i.e. people living alone or in small groups sharing houses or flats where they have their own room. Please find below a NSW CID brochure which outlines our beliefs about the benefits of community living for people with intellectual disability.
Recent newsIn February 2008 a NSW CID delegation met with the Disability Services Minister Kristina Keneally to once again express our alarm at the Government's move away from a long-standing committment to close all large residential centres. The Government however informed us that they will 'redevelop' rather than close at least some of the institutions, with plans already underway. Some members of NSW CID have lived in instutitions in the past, and advocate very strongly against them. Some of these people were present at the meeting with the Minister and felt very strongly that large institutions cannot provide appropriate safeguards for the residents. NSW CID will continue to lobby against such redevelopments and actively encourage the Government to look at funding alternative models of accommodation such as flexible packages and drop in support. For more information see NSW CID's position paper on Accommodation below. Accommodation Forums - 'What future for Kim'NSW CID recently hosted two accommodation forums - one south of Sydney in Kiama on the 4th June 2008 and one in Parramatta on 25th June 2008. At these forums we discussed the various models of accommodation currently available for people with intellectual disability and what options we should be looking toward in the future. The discussion was very interesting with varying opinions on this very important issue. To read more about these forums click on the link below.
DADHC Respite Policy - have your say!
DADHC have recently released a draft policy on managing people with disability who overstay in respite accommodation services. This policy uses very harsh and punitive language.
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