www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, March 25, 2016 | 8 Concern over phase-out of Speers Place Industries by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff The Province's plan to eliminate sheltered workshops for people with intellectual disabilities is far from being embraced by some local families that depend on workshops as a safe and secure place for a family member. Lucy Harber told the Oakville Beaver the news had come as a shock to her and a number of other families she knows who have relatives taking part in provinciallyfunded sheltered workshops where people with disabilities work with supervision. Harber said she has a family member, who is 45 years old, who has the mind of young boy, and who has been working at Speers Place Industries for four years since he moved into a home for supported independent living in Oakville. Community Living Oakville's (CLO) vocational program is supported with provincial funding, and provides employment and training for people who have a developmental disability. It works in conjunction with Best Pack, CLO's independently-owned packaging business, providing employment and opportunity to develop work skills in a supportive environment through a variety of light industrial jobs and contract work from other companies. Harber, of Burlington, said the vocational program has been much more than just a "low-paying" job for her brother. "It is a social circle, a family," she wrote to the Beaver in an email. "They sometimes live in the same residential home, play the same sports through Special Olympics, attend the same events, dances, etc..., organized by Community Living. The people working there care for each other, help each other, grow together, socialize together, understand and accept each others' special characteristics," she continued. "At the vocational program, he is an asset, he feels appreciated, worthy and staff can listen to him, encourage him to do his best." Future unclear Harber said with the future unclear once sheltered workshops are phased out, she fears her brother will end up sitting on his couch collecting Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) because he can't maintain a job. "I'm just heartbroken," she said in an March 8 interview. Last fall, Community and Social Services Minister Helena Jaczek advised there would be no new admissions to provincially-funded workshops and a desire to phase them out -- gradually. "We want to make it clear, no sheltered workshop program will be phased out without appropriate alternatives in place for individuals and their families," Ministry of Community and Social Services spokesperson Joshua Henry stated in an email to the Beaver March 7. "The transition away from sheltered workshops will be planned over time so that Late last year, the Ontario Ministry of Children Services advised community agencies running employment support programs for people with developmental disabilities there will be no new admissions to the sheltered workshops. It plans to phase out the programs, although a set timeline has not yet been revealed. Pictured, Speers Industries, supported by Community Living Oakville, is one of 60 employment support programs that will be affected. | photo by Nikki Wesley Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) At this point, for people who are still there (Speers Place Industries), we're looking at what would be ideal for them and what they want to do and if there's increased support costs, we're identifying that and then we'll work with the ministry or look at what other solutions we can find for funding. Vocational programs like that are (run on a) fairly cost-efficient model, but we're talking about the quality of people's life and the meaningfulness of their days.... Community Living Oakville attending Speers Place Industries, said Lorimer. Currently, there are 47 people with developmental disabilities, while last year there were 53. Lorimer explained Community Living Oakville hasn't had new admissions to its vocational program for "quite some time" and that it has been working with each person to develop an individual plan to identify clearly what their wishes and interests are. No one-size-fits-all solution "There's no one-size-fits-all answer for people," she said. Everyone has different goals and some people and their families have made it clear that employment is not a goal for them for a variety of reasons that include health challenges, mental health and past experiences in employment that weren't successful, Lorimer continued. The level of support that some individuals require also may not lend itself well to competitive employment," she added. Preparing for the future As CLO prepares for the eventual closure of Speers Place Industries, it's making sure solutions are being explored, including asking for an increase in funding from the ministry and looking for more grant opportunities and community partnerships. "At this point, for people who are still there, we're looking at what would be ideal for them and what they want to do and if there's increased support costs, we're identifying that and then we'll work with the ministry or look at what other solutions we can find for funding," said Lorimer. see People on p.12 Janet Lorimer Janet Lorimer the right choices are made." He noted it could take several years to shift away from the model, based on what other jurisdictions have experienced. "We recognize the need for this shift to be gradual and person-centred so that there is a smooth transition for the individuals participating in those settings," stated Henry, a media and issues co-ordinator. Change is about inclusion The ministry has stated the move away from sheltered workshops is about inclusion. Jobs are only one of the options an individual can choose to pursue, wrote Henry. "Individuals with developmental disabilities may prefer to focus on programs that support community participation, such as volunteering or recreational opportunities," he said, adding the ministry launched the Employment and Modernization Fund in the fall of 2014 and provided about $4 million for projects across the province to help developmental service agencies enhance its employment support programs. "A number of projects funded involve shifting away from sheltered workshops, and we are already seeing some very positive results emerging," said Henry. At the local level At the local level, CLO Executive Director Janet Lorimer explained their employment team in charge of job development, placement and support has been "tremendously successful" over the years at moving people to competitive employment wherever possible. "Each year, there are more and more job placements, so there are lots of people who are successful and thrilled with their jobs," she said. Nonetheless, there are still individuals