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Introduction |
Timeline/Funding | Implementation Plan
Introduction
The main goal of many government programs is meaningful participation in the community. Participation includes affordable accessible housing, accessible community design, caregiver relationships, disability supports, leisure opportunities, volunteering opportunities, access to assistive devices, and access to public transportation.
Many older people with disabilities however, are still socially isolated
due to issues with accessibility, lack of financial resources, lack
of transportation and disability supports, inadequate community policies
to accommodate their needs, gender specific issues and negative societal
attitudes.
A key issue in this dialogue is the issue of eligibility for services
and supports in terms of age and ability to work. Another important issue
in terms of eligibility is the move from a state of independence (or
interdependence) to a state of a higher level of dependence and an increasing
need for disability supports and services. For people with disabilities
who have had control over their lives and their caregivers, reaching
the age of 65 or 70 places them into a different care support model.
One of the main issues is comparing and translating the independent
living/community living models to current seniors’ models of service
delivery. Very little attention has been paid to people with long-term
disabilities who are aging, including those who live longer due to better
medical care, nutrition, societal changes and community care.
Aging and Disability has become an international concern. It is known
that neither seniors groups and services nor disability groups and services
have adequately captured the needs of this group. As persons with disabilities age, they enter a different system (seniors system) of healthcare, disability support, community services and support and income support. They also face challenges with caregiver supports (including aging informal caregivers) and issues of inclusivity and livability of the community. Little is known about how current mechanisms meet the needs and transitions of this growing population, many of whom are used to an independent living model of supports.
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Timeline/Funding
Timeline: March
15, 2007 to March 31, 2008
Funding: Office
for Disability Issues, Social
Development Partnerships Program Disability Component (SDPP-D)
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Implementation Plan
This strategic investment pilot project will provide an opportunity to widen and build upon our understanding of existing needs (population, organizations and systemic), models of services delivery, policies and determine what the gaps are, and expand our knowledge of inclusive communities. This project will significantly contribute towards future planning in transitional issues of disability supports, income and caregivers for persons who are aging with a disability, with some potential recommendations for seniors who are aging into disability.
Information will be collected and disseminated through:
- An environmental scan of programs and services that meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities
- An annotated bibliography of policy documents and reports in the senior and disability sectors analyzing gaps, best practices and recommendations
- Interviews and roundtable discussions in three target provinces with consumers and service providers
- Development of a cross country dialogue and active network of key stakeholders
- Informational website and on-line survey
- Development of recommendations for good practice models
- National conference on Aging with Disabilities in March 2008
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