Guaranteeing Access to Disability Supports for People who have and Intellectual Disability

When the Ministry of Community and Social Services outlined the policy objectives for transformation of supports and services in its 2006 document Opportunities and Actions, it described four key objectives for improved services: fairness, flexibility, streamlined access and sustainability. Community Living Ontario argued at the time that adequacy should be included as one of the objectives. We argued that funding should aim to ensure that the supports and services provided were adequate to meet the needs of all those requiring support in a timely fashion.

Despite the introduction of new Developmental Services legislation, an extensive exploration of the sector by the Ombudsman and a Select Committee of the Legislature and an unprecedented multi-year investment of new support funding, more people than ever are waiting for the supports and services they need to live in the community.

On March 16, Community Living Ontario in collaboration with Ryerson University School of Disability Studies is hosting this year’s policy forum which will look at what it would take to introduce a new government policy mandating disability supports for people who have an intellectual disability and ensuring people are guaranteed access to the support they require without unreasonable delay.

The day will explore:

• What a system of mandated services might look like;
• What are the range of supports and services that people might expect under such a system;
• What safeguards would need to be in place;
• Legal obligations that currently exist for government to implement a system of mandated service;
• How should such a mechanism be integrated into other entitlement systems such as employment income and health services;
• What models currently exist in Canada and internationally that we might learn from and adapt for use in Ontario.

Who Should Attend? The event is open to anyone interested in being part of this policy/law reform discussion. We welcome members of Community Living Ontario, students and faculty of Ryerson University and all others who support community inclusion, including people who have a disability, family members, volunteers, service providers, policy makers, etc.

Special Considerations - The room is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible washrooms close by in the building. If there is any specific accommodation that you require to participate in this event including any dietary restrictions please send an email with the information to [email protected]. If possible, let us know about any accommodation requirements 2-3 weeks in advance of the event.