The Inclusive Living Options for People with Intellectual Disability Master Class was held on Wednesday, 24th March, 2010. This was the first in a series of Master Classes which will be organised by the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies on topics of interest to the membership. The Master Class series is part of a wider vision for the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies to develop a Centre for Innovation and Learning.
The primary purpose of the Centre would be:
- An intelligence gathering resource which can source contemporary information / evidence in relation to international / national best practice.
- An effective disseminator of this information to our membership.
- An assistance to members to replicate and extend implementation of innovative service options in their own area.
- To become by reason of its objectives and values an accepted and accredited forum for the promotion of innovative support options for people who use services.
The topic of Inclusive Living Options arose from the work of the Research Sub Committee’s research agenda in 2009 on Living Options. Whilst pursuing this as a priority topic in 2009, the Sub Committee unearthed examples of good practice which exist in the member organisations in developing Inclusive Living Options for people in their community. We also unearthed some research projects which had this as their central theme. The wider context for today’s seminar looks to the current climate in which services are supporting people.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2008 Article 19 recognises the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others,
"……(a) Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement;(b) Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home, residential and other community support services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community;(c) Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs."
In addition the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies overall vision for people with intellectual disability is being supported to live a life on one’s own terms. Above all, people have a deep rooted desire to belong, to be in a relationship, to live within the intimacy and security of their family and friends, to be included in the greater life around them with all its attendant possibilities for hope and fulfillment and to do so, to the greatest extent possible, on their own terms.
This seminar attempts to address how we can realise the aspirations of the UN Convention and the vision as espoused by the National Federation and examine what new and different practices exist among member organisations and how we can learn from each other.
The seminar included presentations on:
Contract Families
A Galway based project set up by the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway in partnership with Ability West through funding from Pobal (Department of Justice and Law Reform) Enhancing Disability Services Scheme. This two year pilot project has been evaluated for its effectiveness in providing inclusive community based short break alternatives for children and adults with intellectual disability in Galway. You can download the abstract here. You can download the presentation here.
Room to Let
A presentation was also given by Dr. Bernie Fay from Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary (Muiríosa Foundation) on an initiative called Room to Let. You can download the abstract here. You can download the presentation here.
Where we Live
The findings of an Inclusive Research Project entitled Where we Live was presented by Members of the Inclusive Research Network, a network of researchers with intellectual disability who come together to do research about issues relevant to people with intellectual disability. This survey was conducted by people to find out where people lived and what they like and do not like about this. You can download the abstract here. You can download the presentation here.
A Place Called Home
Dr. Brian McClean from Brothers of Charity Roscommon and Chair of the Research Sub Committee in 2009 presented on the outcomes from a Pobal sponsored project, transitions to socially inclusive living and the pursuit of this topic as the research priority of the Research Sub Committee. His presentation was entitled: "A Place Called Home: What Kind of Home is Best and How Services Can Get You There". You can download the abstract here. You can download the presentation here.