Centre for Independent Living In Toronto Planning Day Sandra Carpenter, Executive Director

Centre for Independent Living Centre for Independent Living In TorontoIn Toronto

Planning DayPlanning Day

Sandra Carpenter, Executive Sandra Carpenter, Executive Director Director

What is Independent Living ?What is Independent Living ?

Independent Living can be defined as:Independent Living can be defined as:

- An attitude- An attitude

- A set of organizational principles- A set of organizational principles

- A set of program methods and resources- A set of program methods and resources

Early Guiding Principles of Early Guiding Principles of Independent LivingIndependent Living

Those who know best the needs of disabled people Those who know best the needs of disabled people and how to meet those needs are the disabled and how to meet those needs are the disabled people themselvespeople themselves

The needs can be met most effectively by programs The needs can be met most effectively by programs which provide a variety of services, rather than which provide a variety of services, rather than having to go to several different agencies for having to go to several different agencies for servicesservices

Disabled people should be as integrated as possible Disabled people should be as integrated as possible into the communityinto the community

Looking Back…Looking Back…

A Brief History of I.L.A Brief History of I.L. 1962 – Ed Roberts living 1962 – Ed Roberts living

with post-polio respiratory with post-polio respiratory issues, quadriplegia and issues, quadriplegia and using an iron lung at using an iron lung at night, enters the Univ. of night, enters the Univ. of Calif. Berkeley, in the Calif. Berkeley, in the Cowell Students’ hospitalCowell Students’ hospital

1969 – Twelve “severely 1969 – Twelve “severely disabled” students in disabled” students in wheelchairs isolated in wheelchairs isolated in the Cowell Residence the Cowell Residence ($ from Calif. Dept. ($ from Calif. Dept. rehab)rehab)

Brief History of I.L.Brief History of I.L.

1969-70 Four block section of Berkely’s main 1969-70 Four block section of Berkely’s main shopping area south of campus made shopping area south of campus made accessible with ramps at urging of Cowell accessible with ramps at urging of Cowell ResidentsResidents

1969 – Time of civil and women’s rights, 1969 – Time of civil and women’s rights, students protest. Critical mass of people were students protest. Critical mass of people were formedformed

1969-72 Autumn – I.L. philosophy was 1969-72 Autumn – I.L. philosophy was developed. First Independent Living centre developed. First Independent Living centre established in Berkeleyestablished in Berkeley

Berkeley Berkeley Independent Living CentreIndependent Living Centre

""Helpless cripple attends Helpless cripple attends classes at UCclasses at UC," proclaimed a ," proclaimed a headline in the headline in the Berkeley Berkeley GazetteGazette in 1963. Time was to in 1963. Time was to prove the irony of the title, and prove the irony of the title, and the article became a treasure the article became a treasure in one of the Bancroft Library's in one of the Bancroft Library's newest collections. newest collections.

PHOTO: Don Galloway, PHOTO: Don Galloway, manager of blind services, and manager of blind services, and Ed Roberts, executive director Ed Roberts, executive director of the fledgling Center for of the fledgling Center for Independent Living, in 1974 on Independent Living, in 1974 on the Berkeley campus.the Berkeley campus.

History of CILTHistory of CILT No accessible transitNo accessible transit No curb cutsNo curb cuts No community servicesNo community services Low employment prospectsLow employment prospects Some support for educationSome support for education No attendant services in the No attendant services in the

community community

Children at Bloorview HospitalChildren at Bloorview Hospital

No acceptable destinationNo acceptable destination Medical model of serviceMedical model of service Alternatives were desperately neededAlternatives were desperately needed

Parent Work GroupParent Work Group

Families of disabled children and others Families of disabled children and others lobbied government for support for an lobbied government for support for an alternativealternative

Invited teenage residents to the tableInvited teenage residents to the table They outlined their vision of care/help and They outlined their vision of care/help and

housing for adults with disabilitieshousing for adults with disabilities

The DreamThe Dream

Self-determination, autonomy Self-determination, autonomy Decide what to do, what to wear, what to Decide what to do, what to wear, what to

eateat Apartments in a regular high-riseApartments in a regular high-rise

Come and go as you pleaseCome and go as you please Staff appeared when neededStaff appeared when needed

otherwise out of the apartmentotherwise out of the apartment Could be friends if desiredCould be friends if desired

Government to pay costs of staffingGovernment to pay costs of staffing Person with a disability pays ordinary Person with a disability pays ordinary

costs of rent, food, recreation, costs of rent, food, recreation, transportation, phone etc.transportation, phone etc.

