Nova Scotia Deinstitutionalization

1
Nova Scotia - Deinstitutionalization
DEINST.
Provincial Forums on Choices for People with
Intellectual Disabilities
Polices and Practices Regarding the Use of
Restraints and Aversive Behavioural Control in
Government Funded Facilities
Raising Awareness about Institutionalization in
NS
Project activities
 Conduct research on the use of restraints and
other aversive behaviour control methods used in
government funded facilities
Submit a series of articles on institutions and
supported decision making in NSACL newsletter
Formed Provincial NSACL-People First NS Task
Force on DEINST
Meet with senior provincial bureaucrats to
discuss practices and policies re behaviour
control in institutions
Circulate news to e-mail contact list
Present issues re institutions to Disabled
Persons Commission
Meet with Minister of Community Services to
discuss issues with institutions
Hold press conference govt announced building
new institution
Hold 3 provincial forums on choices for people
with intellectual disabilities
Who NSACL president, ED, parent, People
First When November 2006 following press
conference Actions Meeting Institutions and
government announcement Data ppl attending
Who NSACL 150 ppl (families, other
organizations individuals with disabilities
disabled persons commission, opposition
critics When November 2006 Actions Info went
out through newsletter contact list Panel of
speakers (incl. Former staff member of
institution 2 family members People First
NSACL) Rally at legislature Data amount/type
press coverage 3 tv stations (Global, CBC,
CTV), newspaper, CBC radio ppl attending
types ppl attending/representation
Who 2 coalitions (anti-poverty disability
rights) initial 100 e-mail addresses (incl.
organizations and coalitions) govt officials,
minister, 2 universities and community college
occ. Therapists School of Social Work
families When As needed Actions Newsletters,
info about press conference, news updates Data
ppl on contact list / frequency
postings/updates sent
Who Mary - author - Two coalitions send out on
NSACL behalf When Past year (August 2006)
Actions Articles published on institutions
(e.g. opening of memorial garden in BC) Talking
to People First looking for individuals to
write future articles article submitted on UN
convention Barriers Lack of person to write
articles on supported decision making looking
to recruit Data Copies of articles unsure of
circulation forwarded by other groups
(electronically) E-mail sent to newsletter list.
circulation (initial distribution newsletter
group) ask groups who they send on to types of
groups
Who NSACL executive with assistance from legal
counsel When November 2006 being re-sent Aug.
2007 Actions Letter/survey to minister re what
methods condoned re govt funded program
(training, who does it, policies in place) no
reply Was to be report documenting framing as
human rights issue NOTE potential alternative
survey service providers if no response from
minister Data Expected policies allowed for
govt funded programs (what is permitted and
under what conditions) Disseminate report to
families, newsletter, govt
Who Organizing Partners NSACL, People First,
Disabled Persons Commission. Attendees people
with disabilities, friends, family members,
service providers, government officials,
community organizations Forum 2 also includes
national representation from task force When
Forum 1 February 15, 2007 Forum 2 Oct. 11,
2007 Forum 3 TBA Actions Forum 1 -
Community dialogue, Quality of life for ppl with
intellectual disabilities World Café forum
(small group discussions 3 questions)
presentations by Mary, People First Identify
next steps to build on momentum. Forum 2 -
Deinstitutionalization How to make it happen
AM presentations PM Create action plan for
all attendees Panel about history of movement.
Forum 3 Report on action plan from forum 2
regroup, define next steps Data Forum 1 -
attendees Feedback/comment sheets (value/content
of workshop) proceedings report. Forum 2 -
Action plan tools for families attendees
Who Presenters National task force Audience -
Disabled Persons Commission When Oct. 2007 (day
after forum 2) Actions Present Data ppl
attending
Who NSACL and sr. prov. bureaucrats When Prior
to Mar. 2008 (anticipated pending response to
research letter/survey) Actions Present policy
recommendations based on research Data policy
presentation mtgs, who was present, mtg
minutes, commitments made
Who NSACL and People First NS When meets
monthly and as needed Actions Institution Watch
(newsletter) send to every MLA in prov. all work
in DEINST is through task force Data mtgs of
task force newsletters sent
Outputs Actions (Changes to resources,
practices, relationships)
Short term Outcomes
8. Increase understanding of existing policies
and practices in govt funded facilities re use
of restraints and aversive behaviour control
methods
4. Gain commitment for future meetings with
Minister and meet quarterly with bureaucrats to
discuss policy options and alternatives to
institutionalization
7. Increase knowledge/understanding of Disabled
Persons Commission re issues with institutions
5. Increase awareness of attendees re
presence/role of institutions
9. Influence policy in place re aversive
behaviour control in govt funded facilities (if
in existence) or develop to new
policies/practices to prohibit such techniques
6. Mobilize action for closure of institutions
begin conversation
3. Increase press coverage re issues with
institutions
1. Increase awareness of Nova Scotians
particularly , young families and community
organizations about number of ppl in
institutions and issues associated with
institutionalization
2. Educate MLAs/ increase awareness about
institutionalization in NS
Limit of 2007-2008 project activities
Influence policy/practices to reduce admissions
to institutions
Potential new partnerships, training, action
Adopt-an-MLA program submitted to NSACL executive
(recommendation from Forum 1)
Potential future meetings with Dalhousie Legal
Aid (had 1 mtg)