EDITORIAL: Righting a grievous wrong with small group home options for Nova Scotians

“The government knows what should be done. They should just do it.”
Nova Scotia Disability Rights are Human Rights
“The government knows what should be done. They should just do it.”
“Six months after releasing his 108-page decision, board inquiry chair Walter Thompson must now decide how much compensation the province owes MacLean, Joseph Delaney and the late Sheila Livingstone, who died in a Yarmouth institution three years ago.”
NOTE: This hearing was interrupted last week due to an illness. It is now set to resume on Monday, September 16 at 1:00pm at a NEW location – Park Lane:
5657 Spring Garden Road
Park Lane Terrace
3rd Fl., Suite 305
The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal allowed three national organizations that advocate on behalf of people with disabilities to join an appeal of a human rights Board of Inquiry decision made earlier this year.
These organizations are the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), and People First Canada.
3 national organizations granted intervener status in disabilities human rights appeal
“A judge has granted intervenor status to three national disabilities groups in an appeal of a human rights board of inquiry decision involving discrimination against three Nova Scotians.” -ChronicleHerald
“On 20 June 2019, the Canadian Association for Community Living ( “CACL”), the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (“CCD”) and People First of Canada (“PFC”) (together, the “national organizations”) were granted leave to intervene at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in a case which is of critical importance for the human rights of persons with disabilities across Canada.” -The Nova Scotia Advocate
Several groups are seeking to appeal a Human Rights Board of Inquiry decision that found that people with intellectual disabilities face no systemic discrimination in terns of housing.
The Disability Rights Coalition has filed an appeal of the March 4, 2019 Board of Inquiry Decision which dismissed the DRC’s complaint. The DRC complaint addressed the discriminatory impact of the Province’s policies and practices that have resulted in the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with disabilities, and a growing delay in obtaining supports and services to live in the community for other people with disabilities – currently numbering over 1500 people.
There is an opportunity to participate in an online survey to seek input on barriers to accessibility in education and the built environment.