ResponseResponse Parents were initially disappointed at our “ideal” Parents were initially disappointed at our “ideal”

and “unrealistic” proposaland “unrealistic” proposal Government bureaucrats like David Pitt heard Government bureaucrats like David Pitt heard

the messagethe message Policy staff at MCSS work behind the scenesPolicy staff at MCSS work behind the scenes

Creativity Creativity OptionsOptions

Alternatives…Alternatives…

Group Home Model option beganGroup Home Model option began Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, Group Captain Leonard Cheshire,

EnglandEngland BUT Fire Marshall vetoed people BUT Fire Marshall vetoed people

living there unless they could exit living there unless they could exit independently in case of fireindependently in case of fire

So 98% of Bloorview’s residents were So 98% of Bloorview’s residents were not eligible for any Cheshire Homenot eligible for any Cheshire Home

Cheshire: The Biography of Leonard Cheshire Vc, Om

Pilot ProjectsPilot Projects

Government funded 4 pilot projects around Ontario in Government funded 4 pilot projects around Ontario in 1975 for a 3 year-trial – HAGI in Thunder Bay, ALPHA in 1975 for a 3 year-trial – HAGI in Thunder Bay, ALPHA in Windsor, Ottawa Rehab Institute and Clarendon Windsor, Ottawa Rehab Institute and Clarendon Foundation for TorontoFoundation for Toronto

Ironically, policies closely reflected the Thompson-Carpenter Ironically, policies closely reflected the Thompson-Carpenter visionvision

ClarendonClarendon 9 adults on one floor (converted office space)9 adults on one floor (converted office space) 4 apartments (shared living), plus 1 bachelor apt.4 apartments (shared living), plus 1 bachelor apt. Non-medical attendants available from 6 am to 11 pm onlyNon-medical attendants available from 6 am to 11 pm only Huge emphasis on demonstrating how cheap it was compared Huge emphasis on demonstrating how cheap it was compared

to nursing homesto nursing homes

Alternatives…Alternatives… Judith Snow, through tenacity and an Judith Snow, through tenacity and an

alliance with MCSS Deputy Art alliance with MCSS Deputy Art Daniels, got attendant services Daniels, got attendant services privately funded through an Order-in-privately funded through an Order-in-Council so she could:Council so she could:

Live in the community andLive in the community and Hire her own attendantsHire her own attendants

See “From Behind the Piano” See “From Behind the Piano” available from Inclusion Press available from Inclusion Press http://www.inclusion.com/bkfrombehinhttp://www.inclusion.com/bkfrombehindthepiano.htmldthepiano.html Although not intended to set a precedent, requests for Although not intended to set a precedent, requests for Orders-in-Council increased exponentially!Orders-in-Council increased exponentially!

Brief History of I.L.Brief History of I.L.

1980-82 Gerben Dejong 1980-82 Gerben Dejong speaks in Canada – speaks in Canada – First Canadian I.L.C. First Canadian I.L.C. establishedestablished

Goals of Independent Living in Goals of Independent Living in CanadaCanada

To promote and enable the To promote and enable the

progressive process of progressive process of

citizens with disabilities citizens with disabilities

taking responsibility for the taking responsibility for the

development and development and

management of personal management of personal

and community resourcesand community resources

Current Guiding Principles ofCurrent Guiding Principles ofIndependent Living in CanadaIndependent Living in Canada

At an individual level, Independent Living is the right to:At an individual level, Independent Living is the right to: Examine choicesExamine choices Make decisions Make decisions Take risks Take risks Make mistakesMake mistakes Take responsibility for one’s own lifeTake responsibility for one’s own life

Current Guiding Principles ofCurrent Guiding Principles ofIndependent Living in CanadaIndependent Living in Canada

At an organizational level, Independent Living At an organizational level, Independent Living means:means: Consumer-controlledConsumer-controlled Community-based (grass roots)Community-based (grass roots) Cross-disability focusCross-disability focus Promotion of integration and participationPromotion of integration and participation

(housing, employment, education)(housing, employment, education)

Core ProgramsCore Programs

Information referralInformation referral

IL Skills TrainingIL Skills Training

Peer Support Peer Support

Research and Research and Demonstration Demonstration CapacityCapacity

ScopeScope

There are 12 ILRC’s in OntarioThere are 12 ILRC’s in Ontario There are 28 ILRC’s in CanadaThere are 28 ILRC’s in Canada

All have the core programs but because of All have the core programs but because of the research and demonstration capacity the research and demonstration capacity can be quite different from each othercan be quite different from each other

Centre for Independent Living In Centre for Independent Living In Toronto (CILT)Toronto (CILT)

HistoryHistory

History of CILTHistory of CILT

1982-851982-85 Formation and Incorporation; Formation and Incorporation; COTA was original trustee;COTA was original trustee; Office established; Office established; Needs survey designed; Needs survey designed; Participatory action based research conducted; Participatory action based research conducted; Results analysed; Results analysed; and service begins.and service begins.

