Achieving full participation in the life of Alberta : status report : Premier's Council of the Status of Persons with Disabilities : action plan

20 Pages·1991·3.3 MB·English

by  Alberta. Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities

JUN 251991
Achieving
Fuii Participation
in the Life of
Alberta
Status Report
Premier's Council on the Status of Persons
with Disabilities Action Plan
May 1991
/dlberta
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016
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Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
Table of Contents
Page
I Overview 2
II Personal Supports 3
III Accessibility 6
IV Education 8
V Training 10
VI 11
Employment
VII Housing 11
VIII Financial Supports 12
IX Information 12
X Conclusion 13
►
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
I Overview
^ “ Each section of the Action Plan
begins with a d escription of the
issues and how they affect persons
^ “ Citizenship is the right of persons
with disabilities and having a
with disabilities. This is followed by
disability should not deny anyone
a section which highlights . . . why
access to the same services, rights
change is needed”.
and responsibilities as others. "
The Premier's Council undertook a
Approximately 279,000 Albertans live with
comprehensive study of the issues
some form of disability. Though these
affecting persons with disabilities. In the
individuals represent 1 1.9% of Alberta's Spring of 1990, it r eleased its Action Plan.
population (Statistics Canada, 1986 This Action Pian recommended ways for
Census), their needs, concerns and desires
the government to better respond to the
have not always been well met by needs of all Albertans with disabilities.
government programs and services. At a
very basic level, these programs and
“... we have focused on .. .
services were not necessarily designed to
issues that were identified by
ensure persons with disabilities were given
full and equal opportunity to participate in people with disabilities as the most
the life of the province. crucial to their ability to participate
The government of Alberta acknowledged in society ..."
this situation at a M arch 1987 meeting
The Action Pian of the Premier's Council
between Rick Hansen ("Man in Motion") on the Status of Persons With Disabilities
and Premier Don Getty. After this meeting,
focused on nine policy areas in which
Mr. Getty created The Premier's Council on chang• e ts r a iwneirnge needed:
the Status of Persons With Disabilities. The
Council was given a t en-year mandate • employment
during which it w ould advise the • education
government on methods of offering all
• t ransportation
persons with disabilities the opportunity to • recreation
• housing
take their rightful place in society. In June,
1989, the Premier's Council outlined a • accessibility
shared vision designed to transform
• personal supports
attitudes and provide the basis for a new
• f inancial supports.
policy framework. "Towards a N ew Vision
of Abilities in Alberta" provided the stimulus
for discussion and change, with a f ocus on
^ “ Recommended Action includes
the goal of equal status for all persons with the specific government
disabilities. department to which the
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
recommendation is directed and ^ “ Council had already determined
the proposed time frame for that it would be looking for changes
to the system rather than quick
accomplishing the change. ”
fixes’ which would not produce the
The Government of Alberta agreed with
the basic thrust of the Action Plan. desired long-term results. “
However, the recommendations
The government has responded to the
required a multitude of poiicy and
Action Plan in a p ositive and forthright
program changes, invoiving 12
manner. Of the 1 14 actions specified in the
government departments.
Action Plan. 30 have aiready been
impiemented. Another 66 actions are in
Alberta Family and Social Services,
the process of being impiemented and 18
Aiberta Health and other departments
are under various stages of review.
were in the process of responding to the
previousiy released Brassard Report,
This report summarizes the changes the
Claiming My Future. This report on
government has achieved to date, and
persons with mental disabilities
outiines the activities which are underway
compiemented the Action Plan.
to ensure that persons with disabilities have
Therefore, the government's response access to the same services, rights and
required a g reat deai of coordination
responsibiiities as other Albertans.
and consultation.
To ensure an effective government
response. Premier Getty directed the II Personal Supports
Honourabie Jim Dinning to act as the
Minister responsibie for the Premier's
^ “ It is the position of the Premier’s
Councii. One of Mr. Dinning 's first actions
Council that the provision of
was to caii together the ministers of the
12 departments affected by the Action personal supports should be
Plan.
separate and distinct from the need
for income support, age. place of
Mr. Dinning asked these ministers to
residence or the ability to fit into
provide their responses to
recommendations that affected their
some predefined program. ’’
departments. The purpose of doing so
was to create a w orkable structure and Achievements - H ome Care Program:
process for a c omprehensive and The primary purpose of the Home Care
effective government response to the Program is t o support individuals and their
Action Plan. famiiies when a p erson wishes to remain at
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
home despite significant heaith probiems more independently at home or in a
or disabiing conditions. home-like setting.
The Action Plan envisions a H ome Care At present, seniors can receive medical
Program which wiii provide medical and supplies and equipment at no cost, under
the Extended Health Benefits (EHB)
non-medical supports to an extended
clientele under the age of 65. The need program. However, those under 65 must
for many people under 65 is p rimarily for contribute to the costs of benefits under
AADL. In addition, some benefits are
non-medical supports.
available only under EHB. The Premier's
Two related strategies have been Council recommended that existing age
approved for expanding the Home Care and diagnostic barriers be removed and
Program to provide more services to that the program be applied equitably
persons under 65: across different groups.
