Australia — NCOSS believes that people with disabilities should be supported in the same living situations as other non-disabled people of similar ages. Consequently disability institutions and large residences should become a thing of the past. NCOSS congratulates the Weemala Board for using the redevelopment as an opportunity to improve services to the people with disabilities there. “The needs of the people with disabilities at Weemala must be the first and primary concern for families, the Weemala Board and the Government” said Linda Frow, Acting Director of NCOSS today. “The needs of each person must be properly addressed and the concerns of the families taken into account.” “The people now living at Weemala must be provided with appropriate services, including ongoing intensive supports, medical treatment, dignified activity and social interactions. This includes connections to friends, opportunities to grow and interact, and the capacity to form valued relationships with others.” “With these guarantees in place, a move to community living for the Weemala residents will offer new opportunities, more person-centred supports and the possibility of better services.” “Clear and consistent evidence shows that institutional and congregate or large group living generally provides unacceptably poor outcomes for people with disabilities whereas community living tailored to the individual ensures significantly better outcomes, even for people with high medical needs. Other large residences have successfully converted to small dispersed supported housing in recent years.” “Given the appropriate guarantees, families will be more confident to choose a better, more individualised and brighter future for their family members with disability in community living situations” said Ms Frow. Press release: NCOSS Linda Frow, Acting Director, NCOSS mob: 0427 951 355 ###