Diverse Abilities NS Responds to Provincial Budget Announcement

(FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020)

Diverse Abilities NS applauds government’s commitment to ensure persons with diverse abilities in Nova Scotia have more opportunity to participate in employment and their community, as evidenced by this week’s budget announcement (Tuesday, February 25, 2020).

Budget 2020-21 includes an initial investment of $7.4 million to create 50 new placements, twenty five for participants who are transitioning from larger residential facilities into community-based residential options and twenty five for participants on the service request wait list, with a commitment for sustained funding to allow for an additional 70 placements per year over the subsequent five years.

“We are really excited,” says Joyce d’Entremont, CEO of the Meadows Community in Bridgetown and Chair of the Diverse Abilities NS. “We have been working collaboratively with government to plan for our residents’ successful transition to community living, founded on the shared principles of choice, social inclusion, and the best supports based on individual need. Receiving this confirmation that transformation of the Disability Support Program is moving forward is very welcome and positive news.”

Julie Hoeg, CEO of the Sunset Community in Pugwash and Vice-Chair of Diverse Abilities NS, adds that the Association is looking forward to a continued partnership with government in supporting the successful implementation of DSP Transformation Planning.

“The goal of everything we do is to empower people with diverse abilities to make their own choices, participate in decision-making, and to participate in, and contribute to, their local community,” says Hoeg. “As such, we are also very pleased that government has reaffirmed its commitment to honour the unique strengths, needs and capacities of each participant as we move forward to the future.”