Budget Funding And Transformation Plan Mean Better Supports, Greater Independence For Thousands Of Ontarians

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is making record investments to help families, strengthen community agencies and increase community-based supports for adults with a developmental disability, Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur announced today.

“We’re on the side of Ontarians with developmental disabilities and their families,” said Meilleur.  “That’s why we’re building an Ontario where people with a developmental disability can live as independently as possible in their own communities, close to family and friends.” 

In 2006, the government has earmarked almost $84 million to expand residential and community services, help agencies with operating costs, increase supports to families caring for family members at home and expand community supports for young people with a developmental disability who are leaving school.   This new funding is the single largest one-year investment in developmental services in Ontario, and brings the government’s four-year commitment to a record $276 million.

This is one of the many ways the McGuinty government is helping Ontarians with disabilities.  Since 2003, the government has also:

• Passed the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act
• Improved employment supports for people who rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program
• Created the first-ever Community Networks of Specialized Care for adults with a developmental disability who also have mental health issues or challenging behaviours.

“The government continues to show that it is serious about improving supports for people with a developmental disability,” said George Braithwaite, President of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs.  “Individuals will be able to live more independently and will have more opportunities to participate in their communities.”

Meilleur also released a consultation paper that gives the public an opportunity to provide input on a plan for the future of supports for individuals with a developmental disability.  Opportunities and Action:  Transforming Supports in Ontario for People Who Have a Developmental Disability proposes changes that will make it easier for families to get services, bring increased fairness and consistency to the way supports are delivered, and give clients greater choice and flexibility in choosing the supports they receive.

“We are at a turning point in the way we support people with a developmental disability.  While we continue to invest in community services today, we need to make sure we are building fair, accessible and sustainable supports for the future,” said Meilleur.  “Working together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive Ontario for us all.”