Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) is responding to the significant threat to vulnerable Albertans by the Ministry of Human Services? recent cut to programs.
ACDS supports the goals identified by PDD of increased effectiveness, efficiency and demonstrated relevancy of services to the vulnerable Albertans that we support. We are concerned that the Provincial PDD Budget 2013/14 cuts to be implemented July 1, 2013 will have a profound negative impact on the health, safety and well-being of the individuals and families who currently rely on these services. This budget and the timelines for implementation do not support thoughtful, planned, evidence based transformational change. We are urgently requesting that the Ministry of Human Services restore full funding to the PDD Budget.
It?s alarming that for the sake of 1% of the Human Services budget, thousands of these vulnerable people will be left without supports.
The $42 million cut is to programs that ensure adults with developmental disabilities are able to safely get out into the community. Many of these adults have other disabilities (and often fragile mental and physical health) and these supports ensure essential care such as getting to medical appointments.
ACDS members were disheartened to have the Ministry of Human Services reduce these crucial supports to ?loading people on the bus and taking them to Tim Hortons at 2 pm?. This was an irresponsible and inaccurate representation of the services we provide.
Community Support programs in Alberta allow parents and adult siblings to go to work because there are supports during the day for their disabled sons, daughters, sisters or brothers. These programs support 10,200 vulnerable Albertans and include a broad range of skill development, education, fitness, volunteer work, social interaction and recreation. These are the programs that allow this population to participate in the community like anyone else ? a value outlined in the Ministry of Human Services, recently approved, Social Policy Framework.
Community Access programs are a key component of the PDD program of supports by providing safe, inclusive opportunities for people to be active participants in their community. If these programs are cut, the individuals we serve will slip back into the shadows, living lives of isolation and segregation.
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