Author: a4aontario

Canada Must Develop Humane Housing for Developmentally Disabled People: A4A’s Statement to Government of Canada Housing Consultation

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woman in white shirt with medium-length black hair, smiling and holding a set of apartment keys & giving a thumbs-up sign.Recently, the Government of Canada called for disability groups to submit statements/ideas on housing in Canada. The Government then issued a full report on the many statements by disability groups from across Canada. (Read the Govt’s full report here.)

Autistics for Autistics submitted a statement (below) on the abysmal state of housing for developmentally disabled people—and the simple solutions that can bring long-awaited relief to individuals and families. (You can also read our statement here.)

We hope you will share our statement & link with your member of Parliament.

Let’s hope that the Government of Canada reads, and acts on, the many important statements from disability groups. (If they don’t, was it truly a consultation at all?) We will update this blog and our socials—hopefully—about future meetings and consults on this.

Our statement

To the Government of Canada:
Autistic, non-speaking and developmentally disabled Canadians have been almost entirely excluded from accessible housing strategies nationally, provincially and municipally. 85% of new federally funded housing projects in our sector are segregated group homes, where autistic and intellectually disabled people are kept apart from the rest of the community and where their movements are controlled in a quasi-prison-like environment, kept in their rooms many hours of the day, only let out of their homes for sanctioned group activities they do not choose, and not allowed basic choices such as what they’d like to eat for a meal, or what time of day they would like to have their meals.

Having friends over, or having relationships, is often impossible in these settings, and in some cases, developmentally disabled people are even being shunted away in seniors’ long term care homes.

Group homes for the developmentally disabled in Canada are not regulated or monitored in any
standard way; as a result, many homes (which are typically run by private companies) employ care workers that are unqualified, with many high-profile reports of people with violent criminal records being employed by group homes and subsequently assaulting residents, including sexual assault, leaving some with permanent injuries and extensive trauma.

This federal and provincial approach is not being pursued in the best interests of developmentally disabled and autistic people, nor with any concern for their human rights, but rather because it is simply more convenient for the government to warehouse them this way, than to use creative new approaches as our neighbours in the United States do.

It is a national scandal that Canada, a wealthy nation, continues to treat this vulnerable population in a manner akin to the era of large residential institutions, merely replacing the large institutions with smaller versions that embody the same mentality, without regard for autistic and developmentally disabled people’s thoughts, feelings, preferences, happiness, quality of life and God-given, Charter-guaranteed right to basic autonomy and safety.

While people with other disabilities can live independently with supports, and choose their care workers, make choices, there are almost no [Canadian] programs in which our community can. In the United States and other similar Western countries there are many federal and state innovations that demonstrate how autistic and developmentally disabled people can live with supports in smaller settings, with a roommate and support workers, to varying degrees as needed.

These model programs give dignity, safety and quality of life to the residents, who are capable to make basic decisions and should have the right to do so (for example, who to socialize with, when to eat, when to go to bed). The ideal of “just enough support” means determining how much support each person needs, rather than imposing control over them in a punitive environment that is prone to abuse and dehumanization.

In Canada, groups like LiveWorkPlay have adopted these new models in an exemplary way, but they are not properly funded by our government and remain the exception, rather than the norm.

The solution is simple.

  1. The federal government can no longer entrust provinces and territories to adequately create, manage and oversee housing for the developmentally disabled and autistic people. All provinces and territories have failed at this for decades. Thus, federal oversight, as well as incentivizing programs for new models, are ESSENTIAL.
  2. The federal government, as well as provincial/municipal governments, should meet directly with Autistics for Autistics, Community Living, LiveWorkPlay and other advocacy organizations not merely to hear our “lived experience” but to hear our IDEAS for best practices based on experience.
  3. The government should research best practices in the UK and the US, and develop pilot programs, and be proud of these programs as a part of a humane country that cares for all its citizens.
  4. The federal government should disabuse itself of the idea that land developers and private care companies have the “right idea” for group homes, because in reality their segregated projects have been an abysmal failure. Start fostering new relationships and think outside the box.

    It’s not too late to end the national shame of Canadian group homes, and bring dignity to developmentally disabled/autistic/non-speaking Canadians and our families. It merely involves the federal government taking an active role and–importantly–refusing to continue to kick the can over to the provinces, who have failed us!

