Module one An Historical Overview of Disability in WA. Cam’Can Support Worker training From Past to Present…..

From Past to Present Attitudes through the ages  A historical overview of disability in WA  Where we are at today. “If you want to understand today search yesterday ” (Pearl S Buck)

The Early Days  In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, People with a disability were perceived and interpreted as "deviants” Being cast into negative social roles, they were abandoned by their families and communities and were committed to places like Fremantle Lunatic Asylum or Claremont Hospital for the insane, parents were often advised to "put their children away and get on with their lives".

Devalued by Society  Being perceived and interpreted as "deviant," due to their negatively-valued differentness. The latter could consist of physical or functional impairments, low competence, a particular ethnic identity, certain behaviors or associations, skin color, and many others.  Being rejected by community, society, and even family and services.  Being cast into negative social roles, some of which can be severely negative, such as "subhuman," "menace," and "burden on society."  Being put and kept at a social or physical distance, the latter most commonly by segregation.  Having negative images (including language) attached to them.  Being the object of abuse, violence, and brutalization, and even being made dead

Parents fought back  In 50’s parents developed new parent led organisations and Slow Learning Children's Group, Spastic Welfare Association and the Mentally Incurable Children's Association, marked a major breakthrough in attitudes towards the care of people with disabilities.  Families tended to see their child with a disability as “The Eternal Child”

A hospital model  "This hospital was established to ensure that children living in country areas were not denied treatment because of their domicile. The children are under the care of a Matron and trained Staff".

Shifting to a Training Model  In the 1970s and 1980s, the focus of disability services shifted to a training model, in which it was believed that all people with disabilities who could learn and develop skills in restricted settings should be encouraged to do so. (Opening Pyrton 1973)

Social Role Valorisation Around this time there was a shift to the concept of “Normalisation” shifting later to “Social Role Valorisation Theory”. This theory still underpins our thinking today and we will talk about this in a later module.

Later……  The Authority for Intellectually Handicapped Persons (AIH) (Irrabeena) began operations in January To advance the rights, responsibility, dignity, development and community participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Western Australia. Amalgamated into DSC

Local Area Coordination  Local Area Coordination, started in 1988 in Albany.  Working in partnership with individuals and families, Local Area Coordinators are able to tap into existing networks or help create new ones to provide crucial support for people – they are a great resource! use them….

So today  Self directed supports and services  Having control of what matters!  Just enough support  In and of community  Ways that make sense to the person  Least restrictive…closest to ordinary life  Individualised support.