Supporting Inclusion Captured to the left is a group from CLNG celebrating the flag raising which marked the begin of Community Living month in the municipality. On the bottom, Alixe poses for the camera during CLNG’s Pancake Breakfast at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in May. Alixe and her family are in the process of moving to North Grenville and have found CLNG’s help to be invaluable as Alixe gets accustomed to the area. She also loves Max Ke e p i n g , w h o h a s been a great friend to Community Living.
Editor’s Note: This marks the end of our four-part feature series on Community Living of North Grenville, an organization devoted to the support and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities within our communities. We hope you enjoyed the series. Nathan Jahn Advance Staff The odds are pretty good that you know someone with an intellectual disability. The Canadian Association of Canadian Living estimates, as of their 2008 National Report Card, approximately one million Canadians – of every age – have an intellectual disability. In many communities, like our very own North Grenville, we see people with intellectual disabilities growing up belonging to the community as valued people within their family and community; we also see them actively involved in the workforce earning a wage and contributing in meaningful ways. A big reason we actually see these things happening is because of Community Living of North Grenville, part of the larger CACL and eventually the worldwide advocacy network called Inclusion International. Despite all the advances in the past two decades – namely closing all Ontario institutions – there are some very alarming numbers from CACL’s annual report card: • Almost 30 per cent of children and youth are segregated in special classes or schools as their educational placement. • Adults with disabilities are three times more likely than non-disabled Canadians to
- N . Jahn photos / Advance Staff
live in poverty. • More than 75 per cent of adults with intellectual disabilities not living with family members live in poverty. • More than 70 per cent of adults with intellectual disabilities are unemployed or out of the labour force. Meanwhile, CACL says in its report, “47 per cent of the Canadian public is ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ comfortable being around people with intellectual disabilities” - which is astonishing in its ignorance. And, with today’s prenatal technology, an estimated 90 per cent of pregnancies where Down Syndrome is identified are aborted. Perhaps the worst part – beyond the misplaced fear, ignorance and marginalization – is that people with intellectual disabilities “face among the highest rates of physical and sexual abuse in communities across Canada.” Take two minutes to speak with anyone at the CLNG Resource Centre and you’ll find a depth of personality and honest decency that will probably take you by surprise. In the two days it took me to interview Jason, Joanna, Penny, Mary Ellen and Linda and Albin, my world opened up. They all had varying degrees of intellectual disabilities, but after each interview my heart smiled at the warmth I received from every single person. Here in Kemptville, Holy Cross Elementary School has the Joanna Green Inclusion Award, which speaks volumes to the effect one girl can
have on a school and a community. But CACL raises a good point in its report when it states: “Further, the increased use of prenatal testing and screening are reinforcing a message that disability is undesirable, something to be screened for and detected. The subtle undertones of the
disabilities are treated, but it’s up to the communities across the country to make inclusion in all aspects of their community part of the norm. That’s where our local Community Living organizations come into play. CLNG has dedicated, caring staff who give it Meanwhile, CACL says in its report, “47 per their all to offer the propcent of the Canadian public is ‘not very’ or ‘not er services and supports for people with intellecat all’ comfortable being around people with disabilities in North intellectual disabilities” - which is astonishing in tual Grenville. There are 116 its ignorance. And, with today’s prenatal tech- more organizations like it nology, an estimated 90 per cent of pregnancies across the province, with 12,000 members. where Down Syndrome is identified are aborted. C o m m u n i t y L iv i n g o ff e r s a n i n n ova t ive approach that empowers individuals to make their message are that a life with disability is not own decision on where to live, work and a life worth living.” play all while secure in the knowledge that Thankfully, it is enshrined in the Charter help is there should they need it. of Rights and Freedoms that people with The closing of the provincial institutions intellectual disabilities have all of the same was just one step towards the future, but we rights, freedoms and education as everyone can keep the momentum moving forward else. by throwing away old prejudices and ideas. The question then becomes: What more Just like in 1949 - when families came needs to be done? together for an ideal - it is time for parThe simple answer is: A lot. ents, families and communities to stand up But the more complicated answer is that and say ‘we have had enough of the excluCanadians need to walk-the-walk rather sion and intolerance – it is time for a truly than just filling the air with placating words, inclusive Canadian society,’ because truly pretending we’re better than the rest of the diverse, rich and thriving communities are world in every aspect. the ones where all people are included and Every society is ultimately judged on valued in their daily lives. how it treats its elderly, children and those with intellectual disabilities. For more information about Community The federal and Ontario provincial gov- Living, please visit www.communitylivingernments have made great leaps in its inclu- northgrenville.ca, www.communitylivinsion, but CACL maintains that more needs gontario.ca and for more information on to be done “build on the foundations that Canadians with intellectual disabilities, have been laid in the last 50 years to make please visit www.ccdonline.ca. true inclusion a reality for all.” Because, quite simply, the government can mandate how people with intellectual nathan.jahn@metroland.com