Thank you and we hope you will be in touch to discuss this more.

Autistics for Autistics-Canada

 

Autistics for Autistics opposes expanding Medical Assistance in Dying to include mental conditions

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A4A recently signed onto a public letter stating we do not support proposed changes to Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) legislation that would allow mental conditions as an acceptable reason for doctor-induced death.

The letter, which will be presented to Canada’s Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD), was initiated by Inclusion Canada and signed by countless disability organizations. The government committee will be debating the proposed change in its sessions.

Currently, Canada’s MAID program is not allowed when mental conditions (such as autism or mental illness) are the sole underlying medical condition. It is only allowed to be chosen by people with other medical conditions, such as cancer or Parkinson’s who may also have a mental condition.

Expanding MAID to include autism and mental illness violates ethics and devalues our lives. It promotes the idea that some people are expendable burdens and that the state should be tasked with killing them.

People who face family pressures can be pushed into the program, especially as they age.

Further, the idea that we are expendable translates into the broader medical community’s approach, leading to a level of dehumanization that compromises our care and threatens our physical safety in medical settings.

We would add that overall, the ethics of MAID in Canada are not being properly assessed by any measure. Like many Canadians we are urging a more stringent process–not an expansion. The way our government regulates MAID is a reflection on the values of our country about the purpose of Canadian health care itself.

To learn more about efforts around the ethics of MAID, please visit the Inclusion Ontario website, which will also be posting the letter, signed by disability organizations across Canada.

Watch: A4A Rep Debunks Fake Autism Treatments on TVO’s Big If True & Investigative Journalism Foundation

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A4A co-founder Anne Borden King recently spoke with TVO’s Big If True science program about the problem of autism pseudoscience. Also interviewed: Autism pseudoscience expert Melissa Eaton!

Also, check out the related article, a further deep-dive into autism scams by investigative journalist Bethany Lindsay.

King’s new book, which covers autism pseudoscience and parenting, is available for pre-order from Indigo Books.

Watch:
Big If True: Fake Autism “Cures”

Read:
Investigative Journalism Foundation: ‘Alarming’ and unproven autism treatments abound on Facebook. Is it time for Canada to tighten regulations?

Disability Day of Mourning: Honouring Disabled Victims of Filicide & Saying “Never Again”

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Every year in the first week of March, people gather worldwide to honour and remember people who were murdered by their parents or other caregivers. This year, Autistics for Autistics will be observing the Disability Day of Mourning on March 2nd. We will gather virtually for a Zoom presentation that will include brief remarks, followed by the reading of the names and remembering of the victims of disability filicide, with a group discussion afterwards.

Unfortunately, the legal system has typically been more lenient towards parents who kill their disabled children, blaming the disability for the murder. As well, copycat murders often happen in the wake of a parent killing their disabled child.

The Disability Day of Mourning is a way to stand up for the victims of these murders, as we continue to pressure our legal system for true justice and the right to life, safety and care for all disabled people. It is also our way of saying to victims and their loved ones: “we honour you, we remember you, and you had the right to live.”

More information on how to register for the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/disability-day-of-mourning-202/1491360298995539/

Autistic Rights & Disability Rights: A4A’s Statement to the United Nations Association in Canada

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We were recently asked to contribute to the United Nations Association in Canada Toronto Region Branch World Autism Day report. While we observe Autistic Pride Day in June (not World Autism Day), we hope that World Autism Day can be an opportunity for the conversation about autistic rights and neurodiversity to advance. Following is our statement in response to their questions.

About Us: Advocacy, funding, goals

Autistics for Autistics provides support and advocacy for autistic people in Canada through activities and online social groups for autistic adults, as well as education in the broader community about autism and inclusion, and advocacy for better policies for autistics of all ages (on the city, provincial and national level).

Our organization does not rely on autism agencies, social workers or any bureaucratic structures. We are funded only by individuals’ donations. Our services are all administered by autistic Canadians from our leadership team.

We advocate for humane autism services for children–e.g., neuro-affirming speech & occupational therapy and accessibility/inclusion in classrooms and all aspects of social life. We are opposed to ABA and behaviourism in any form, for any age.

We provide education to hospitals, medical schools and employers on making their spaces accessible for autistic people (for example, through the Autistic Health Access Project).