History of CILT cont.History of CILT cont.

1987-891987-89 Projects begin: “Radio Connection”, Projects begin: “Radio Connection”,

“Access Connections”.“Access Connections”.

19901990 Woodeden Consumer Conference; Woodeden Consumer Conference;

Literacy Link Survey and Attendant Literacy Link Survey and Attendant Services Directory published; “Disability Services Directory published; “Disability Network” (CBC co-production) begins.Network” (CBC co-production) begins.


19911991 Health and Welfare (Canada) funding cutbacks Health and Welfare (Canada) funding cutbacks

begin; MCSS funds Independent Living Skills begin; MCSS funds Independent Living Skills Program; CILT newsletter upgraded.Program; CILT newsletter upgraded.

19921992 I.L. and Participation in Research and The I.L. and Participation in Research and The

Literacy Book published; Youth Connection Literacy Book published; Youth Connection begins.begins.

DF development phase beginsDF development phase begins


19931993 Directory of Accessible Restaurants Directory of Accessible Restaurants

developed; new 24 Hour Newsline established; developed; new 24 Hour Newsline established;

1994-51994-5 DF Pilot BeginsDF Pilot Begins United Way Membership Granted; award United Way Membership Granted; award

winning Abuse Prevention Video and Youthwinning Abuse Prevention Video and Youth and Disability Abuse Prevention project and Disability Abuse Prevention project completed.completed.


19961996 CILT agrees to run the Project CILT agrees to run the Project

Information Centre (PIC) for MOH; CILT Information Centre (PIC) for MOH; CILT by-laws updated.by-laws updated.

19971997 DF Pilot evaluation from Roeher Institute; DF Pilot evaluation from Roeher Institute;

4th Edition of Attendant Service Directory 4th Edition of Attendant Service Directory and Annotated Abuse/Prevention and Annotated Abuse/Prevention Bibliography published.Bibliography published.


19981998 DF gets full program status approved by MOH; DF gets full program status approved by MOH;

program expended to 700 over 3 years.program expended to 700 over 3 years. CILT UW project funding to expand the CILT UW project funding to expand the

Parenting with a Disability Network publish a Parenting with a Disability Network publish a resource Directory for Parents with a Disability.resource Directory for Parents with a Disability.

19991999 The Parenting Book for Persons with a The Parenting Book for Persons with a

Disability published; Disability published;


20002000 Employment project (HRDC funded) Employment project (HRDC funded)

Navigating the Waters launched; UW Navigating the Waters launched; UW funding received to develop operational funding received to develop operational model for Nurturing Assistance.model for Nurturing Assistance.

20012001 Nurturing Assistance Guide Published; Nurturing Assistance Guide Published;

new statistics system introduced. new statistics system introduced.


2002 2002 New website launched, New website launched, 2003 2003 New library software acquired and system implemented;New library software acquired and system implemented; 2004 2004 Anti-racism implementation plan developed; Anti-racism implementation plan developed; 2005 2005 Nurturing Assistance Guide published; Nurturing Assistance Guide published; 2006 2006 New data base system implemented;New data base system implemented;


2007 2007 Gateway to Cancer Screening Project begins, Gateway to Cancer Screening Project begins,

Human Right Monitoring Project begins.Human Right Monitoring Project begins.

20082008 Safe Engaged Environment Disability begins, Safe Engaged Environment Disability begins,

new office location.new office location.

20092009 Partnership with A2E; 25Partnership with A2E; 25thth Anniversary, Rebel Anniversary, Rebel

WallWall


2010 ?2010 ?

Current ContextCurrent Context

MISSIONMISSION

““To promote and enable the progressive To promote and enable the progressive process of citizens with disabilities taking process of citizens with disabilities taking the responsibility for the development and the responsibility for the development and management of their own personal and management of their own personal and community resources.”community resources.”

For people with disabilities by people with For people with disabilities by people with disabilitiesdisabilities

MandateMandate CILTCILT is a consumer-controlled, community-based is a consumer-controlled, community-based

resource organization. We help people with disabilities to resource organization. We help people with disabilities to learn Independent Living skills and integrate into the learn Independent Living skills and integrate into the community. community. CILT CILT operates on the philosophy of the Independent operates on the philosophy of the Independent Living movement which was developed in response to Living movement which was developed in response to traditional rehabilitation services models. CILT's aim is to traditional rehabilitation services models. CILT's aim is to develop and implement dignified social services that develop and implement dignified social services that empower individuals rather than create dependencies. empower individuals rather than create dependencies. We encourage people with disabilities to take control of We encourage people with disabilities to take control of their own lives by exercising their right to examine their own lives by exercising their right to examine options, make choices, take risks and even make options, make choices, take risks and even make mistakes. mistakes.

