their community. Without funding and with limited services and resources,
families often have to decide whether to change the employment situation of one
parent in order to have someone to assist the person with the disability during the
day and allow him or her to participate in their community. When proper funding
and supports are not available to them, the other option for the family often is to
have the dependent adult placed in a group home, hospital or long term care
facility. The result for the person with the disability is social isolation, loss of
independence and loss of dignity.
In November 2012, the Ontario Ombudman’s Office announced its investigation^35
into “the province’s services for adults with developmental disabilities who are in
crisis situations”. According to the Ombudsman’s Office news release, “The
investigation will focus on two issues – whether the Ministry is adequately
responding to urgent situations involving adults with developmental disabilities,
and whether it is doing enough to co-ordinate, monitor and facilitate access to
services for them. “ Once the Ombudsman completes the investigation and
releases a report, more information will be available on the ARCH website.^36
- Direct Funding
According to information provided by the Ministry of Community and Social
Services, funding entities will be taking applications from those who wish to
purchase and manage their own supports and services under a direct funding
model in the future. This model would allow an individual to receive a block
amount of funding from which they can choose the supports and services that
they wish to acquire. The expectation is that direct funding would allow
individuals more choice and would allow them to have their needs better met
through the individualized funding.
(^35) Online: Ontario Ombudsman, “Ontario Ombudsman to investigate province’s services for
adults with developmental disabilities in crisis,” TORONTO (November 29, 2012)
http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Newsroom/Press-Release/2012/Ontario-Ombudsman-to-
investigate- 36 provinces-servic.aspx
Online ARCH Disability Law Centre http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca