Global-Report-Living-Colour-dr2-2

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities
GLOBAL REPORT ON ARTICLE 19: THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY
65
‰ State Sponsored Residential Options are
Segregated and “Institutional”
When families break down or are unable to care for a
person with an intellectual disabilities, state
sponsored supports and services are tied to
residential facilities that are institutional in structure,
and segregated or isolating in the way they are
delivered. Where people with intellectual disabilities
are admitted to institutions our members report that
usually there is not even a process for consulting the
person. The breakdown of families is often the result
of the failure of governments and communities to
adequately support families and individuals to the
point of crisis. A mother in Canada expressed her
frustration with the lack of supports provided to
enable families to allow their sons and daughters with
intellectual disabilities to grow-up at home, “Faced
with inadequate services and supports, parents are
essentially being told that unless we can find a way to
do it all ourselves, our choices are to turn our kids
over to the Children’s Aid or to the criminal justice
system. Really? Is that the best we can do?”
‰ Daily Living Supports Attached to Real Estate
Where some efforts have been made to develop
supports and services which are physically in the
community, many continue to be separate and
isolating either because services are attached to
specific homes, apartments or facilities or because
instead of allowing people to use the housing options
which are available to others in the community,
governments and community agencies continue to
create separate “disability-specific” options specifically
for people with disabilities. In the Netherlands, the
eligibility criteria for support needs were identified as
a significant barrier to access residential options.
Under the General Act on Extraordinary Healthcare
Costs, “one group is not entitled for residential care
and receives support based on individual needs. One
group is considered to be in high need for support
KENYA “I am not worried because I
know her cousin will treat her well
and knows how to communicate with
Damaris. She is still nearby and we
talk on the phone every day so I
would know if anything was wrong.
As well as learning hairdressing at her
cousin’s home salon Damaris is
helping to take care of the two
children and learning about family life
and looking after a home Ndumberi in
Kiambu county.”
“Not everyone accepts people with
disabilities in the communities where
we live. Some people who do not
know people with intellectual
disabilities treat them as dirty people
and not all teachers accept them in
classrooms. We want our children to
be included in the community.”
In addition many of the female selfadvocates
commented that they worry
about cases of rape and are scared to
go out. They also reported being
pressured into sexual activity by their
peers. Such sexual violence and
exploitation is indicative of a lack of
respect within the community.