Conference Proceedings Report - Final Draft - National Federation ...

From ‘Different’ to ‘How to get there’
From findings to recommendations
As Ed Bernacki explained, it is not enough to simply record the notes and never look at
them again; the real question that should be posed is ‘What’s next?’ This conference was
about harnessing capacity to innovate i.e., harvesting our people who have the ideas and
turning those ideas into actions. These broad themes listed above, as well as the other
suggestions that emerged from the workshops, should be seen as core issues for the
National Federation when planning future training, research, and practice and policy
development.
Dr. John O’Brien talked about the networked desire to create and the need to ask
ourselves what it is we want to create. Innovation he said comes from listening and
listening grows from creating stillness and connection. Dr. O’Brien spoke of 3 distinct
spheres of action for shifting power for people with intellectual disability.
- Being seen and treated as equals
- Being influential in policy making and service management
- Being in control of the assistance and the money that pays for it.
These 3 spheres lead to freedom from disrespect and result in a capacity to change
services. Having valued roles and relationships leads to valued roles in the community
which in turn leads to freedom to contribute to a changed community.
When assessing future training needs for staff, these 7 key actions should be taken into
account as areas requiring more attention, particularly the themes of shifting power and
decision making and what effect that will have on training requirements for service
providers.
Future research recommendations should also be influenced by the outcomes achieved
at the conference, both in the choice of research topics and in the method of conducting
research. The common themes that emerged from the generating solutions sessions
should be seen as important areas for future research. These themes will be considered in
the development of the national research strategy that is currently under construction.
From looking at the prevalent themes that emerged at this conference, the future of
service policies and practices might not look like the services as we see them today but
have a more individualised appearance where the funding goes to the people with
intellectual disability rather than the service providers. The development and delivery of
services should be more flexible and user friendly, with the theme of partnership at its
core. This will involve a shift in culture, a shift in power, listening to those who use the
services and those who care for people using the services. It will mean decisions are
made where people with intellectual disability are key informants and key decision
makers and where supports are made available to people to help them make those
decisions.
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