Transitioning individuals from large institutions is a step forward in the care standards provided for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Already, countries such as the U.K., the U.S. and Australia have committed to community living for this population. Additionally, British Columbia has long been serving individuals with intellectual disabilities in a community setting, dating back to the mid-1990s when residents were moved to group homes.
CLICK HERE to read the summary report written by: Dr. Beverley Temple, Celeste Waldman and Sneha Abraham.
CLICK HERE to read the full report written by: Dr. Beverley Temple, Celeste Waldman and Sneha Abraham.
The following are resources that can help individuals with IDs transition to a community setting:
- Transition Checklist from BC
https://findsupportbc.com/timeline/checklist.php?age=8-25
- Community Respite Service (CRS) provides parents and caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or physical disabilities the opportunity to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities.
https://www.communityrespiteservice.ca/wp/about-us/
- Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD) offers programs such as case management, vocational assessment, work experience, computer training, accessing financial support and life skills programming for individuals with disabilities.
https://www.smd.mb.ca/smd-services/adult-services/life-skills-programming-for-adults
- Homecare provides support to individuals who are registered with Manitoba Health and require health services or assistance with activities of daily living, require service to remain safely in their homes and require more assistance than available from existing supports and community resources.
https://www.wrha.mb.ca/community/homecare/
- This resource provides information about employment programs and services for individuals with disabilities in Manitoba.
www.manitoba.ca/ctt/pdfs/disabilities_guide.pdf
- Community Living disABILITY Services of the Manitoba Family Services provides day, vocational and employment services for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba. These services are either provided on an individualized basis or in small group settings. The services include supports in areas such as:
- Job development and employment supports including job coaching and follow-up
- Developing work skills, decision making, problem solving, social and life skills
https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/dsw/types.html
https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/pwd/supported_living.html
To apply for these services, speak to a representative at a service location:
Rural and Northern Service Locations
- This plain language booklet from Inclusion BC provides tips in finding a job and keeping it for individuals with developmental disabilities.
https://www.inclusionbc.org/sites/default/files/Web_Finding_Job_Keeping_It_0.pdf
- The Canadian Association for Community Living’s Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) initiative is designed to increase labour force participation of people with developmental disabilities, and thereby advancing their economic productivity and social inclusion in Canada.
https://readywillingable.ca/about/
https://readywillingable.ca/about/how-does-it-work/rwa-program-model/
The following describes Manitoba specific programs by the RWA initiative:
https://readywillingable.ca/communities-in-action/manitoba/
- Health Check-Ups and Preventative Health
The following resources from the Surrey Place Centre in Ontario and the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability provides information about different health conditions, what to expect when going to a doctor and preventative comprehensive for individuals with intellectual disabilities:
https://surreyplace.on.ca/resources-publications?id=128
https://stamant.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CHAP-brochure-final1.pdf