Ontario passes "Developmental Services Act"

1974 The Developmental Services Act is passed in Ontario. The Act transfers responsibility for services for people with developmental disabilities from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

The Act made some attempts to respond to the social model of disability, which was being introduced as an alternative to the medical model at the time. For instance, the Act provided for public funding of community based services including group homes, sheltered workshops, day programs, and life skills training programs, acknowledging that people with intellectual disabilities can live and thrive in their communities, given proper support. The Act focused on moving away from institutionalized care, which had been exposed as places of extreme cruelty, abuse, and inhumane treatment.

Between 1977 and 1986, two five year plans were implemented to create community living opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Five institutions were closed, others were downsized, and resources were reinvested. In 1987, an additional five institutions were closed, and a commitment was made to phase out large institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1996 a four-year community living initiative was announced to help nearly 1,000 people move from institutions to the community; by the year 2000 operations had been phased out at three more institutions, and the number of people living in the remaining institutions was reduced. The last of those remaining institutions was closed by the province on March 31, 2009.

Despite these attempts, the Act had flaws.. Practically, many of the funding programs had strict eligibility criteria, cumbersome application processes, long wait lists, and inadequate funding. The Act also failed to provide robust enforcement mechanisms, and individuals with disabilities could not access what was in place if they had complaints about funding or services.

-Caroline Lyster

Ontario passes "Developmental Services Act"

1974 The Developmental Services Act is passed in Ontario. The Act transfers responsibility for services for people with developmental disabilities from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

The Act made some attempts to respond to the social model of disability, which was being introduced as an alternative to the medical model at the time. For instance, the Act provided for public funding of community based services including group homes, sheltered workshops, day programs, and life skills training programs, acknowledging that people with intellectual disabilities can live and thrive in their communities, given proper support. The Act focused on moving away from institutionalized care, which had been exposed as places of extreme cruelty, abuse, and inhumane treatment.

Between 1977 and 1986, two five year plans were implemented to create community living opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Five institutions were closed, others were downsized, and resources were reinvested. In 1987, an additional five institutions were closed, and a commitment was made to phase out large institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1996 a four-year community living initiative was announced to help nearly 1,000 people move from institutions to the community; by the year 2000 operations had been phased out at three more institutions, and the number of people living in the remaining institutions was reduced. The last of those remaining institutions was closed by the province on March 31, 2009.

Despite these attempts, the Act had flaws.. Practically, many of the funding programs had strict eligibility criteria, cumbersome application processes, long wait lists, and inadequate funding. The Act also failed to provide robust enforcement mechanisms, and individuals with disabilities could not access what was in place if they had complaints about funding or services.

-Caroline Lyster