CILT PROGRAMSCILT PROGRAMS

Information and referral/networkingInformation and referral/networking Peer Support including volunteer Peer Support including volunteer

coordination and Parenting with a coordination and Parenting with a Disability NetworkDisability Network

Independent Living Skills TrainingIndependent Living Skills Training Service Development Capacity*Service Development Capacity*

PIC, DF, SASF, PDNPIC, DF, SASF, PDN Transfer Payment ProjectsTransfer Payment Projects

• CCIM, PSW Training FundCCIM, PSW Training Fund

CILT PARTNERSCILT PARTNERS

Citizens with Disabilties – OntarioCitizens with Disabilties – Ontario Ethno-racial Coalition for People with Ethno-racial Coalition for People with

Disabilities OntarioDisabilities Ontario Disability Rights Promotion InternationalDisability Rights Promotion International Abilities FoundationAbilities Foundation Independent Living CanadaIndependent Living Canada Ontario Network of Independent Living Ontario Network of Independent Living

CentresCentres

CILT Partners cont.CILT Partners cont.

Canadian Association of Muslims with Canadian Association of Muslims with DisabilitiesDisabilities

Access to EntertainmentAccess to Entertainment

CommitteesCommittees

Sexuality and AccessSexuality and Access Abuse PreventionAbuse Prevention International Day of Persons with International Day of Persons with

DisabilitiesDisabilities Provincial Liaison Committee for Persons Provincial Liaison Committee for Persons

with Physical Disabilitieswith Physical Disabilities

NetworksNetworks

Safe Engaged Environments – Safe Engaged Environments – DisabilityDisability

Gateways to Cancer Screening Gateways to Cancer Screening ProjectProject

Toronto Central LHIN Attendant Toronto Central LHIN Attendant Service NetworkService Network

CILT InitiativesCILT Initiatives

Town Hall in partnership with Scadding Town Hall in partnership with Scadding Court planned for the Fall of 2010Court planned for the Fall of 2010

People in Motion (annual event – this Year People in Motion (annual event – this Year we are sharing a booth with ERDCO and we are sharing a booth with ERDCO and CAMD)CAMD)

Joint Picnic (annual event with ERDCO, Joint Picnic (annual event with ERDCO, CSASIL)CSASIL)

RDSP workshops (ILC leadership)RDSP workshops (ILC leadership)

PIC BackgroundPIC Background Central clearinghouse for all applicants for Central clearinghouse for all applicants for

attendant services in Toronto both Outreach attendant services in Toronto both Outreach Attendant Services and Supportive HousingAttendant Services and Supportive Housing

Currently there are around 657 “active Currently there are around 657 “active applicants”applicants”

Of these we est. ¼ at some stage in processOf these we est. ¼ at some stage in process The rest are waiting for Supportive Housing The rest are waiting for Supportive Housing

UnitsUnits

In OntarioIn Ontario

CILT coordinates CILT coordinates the Direct the Direct Funding ProgramFunding Program

CILT Coordinates CILT Coordinates the Student the Student Attendant Service Attendant Service FundFund

Direct Funding Direct Funding

CILT coordinates all applicants to programCILT coordinates all applicants to program participants/self-managers manage their own participants/self-managers manage their own

attendant services & undertake all employer attendant services & undertake all employer responsibilities/functionsresponsibilities/functions

CILT sends funds monthly allotments to program CILT sends funds monthly allotments to program participants under contractparticipants under contract

Clients report expenditures quarterly to CILT or Clients report expenditures quarterly to CILT or through 3 satellite officesthrough 3 satellite offices

Currently “active applicants” number about 300Currently “active applicants” number about 300

What Is the Student Attendant What Is the Student Attendant Services Fund (SASF)?Services Fund (SASF)?

A Contingency FundA Contingency Fund

For students anywhere in Ontario who need attendant For students anywhere in Ontario who need attendant services to participate in post high school education or services to participate in post high school education or training programstraining programs

Attendant services are physical assistance with activities Attendant services are physical assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, washing, of daily living such as dressing, bathing, washing, toileting, transferring, and assistance with eatingtoileting, transferring, and assistance with eating

Coordinated through Project Information CentreCoordinated through Project Information Centre

Looking Forward…Looking Forward…

No Barriers; No Limits!No Barriers; No Limits!

Documents

Centre for Independent Living In Toronto Planning Day Sandra Carpenter, Executive Director