The Physical
Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) believes that
individuals need the services which allow them
to live as valuable members of their
communities.
The Weemala decision today
sets community inclusion back decades and is
contrary to evidence from the UK, Ireland and
the USA and current practice in NSW. The
evidence shows smaller dispersed community based
residential services allow people with
disabilities a better quality of living, engaged
in their communities whilst providing a high
quality of care and assistance.
Residents of Weemala are
missing an opportunity to participate in their
community on their own terms.
Progress is usually
forwards, not backwards. Evidence of positive
alternatives should not be ignored.
People with disabilities
do not want a return to segregated and isolating
institutional living which cuts them out of
their communities.
People with disabilities
are people. We deserve to be part of the
community. We add value to the community.
According to the Australian Bureau of
Statistics, almost twenty per cent (20%) of the
population has a disability. As the population
ages, people with disability will be a growing
proportion of the community. People with
disabilities need to be part of the community,
and the community needs us.
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