Lack of support for mentally disabled

By Marco Rovere

A class-action suit filed in Ottawa has increased concerns in Windsor over services provided to those with mental disabilities over the age of 18.

In Ontario, laws and services for the mentally disabled change from the time they are children to when they turn 18. The issue is the fact there are differing rules applied to the two age groups. In Ontario after you are deemed an adult you must apply for services, which includes financial, emotional and physical support, rather than being entitled to them. Unlike children, adults must apply for the services and wait to see if they are eligible for government support.

Xavier Noordermeer, is the executive director for Community Living Windsor. The organization has been providing mentally disabled adults with a wide range of support and services for the past 65 years. Noordermeer said the Ontario government should change the way they treat people with disabilities and close the gap between children and adults.

“The system needs changes. If you receive support from the government as a youth or your family does, that stops when you become an adult,” said Noordermeer. “In Ontario, we don’t have an entitlement system, there is nothing in the law or legislation that says you’re entitled to that support, so you have to apply to the developmental services Ontario for assessment and they will see if you are eligible.”

According to Noordermeer, the only support guaranteed for those 18 or over is a one-time payment of $5,000 for support, which he says is not enough.

“I know families who have had to quit their job because they need to stay home to support their loved one because they are out of school now and there is no support for them,” said Noordermeer.

Noordermeer says Community Living has a huge waiting list for people with disabilities seeking different varieties of support.

“Most people go on a waiting list for support and it creates stress and puts a burden on families. The impact on your family is huge emotionally and financially, and the government needs to find better ways to support these families,” said Noordermeer.

Matt Iovino, 23, is a Windsor resident who has been impacted by the services provided to the mentally disabled in Ontario. Iovino has a 13-year-old cousin dealing with disabilities and he believes that the Ontario government needs to balance the support and treatment of the mentally disabled.

“The age cutoff needs to change because it isn’t fair to those who are born with different disabilities compared to the average person. They need the assistance and help of the community and that help should be provided no matter what age,” said Iovino.

Iovino says that his cousin uses different services to help him control his life and find the perfect way to live.

“Cutting that service out of his life when he turns 18 would cause intense stress on him and the ones who love him because nothing drastically will change about his condition.”

As the hearing in Ottawa continues, people with mental disabilities and their families await the outcome.

Community Living Windsor provides support to the families of loved ones who deal with disabilities. For more information visit their website at www.clwindsor.org or contact them at 519-974-4221.