The Manitoba government has released the final report and implementation plan of the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“This is a very important report and our government is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force,” said Squires. “We thank the task force members and all those who contributed to the report for their exemplary work. We appreciate and will support the key roles that community stakeholders, families and individuals with lived experience will need to play in meeting the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba.”
The nine-member task force was appointed in September 2020 to review services in Manitoba for adults with intellectual disabilities. The task force completed its work in May.
“The implementation of the recommendations will ultimately improve the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba,” said Dale Kendel, chair of the task force. “After consultation with a wide cross-section of community groups, the task force took great care to suggest practical and achievable improvements. The implementation plan reflects a strong commitment by Manitoba Families to create change. We appreciate the input from the disability community and hope we have captured the passion, concern and emotion of all the contributors.”
The final report, titled Pathways to Dignity: Rights, Safeguards, Planning and Decision Making, includes recommendations to create more involvement for community stakeholders in the system for adults with intellectual disabilities. The plan sets out areas of responsibility for each of the recommendations and timelines for their implementation in the short, medium and long term. The work will include:
- implementing changes to current practice;
- exploring solutions with community groups;
- designing and launching pilot projects;
- initiating further consultation where required;
- continuing policy and practice reviews; and
- implementing legislative revisions and long-term changes.
The minister noted she accepts the recommendations and intends to implement them, though she added that some of them will need further work and consultation.
To view the report and implementation plan, go to www.gov.mb.ca/fs/vp-task-force-report.html.
