Parents and families met with Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott on Oct. 20 to protest what they see as the dismantling of the Fergus Community Living day program for special needs clients.
However, Laura Hanley, executive director of Guelph Wellington Community Living, says while there have been significant changes over the past few years, day programs are still in place.
Those protesting argued that intellectually-challenged adults incapable of living and working independently should not be moved or forced out of safe and secure day and community programs.
One of those taking action is Kate Harper, whose sister is impacted by the changes.
Harper and others whose families are affected started a petition to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Community and Social Services Helena Jaczek seeking answers.
Harper said changes are being implemented at the Fergus Community Living office without consultation with families. She contends the issue began a few years ago with the Wynne government’s decision to close all sheltered workshops.
Harper said closing day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities would:
– infringe on individual rights to decide where they volunteer and work in the community;
– force many to be treated as “independent adults” when many are not capable of this;
– move activity programs to group homes or out in the community, rather than in Community Living buildings.
“In our community, we have seen the effects of the dismantling of the Fergus day … program over the past year,” said Harper.
“With the phasing out of programs at the St. Patrick Street site, the clients are now more isolated in the group homes.”
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Signs – Families protested changes to the Fergus Community Living day program for special needs clients outside MPP Ted Arnott’s office on Oct. 20. Photo by Mike Robinson |
Harper said two years ago the Toronto Star published an article on sheltered workshops for intellectually challenged adults. After investigation, the Ministry of Community and Social Services decided those workshops would be closed, Harper said.
“In Fergus, there was the Production Works, which was made up of 20 to 30 intellectually challenged adults who would take apart computers,” she explained.
The workers would disassemble old computers and the materials were sold to recycling companies, with participants earning some income through that, she said.
In Guelph there was ARC Industries, which had a number of small businesses operating under that umbrella.
“The issue was that these people were not being paid minimum wage,” said Harper.
So the ministry decided it could not have people paid differently because of the potential for abuse.
Harper said for her family, the issue was never about earning minimum wage.
“We were glad they were able to go in and have a productive day and be part of the community,” she said.
“Every day from 9am to 5pm, my sister went to the workshop and either worked at the Production Works or was in the day program.”
Other activities included a baking group, where participants were taught how to use an oven and other skills.
Day programming included a trip to the pool to go swimming.
“Now it seems the day program is being shut down and we have a lot of people with nowhere to go during the day,” Harper said.
“The thing that parents are really upset about is, for six months nobody told us that when (my sister) went to the day program each day, the program was not operating and she was taken to a group home to watch television.”
Instead of attending programs at the Community Living building, clients were being told to take part in a class offered to the general community.
“There is no way many of these children, many of whom are disabled are going to be able to go into the community and do that,” said Harper.
She said part of the incentive to move these individuals further into the community was an accusation that they were being segregated.
But she maintains her sister was in the community daily.
In the morning, her sister might take part in the baking program, but in the afternoon she would be at the South Tower Animal Hospital with a worker to volunteer.
“Now they are not allowed to be doing a job which could be paid,” said Harper, who added the Community Living centre is still open, but now rented out to another community group.
Harper said her sister now remarks that she never sees her friends anymore.
Harper said instead of being productive and/or learning skills, a number of local Community Living clients are being sent for a few hours each day to Tim Hortons, to a park or to a group home to watch television.
She stated there are programs listed on the centre’s website which have not existed for the past six months.
Harper said the petition presented to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott on Oct. 20 outlines concerns with the “secrecy” of the dismantling of day programs and it requests an investigation into how/why that has occurred.
“I want to make inquiries with the provincial government at Queen’s Park and seek answers for these families,” Arnott said on Oct. 25.
“I believe the government has an obligation to ensure that day programs and other developmental services are safe, meaningful and beneficial for clients.
“There needs to be open and honest communication with families. If programs are changing, before the transition takes place, new programs must be in place and ready to go.”
In a telephone interview with the Wellington Advertiser, Hanley stressed the day programs in Fergus are not being dismantled.
Hanley stated concerns about the sheltered workshop program dates back to 2015.
She noted there is a provincial, national and international movement to ensure people with disabilities can live, work and play in their communities.
“We certainly espouse to that and have been moving forward with what people would prefer to be doing,” said Hanley.
She noted the first goal is for clients to be in the community, unless they are not comfortable.
She acknowledged there are currently less people in the Community Living building, but that’s because “more people are out volunteering, employed or taking part in community programs. We are starting to do more of that.
“But if people want to stay in the programs – absolutely.”
Hanley said “we’ve been working with the families, the people supported and community partners since 2015.”
She said about every two months an update is sent out and there were individual meetings with every family and those impacted by the sheltered workshops – about 130 individuals and their families.
In addition, Hanley said officials sent out 12 to 14 pieces of correspondence in addition to quarterly family meetings.
“While I recognize change is hard, and it is hard for everyone, for me I feel we’ve been very clear on the transparency. It’s been a priority throughout our process” said Hanley.
“We also have lots of people volunteering in the community with staff support.”
Hanley explained some changes originated in 2015 when there was a flood in the basement of the Fergus building, rendering that part of the centre uninhabitable for months.
As to the rental, Hanley said the organization was approached by another community group because part of the Fergus building was no longer being used.
“We still have the whole upper level and can direct the rent money to programs for people who are coming to the Fergus centre,” said Hanley, noting there are numerous day programs operating at the centre.
Some include horticultural programs, music-based therapy, safety, recreation activities, literacy, financial, and iPad training.
“We’re trying to base them on what their interests are,” she said, adding if there was a program offered in the community, “We would go.”
She noted people who do not fit into regular community programs, can attend Community Living day programs – “and they will continue.”
Hanley added, “I think our staff is doing a lot of great work – getting people out into the community and offering day programs.”
