Say Goodbye To "Homes For Retarded Persons"

Responding to the concerns of individuals and groups serving people with developmental disabilities, Community and Social Services Minister John Baird will introduce legislation on June 5 that, if passed, will repeal the Homes for Retarded Persons Act.

"Our government is committed to updating its laws to make them current, clearer, and sensitive to the people they serve," said Baird. "Bringing this bill forward to remove terms such as 'retarded persons' is one more step this government is taking to help people with disabilities and their families receive the respect and dignity they deserve."

The bill introduced today also seeks to change more than 30 acts that contain outdated and offensive language. "It's important to our government to repeal the Act because it contains offensive language and does not reflect the current philosophy of moving away from institutions into the community and closer to home," said Baird. "Families and caregivers who live and work with people with developmental disabilities every day have told me the Act is paternalistic and a relic of past attitudes. It's time for it to go."

It was first enacted to regulate group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. However, it includes outdated language, obsolete sections and is redundant with many of the sections included in the Developmental Services Act (DSA). The important aspects of the old Act, such as health, safety, and the personal well being of people with developmental disabilities, are preserved in the Developmental Services Act.

Last week, Baird announced details of the government's five-year plan to help people with developmental disabilities. Providing $55 million, growing to $197 million annually, this is the single largest investment this province has ever made in the developmental services sector. The province will also make an additional investment of $67 million over five years to build new places in the community for people with developmental disabilities to live.

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