Advocates hail centre’s closure

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This article was published 01/02/2021 (2047 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The impending closure of the Manitoba Development Centre is “overdue,” according to Inclusion Westman’s leadership.

“Anybody who cares about the rights of individuals living with disabilities should be pleased about this announcement,” executive director Amanda Hamm said.

“I hope that it’s followed up by many more announcements by the government of how they’ll support the successful integration of people into communities.”

The Manitoba Development Centre is a Portage la Prairie-based residential institution for people living with intellectual disabilities.

Last week, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced the 133 people living at the facility will be transitioned into community care as the centre is phased out during the next three years.

Contacted by email after the announcement, a provincial spokesperson said it’s too early to speculate as to where the residents might relocate.

“Decisions about where residents will go will be made in consultation with the residents, their families, loved ones and/or designated decision-makers.”

Hamm, joined by board president Debby Dandy on a conference call with the Sun, said the shift from institutional to community living has been happening for quite some time.

Community living offers those living with intellectual disabilities greater opportunity to do what they want than those living in institutions, including various things most people take for granted, Hamm said, pointing to employment and education as two key areas.

“Years ago … families who had children with an intellectual disability were directed to institutions by doctors because there weren’t resources for them in the community,” Dandy said, adding this has slowly changed over the years as a result of advocacy.

Inclusion Westman is a voluntary non-profit organization charged with “enriching the lives of people who live with an intellectual disability in the Westman region by promoting their full inclusion in the community.”

With limited resources available, it’s unlikely many Manitoba Development Centre residents relocate to Westman unless the government puts more supports in place, Dandy said.

In fact, there aren’t enough resources for the people already here.

“There’s a whole bunch of people sitting in their homes who would like to live more independently, who would like to be in a setting where they’re learning the skills they need to be more independent,” she said, describing existing services as “inadequate.”

Further, Hamm said that while some community-based options for residents exist, such as licensed group homes and purpose-built homes, there’s little support available for those seeking independent living.

“I think it’d be great if there were options for people to live independently if they chose that,” she said, adding the concept of inclusion is wide-reaching and of central importance when it comes to people’s quality of life.

“We want it to be a positive change for people, and we believe it can be and should be, but there are supports needed to make that happen.”

The Portage la Prairie institution employs approximately 370 people, and Squires said all staff who want to stay in government will be accommodated.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB