"It was a pleasure to take part in a meaningful process to look at how we help to support the safety of people with developmental disabilities who are receiving services to live full, inclusive and dignified lives in their communities. On behalf of the Alberta Council of Disability Services, I appreciate the collaborative approach the government has taken during this consultation. It set an example for future consultations, and government's on- going relationship with the disability community." - Ann Nicol, Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Council of Disability Services

A thank you to the Consultation Team for their work over the past year. And using the contact information below, please join me in thanking Human Services Minister the Hon. Irfan Sabir, for hearing the concerns of the PDD community, launching this consultation, repealing the PDD Standards Regulation, and extending the mandate of the Consultation Team to prepare a report that expresses so many of the issues and concerns voiced to them since the start of the year.

Contact information for the Minister:
Twitter: @IrfanSabirMLA
Email: hs.ministeris@gov.ab.ca 
Facebook: MLAIrfanSabir

The final report
Plain-language version
Comments from the Consultation Team
Consultation Team website

Discuss the report in the ACDS Community of Practice
Tweeting about the report? Use the hashtag #PDDconsult

PDD Program
1. Undertake a review of the PDD program to foster safer lives in the community for individuals with developmental disabilities.

2. Develop a means of open, meaningful communication between the PDD program and the disability community that will build trust and support positive interactions.

Staff Training & Education
3. Government of Alberta work with community partners to create and implement a human resources plan for Community Disability Services to better ensure safety and meaningful inclusion. This plan should incorporate the following requirements:

A. Require training and post-secondary educational standards to bring more qualified workers into the field and ensure consistency among staff qualifications.

B. Require staff working with persons with developmental disabilities to be professionally certified.

Accreditation Standards for Agencies
4. Strengthen accreditation standards for agencies that provide PDD-funded services in the areas of health and safety to reflect the critical individualized safety requirements in the homes of people with developmental disabilities.

Safety Codes Act Interpretation
5. Municipal Affairs withdraw the August 2015 STANDATA.

6. Government of Alberta provide guidance to municipalities on how to interpret and apply the safety codes using the following principles:

A. Residences occupied by individuals with developmental disabilities who rent, lease or own are not "PDD residences" or facilities.

B. The starting point for safety code assessment of homes for individuals receiving support from PDD should be that they are residential dwellings, in the same manner as any other home.

C. The source of financial or service support being received by a person living in a home is not relevant to how the building codes are interpreted and applied to that home. That is, homes of people receiving support through PDD should be treated no differently from the homes of people not receiving publicly funded support, or receiving it from another source. Any change of use or alternative classification under the Safety Codes Act (including building and fire codes) should be assessed as it would be for any Albertan living in similar circumstances.

D. Measures required under the Safety Codes Act should be affordable, enforceable and meaningful so that compliance can be achieved within the circumstances where people live.

7. Government of Alberta request that Municipal Affairs staff and municipal inspectors be offered education from Inclusion Alberta, Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) and individuals with developmental disabilities in understanding the homes and residences of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Emergency Voluntary Self-Registry
8. Government of Alberta encourage municipalities to investigate a voluntary database for First Responders containing emergency contact information and the needs of individuals requiring particular attention in an emergency.

Advocacy
9. Provide additional supports to strengthen independent self-advocacy and family advocacy efforts and organizations.

10. Investigate the creation of an independent Disability Advocate Office.

Health and Safety Officials as Educators
11. Health and safety officials continue to provide information on a voluntary basis to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and service providers on how to life safely in their homes and communities.

The Alberta Council of Disability Services, along with our friends at the Alberta Disability Workers Association are in the process of developing a mobile application for staff safety resources.

We are looking for realistic scenarios faced by disability workers where a mobile app of safety resources would be of assistance while working out in the community.

As a reward for taking the time to send a submission to the App Development Committee, we'll be awarding five $50 Amazon gift cards, just in time for the holidays.

Submissions should be short, one paragraph at most, and emailed to doreen@acds.ca. Please let your staff know about this opportunity. 

The deadline for submissions is November 16th. 

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