Signatures climb to 6,714 in support of deinstitutionalization
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A nationwide effort to collect 10,000 signatures in support of deinstitutionalization is climbing with 6,714 people having added their names to a petition.
Canadians who believe people who have an intellectual disability should live in the community and not in institutions are encouraged to sign the Declaration of Support for Community Living. The document calls for the country's remaining institutions to be closed.
Ontario successfully closed its large remaining institutions in March. Community living advocates in this province are now exploring ways to support deinstitutionalization efforts across the country. This is one way Ontarians can get involved.
"We're trying nationally to get 10,000 signatures," Rick Tutt, chair of Community Living Ontario's deinstitutionalization working group, earlier told Leaders.
"To make this declaration a success it is estimated that we will need a minimum of 10,000 names, so that provincial, territorial associations and People First groups from across Canada can take the declaration to their respective governments in the quest to close all institutions."
View the declaration and petition on the Institution Watch website.
Launched in August 2007, the Institution Watch website is an initiative of a joint task force created by the Canadian Association of Community Living (CACL) and People First of Canada designed to bring deinstitutionalization back to the national agenda and develop a plan to make the issue a national priority.
"Many provinces are teetering on the verge of abandoning plans to maintain or expand these archaic forms of housing and are ready to move on to community alternatives," Tutt said. "They need every encouragement that we can offer."
Marking the The End of an Era: Community Living Peterborough Reflects
March 2009, Community Living Peterborough hosted local commemorative events to mark the final closures of Ontario institutions for people with intellectual disabilities:
From left: Director of Operations and Core Services Chris Grayson of Community Living Peterborough (CLP), Tara Robson, who recieves supports from CLP and local musician Steve Lynch reflect during a candlelight remembrance ceremony April2nd, at Fleming College to mark the final closures of Ontario's institutions for people with intellectual disabilities.
CLP presented a plaque to Peterborough's MPP , Jeff Leal in recognition of the decision and commitment of successive Ontario governments to close institutions and support community living alternatives for people who have an intellectual disability. From left: Linda McHattie - Member of People First Peterborough, Jeff Leal - Peterborough MPP, Peter Bascan - President of People First Peterborough, Chris Grayson Director of Operations and Core Services of CLP