We advocate against abusive group homes/congregate settings and sheltered workshops and we work for policy changes to open up supportive independent living for intellectually disabled adults, where they have choices in housing and recreational activities as well as fair wages for employment.

We also advocate for public funding so that autistic people can work part time or full time and have appropriate workplace accommodations, so that they can be economically independent and retain employment.

The Change We Need, for Autistics of All Ages

Structural barriers exist for all autistic Canadians, and it is wrong to state that autistic children “get more services than adults,” when in reality the majority of “services” for autistic children in Canada are based on behaviourist special education/therapy practices that are extremely traumatic and harmful.

The City and all of Canada need to immediately BAN SECLUSION ROOMS and install cameras in all special education settings to document and end the human rights abuses that are endemic in many special education classrooms. We need education programs, such as those led by the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, to give special education professionals the skills they need to manage their classrooms in a trauma-informed, peaceful way.

We also need Communication Access for all non-speaking or partially-speaking people—children and adults. There should be no delay, and no limits on access to Alternative and Augmentative tools, such as AAC devices, so that children and adults can communicate their needs, thoughts and feelings. Communication is a human right.

In Toronto, autistic adults need work opportunities that accommodate our disability (for example, health benefits for people who can only work part time, and sensory options in the office such as quiet space for work). We also need more education for employers on hiring and retaining autistic employees.

Finally, we need to end the infantilization of autistic people by many autism services professionals and replace it with an attitude of true support and confidence that we can do things like work, live independently, have families and be leaders.

Diagnosis–and Disability Rights

Diagnostic barriers are threefold. First, many people have to wait a long time to get a publicly-funded assessment, because our health care system is underfunded. Second, a private assessment (available more quickly) is cost-prohibitive for the majority of autistic people. Third, while some autism assessors promise that an assessment will lead to an easier life/services/disability accommodations, we actually do not have the right to any of these in Canadian law.

Stigma at school, work and in health care is a daily reality for autistic people, and a diagnosis does not fix that. The only way to fix that is to fix policy by finally ensuring that autistic people included in disability rights legislation in Canada. We are advocating for this!

Autistics for Autistics follows a disability rights model based on the principles of the disability rights movement, including: “Nothing about us without us”. Through the disability rights movement, people with physical disabilities achieved a major shift in society with the concept of adaptations and accessibility legislation, legally guaranteeing them the right to access public spaces, education and employment and make their own decisions about their support. In Canada, autistic people are not included in disability rights legislation—and we should be.

Parents and families are our allies in working towards inclusion, access, opportunities and the freedom to make our own choices, with supports, whether we are intellectually disabled, non-speaking or have any other disability.

How to Support Autistic People in Canada

There are many ways to support autistic people in Canada.

  • Friends, family and supporters can connect with groups like Autistics for Autistics, LiveWorkPlay, Community Living Ontario or the Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint (Canadian chapter) and volunteer.
  • Those with children in public schools can join the Parent Council at their school, outreach to families of autistic and intellectually disabled students and work with the school and teachers to make it more inclusive.
  • If you own a workplace or are involved in hiring, find out from autistic advocates how you can recruit and retain autistic employees.
  • If you are in the health care sector, you can take A4A’s free 90-minutes intro course on making your clinic more accessible to autistic patients and/or non-speaking patients who use assistive communication devices.

Upcoming Event: Disability Day of Mourning Online Vigil

Our next event is the annual Disability Day of Mourning on March 2, an online event that’s part of an international series of vigils against filicide, organized by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. We gather to remember disabled children and adults who were murdered by their parents/relatives. We remember that these victims were made in the image of God, their lives had meaning and they deserved to have lives filled with joy and kindness, not be treated as burdens and murdered.

Hope for the Future

We have a lot of hope for the future, because many more families are getting involved in advocacy around the human rights issues affecting autistic people. Historically, when we look at the great strides made by people with other disabilities and their families, we can see a model for change—the social model of disability—that can challenge the discrimination and stigmatization autistic people face today.

Autistic people are unique, and have unique communication and disability access needs, but we have more in common with non-autistics than we have differences. Autistic people are not otherworldly, or other at all. We’re part of the human family. By working together to end stereotypes about autistic people, to stop abuse in special education and group homes, and to ensure access to employment, health care and cultural spaces, we are shifting the landscape, so that autistic people can be valued and welcomed throughout the community.

We will continue to educate and advocate for our rights until we reach that goal.