• The Home Care Program will expand its As of July 1, 1991, the AADL and EHB
eligibility criteria to include persons programs will be amalgamated. Albertans
under 65 who require only support eligible for benefits will be required to cost-
services. share 25% of the costs, to a maximum of
$500 per family per year. However, low-
• A t hree-year transition strategy has income Albertans will be exempt from
been approved to serve individuals charges. In addition, those who receive
who need home health and support the Alberta Assured Income Plan, Alberta
services and who are currently served Widow's Pension, Social Allowance or
by Alberta Family and Social Services. Assured Income for the Severely
Under this strategy, the Home Care Handicapped will to be exempt from cost-
sharing.
Program will gradually assume
responsibility for home health and
support services for all persons with Additional steps will be taken to make the
physical disabilities. program more equitable. Additional funds
which result from cost sharing and
Achievements - A lberta Aids to Daily removing some low-cost benefits will be
Living (AADL) Program: used to extend some benefits to all age
Both the Extended Health Benefits and the groups and to add benefits for other kinds
AADL programs were designed to help of disabilities.
individuals who have long-term disabilities
and/or were diagnosed as chronically or Achievements - C ommunity Supports:
terminally ill. These programs provide a The Action Plan recommended the
wide variety of basic medical supplies and government establish a new approach to
equipment to enable them to function providing personal supports to persons with
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
disabilities. As a resuit, the government is mental health system. This policy statement
considering initiatives that will move will be the basis for the enhancement and
toward o more consolidated approach to strengthening of the mental health system
delivery of personal supports. Most and will be refined following consultation
notably, over the next few years, the with key stakeholders (e.g. Provincial
Home Care Program will become the Advisory Committee on Mental Health
Issues).
focus for the delivery of health and
support services In the home for persons
with physical disabilities. The mental health system is s triving to
achieve a b alance of services between
The Community Supports Task Force is hospital and community-based programs.
made up of representatives from eight Every attempt is being made to ensure that
government departments and the all approved mental health programs are
coordinated and mutually supportive. One
Premier's Council. The Task Force is
developing an incremental plan which will such service delivery model is c urrently
move government services further in the being evaluated in Grande Prairie. This
direction of consolidated delivery. This model Is d esigned to improve the balance
five-year plan will include several distinct between institutional and community-
phases. Each phase will be evaluated based services by coordinating existing
before the next phase is b egun. models of community support for people
with mental illness.
The objective of this approach is t o
improve services for persons with
Changes Underway - i ndividual Service
disabilities by ensuring a c oordinated, Needs for Persons with Disabilities:
consistent and effective delivery system. Alberta Health is d eveloping a m odel for
Such a s ystem could ultimately
self-managed care using direct funding
incorporate a v ariety of support programs under the Home Care Program. Alberta
which already exist in various government Family and Social Services is d eveloping
departments, as well as other components Individual Lifestyle Planning models and is
which may be required to meet unmet identifying personal support components
needs. A r eport outlining the plan is and potential funding guidelines.
expected soon.
Changes Underway - S ervices for Persons
Changes Undenvoy - M ental Health with Brain injuries:
Philosophy:
Alberta Health is c ompleting a c onsultative
The Mental Health Division of Alberta
planning process with stakeholders about
Health has developed a p aper 'New the needs of persons with brain injuries.
Directions for Mental Health Services in
Survivors of brain injuries, family members,
Alberta'. The document's purpose is t o advocacy groups and service providers
communicate the guiding policy for the
contributed to a p ublic discussion paper
further development of the province's that identifies the needs of survivors and
►
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
Buildings:
their families and suggests priorities for new
service and program development. The Alberta Education has developed
paper has been circulated widely guidelines to assist school jurisdictions to
throughout the province for public provide school buildings that are barrier-
comment and feedback. The results will free. Funding for handicapped facilities is
be used in developing a c omprehensive available under the Building Quality
plan for government consideration. Restoration and Modernization programs.
Alberta Education will allocate funds
Changes Underway - I ntegrating Persons according to the following priorities:
With Mental Handicaps Into Community • f irst, to schools with students who
Life: have disabilities
Alberta Family and Social Services is • second, to schools with students
examining ways to assist persons with whose parents have disabilities
mental disabilities who wish to move from • t hird, to schools offering continuing
the institution to the community to do so. education programs to the general
public.
