Sheltered workshop alternatives needed
Re Doors slowly closing on controversial sheltered workshops, Nov. 16 As a parent of a young adult daughter with autism, I applaud the decision to stop admitting the disabled to sheltered workshops.
However, I hope the government doesn’t make the same mistake it made when closing residential facilities for the intellectually challenged — transferring the total responsibility for caring for these people to the families, without providing the families with any resources to do so. Many disabled young adults cannot participate in day programs because parents cannot afford the high fees.
Governments need to work with employers to establish programs to provide meaningful, paid employment to these differently abled people — and for those who cannot work, affordable day programs. Failing this, I fear many will end up languishing at home all day. That is, until parents can no longer care for them. Sharon Anderson, Mississauga The move to authentic work experiences has taken far too long. These young adults cannot afford to wait any longer to be included and valued in society.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services and Ministry of Education must partner to train and empower these individuals for rewarding work experiences with remuneration commensu- rate with job performance. This would include placing all students in community schools and closing down separate segregated schools for students with intellectual differences. Research shows that students who attend inclusive secondary schools perform better not just academically but also in social and emotional development and future employability. Students who are separated and marginalized will have a far more difficult time coping in employment settings.
The province must take leadership and accept responsibility in ensuring compliance with its requests for detailed information and the laws it has enacted.
It should not take decades to achieve equity in education and employment opportunities.