independence and community inclusion for people who had been labelled with an
intellectual disability some supports needed to continue. The APSW program
was designed to pair an individual with a worker who could provide social
support, guidance and who could assist the individual to advocate for further
participation in the community. The APSW program continues to date. More
information about this program can be found at http://www.apsao.org/.
H. Social Inclusion ActThe Government of Ontario first introduced the Bill for the Services and Supports
to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act,
(“Social Inclusion Act”) in 2008. The government saw the need for more
consistency in the assessment of people’s needs and in the delivery of supports
and funding. This consistency and modernization of the system for accessing
services for people who have been labelled with an intellectual disability was to
be achieved through the Social Inclusion Act.
The community supporting people who have been labelled with intellectual
disabilities was fairly supportive of the Social Inclusion Act and was hopeful that it
would promote further inclusion of people who have been labelled with
intellectual disabilities in their communities^23. To some, the Act held the
promises of more consistent eligibility criteria; self directed funding; greater
coordination of services to allow for more choice and flexibility in programs and
(^23) See for example the description provided on the website of Community Living Ontario online:
Community Living Ontario, “Supports and Services”
http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/issues/policy-issues/supports-and-services