Ill Accessibility
Achievement - B arrier-Free Transportation
Advisory Committee:
^ “ Access to all public buildings and Alberta Transportation and Utilities has
facilities is a h uman right, and yet established a B arrier-Free Transportation
Advisory Committee. This committee is
such access is often denied to
made up of representatives of disabled
persons with different types of consumers, seniors, urban and rural
disabilities. ” municipalities, and industry. The mandate
of the Advisory Committee is t o assist in
Achievement - A lberta Building Code the development and implementation of
Revisions:
its p olicy on barrier-free transportation and
Alberta Labour has adopted the 1990 mobility in the province. The Barrier-Free
Alberta Building Code. Changes to the Transportation Advisory Committee reports
Building Code will implement 16 Action to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Planning
Plan recommendations related to and Development Division of the
accessibility. The primary intent of these Department of Transportation and Utilities.
changes is t o ensure that persons with
disabilities will have adequate access to Achievements - B arrier-Free Approaches
public and residential facilities. Changes to To Buildings:
the Building Code include, for example, Alberta Public Works, Supply and Services
requirements for visual alarm signals in any has implemented projects and continues
building intended to be barrier-free. to introduce projects which eliminate
accessibility barriers to government-
Achievement - B arrier-Free School owned or operated facilities. Introduction
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
of special parking spaces, curb cuts and . . . leisure activities, which are
exterior ramps are some examples.
necessary to everyone’s mental,
emotional, and physical development
Achievements - C ommunity Faciiities
Accessibility Upgrade: and well-being, are often overlooked
Through Alberta Lotteries Major Exhibitions as unimportant for persons with
and Fairs, the Community Facility
Enhancement Program has supported disabilities ..."
projects which have improved
Changes Underway - B arrier-Free Design
accessibility to community facilities. Standards Committee:
Features such as elevators, ramps, lifts Alberta Recreation and Parks has
and washrooms have been added.
appointed a s enior staff member to be
Another example is assistance in
responsible for barrier-free policy, and has
providing special playground equipment established a c ommittee to develop a
for children with disabilities.
policy on barrier-free access to all publicly
funded parks and recreation facilities. The
Achievements - B arrier-Free Policy: policy will include developing a minimum
The Premier's Council recommended that standard for access for the disabled in the
Alberta Recreation and Parks develop a Provincial Parks Service.
policy on barrier-free access to all
publicly funded parks and recreation
Changes Underway - B arrier- Free Access
facilities. The department has established
to Publicly Funded Cultural Facilities and
a committee to develop barrier-free Events:
design guidelines. Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism is
assessing how the hearing impaired can
The Premier's Council also recommended be served better at performances in the
that Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism Jubilee Auditoriums. In addition, facilities
develop a b arrier-free policy. It w as such as the Reynolds and Remington
recommended this policy address Museums, which are under construction,
establishing minimum standards for the
are reviewing plans to ensure access for
provision of alternatives to print for people
disabled persons.
with visual impairment, and hearing
augmentation or interpreters for people
Changes Underway - B arrier-Free Transpor-
with hearing impairment. A c ommittee tation and Mobility Policy Statement:
has been established to deal with this
The Advisory Committee on Barrier-Free
matter.
Transportation is m ade up of
representatives of disabled consumers,
. . persons with disabilities are senior citizens, urban and rural
often denied access and are not municipalities, and industry. The committee
encouraged in their leisure pursuits is n ow developing a b arrier-free
Achieving Full Participation in the Life of Alberta
transportation and mobility policy Alberta Public Works, Supply and Services is
statement. This policy is e xpected to direct completing a s urvey to assess conditions
oil future work of the department. and to set priorities for accessibility
upgrading of government buildings.
Changes Underway - D esignated Parking
Use in Municipalities:
Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act
IV Education
ore being drafted. The amendments,
which would permit enforcement of
designated parking for disabled use in . . many children with disabilities
municipalities, ore expected to be
are not able to take their rightful
introduced in the Spring of 1991 . T he
place beside their peers within the
Advisory Committee on Barrier-Free
education system. Instead of
Transportation has hod extensive
consultations with disabled consumers and unconditionally accepting and
municipalities, in order to determine providing for all children the best
workable solutions to the issues related to
possible education, the response of
parking for persons with disabilities.
the system . . . has been to
segregate students who present
Changes Underway - A ccessibility of
Transportation Systems and Pedestrian
particular challenges to educators. "
Environments:
Alberta Transportation and Utilities and the Achievements - I ntegration of Special Needs
Students:
Advisory Committee on Barrier-Free
transportation are working together to Integration of special needs students is a t op
ensure accessibility of all transportation
priority for both the Premier's Council and
systems and pedestrian environments Alberta Education. Alberta Education has
under the jurisdiction of municipalities. released a S pecial Education Review Action
Committees have been established with Plan to explore needed changes in the
municipal transit and other provision of services to special needs
representatives, to develop common students. The Education Response Centre
provincial standards. Some of these has held regional meetings and developed
standards will be ready for
a p aper for discussion at the Minister's Forum
implementation in 1991. Proposals for on Special Education held in May 1991 .
changes to the existing transportation Additionally, in November, 1990, Honourable
grant programs will be made as part of the Jim Dinning, Minister of Education outlined a
department's regular review and renewal Vision for Education in the 1990's. The vision
of these programs. indicates that integration will become the
norm for disabled children with only a s mall
Changes Underway - E limination of Barriers few needing specialized non-integrated
Within Government Buildings:
programs.