Disability ACT Housing and Tenancy Guidelines
Disability ACT Housing and Tenancy guidelines
Statement of purpose
These Housing and Tenancy guidelines aim to explain the commitment established in the ACT Government’s policy framework as outlines in Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014 in relation to planning with the Housing Options Facilitator.
Future Directions is the ACT Government’s policy framework to improve outcomes and opportunities for Canberrans who have a disability. This framework guides priority areas for disability policy and service delivery in the ACT through to 2014 and is unpinned by the vision expressed by Canberrans with disability in 2002 that:
“All people with disabilities achieve what they want to achieve, live how they choose to live and are valued as full and equal members of the ACT community.”
Proposals that result from housing options facilitator planning will be considered to the potential to meet Disability ACT’s vision, values and strategic directions.
In presenting any housing, tenancy and support proposal the following principles should be evident.
Principles
/Evidence
1. Evidence that the person with disability has had input into any decisions / · Evidence of the person attending planning meetings and their active participation· In the instance that someone is not making their own decision evidence that consideration to their interests is shown in the discussion and decision
· Consideration of independent advocacy being available to the person
2. Housing, tenancy and support will be maintained separately to each other / · Coordination of support is around the individual – in particular their opportunity to use local services, public spaces and be included in the social, recreational and economic life of the local community
· The agency that provides or coordinates supports is not the landlord, nor does it have any organisational connection to the property owner
3. The person will have the capacity to advocate change to their life, or have someone outside the service system remain involved to support this / · The person has at least one person who has agreed to remain involved who is outside of the service system
4. Any form of housing that is someone’s home will complement those in the surrounding community / · The property complements other properties in that area
5. Any request for formal resources will be substantiated by an assessments of needs / · Appropriate assessment of needs against recognised assessment tools
· Documentation of support needs in relation to sustaining housing and tenancy
· Support promotes the person’s participation and inclusion
Disability ACT Vision & Values Statement
Vision
All people with disabilities achieve what they want to achieve, live how they choose to live, and are valued as full and equal members of the ACT community.
Values
Community
All people with disabilities have opportunities for personal relationships and for meaningful involvement in the ACT community in positive and creative ways, building on their individual abilities. This in turn enhances the skills, perspectives and diversity of the ACT community as more people have the opportunity to be involved in the lives of people with disabilities.
Inclusion
All people with disabilities are recognised and respected as valued and contributing members of society.
Community education is an important means of achieving this outcome.
Self-determination
All people with disabilities and/or their guardians are free to make or influence the decisions and choices that affect the course of their lives. This empowers them to realise their self-worth in every aspect of life.
Equality
All people with disabilities enjoy equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities with the rest of society.
Equality is promoted by people with disabilities, their advocates and supporters.
Family Involvement
The roles of families, guardians, friends, carers and significant others in the lives of
people with disabilities are supported, valued and promoted.
Equity
Sufficient resources for people with disabilities are distributed strategically to best meet their overall needs, taking a holistic view of the community.
Freedom of Access
All people with disabilities have full and direct access to all public places in the ACT.
Access to Information
All people with disabilities and/or their representatives give and receive accurate, timely and understandable information, and are supported in that process to enable appropriate decisions to be made.
Transparency
Principles, priorities and processes for service provision for people with disabilities are public and clear.
Partnership
All people with disabilities have the opportunity to work collaboratively with government and the community to set agendas where appropriate and to be leaders and decision makers, particularly in the development and reform of relevant services. All parties have a clear understanding of their relationship and share relevant information with each other.
Consumer Power
When obtaining supports and services, all people with disabilities enjoy protection, choice, information and redress, and can define their own needs, to the same extent as other consumers.
Culture of Excellence
Services that support people with disabilities, their families and friends are flexible and innovative, and aim for, and continue to be at world best practice levels.
Creativity and Development
All people with disabilities have the opportunity to enrich the community through their own growth and development.
Research and recognition of the unique life experiences and skills of people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers, provide ongoing opportunities for learning.
Safety
Optimal levels of safety for people with disabilities are determined in consultation with all stakeholders.
Representation
All people with disabilities are empowered through advocacy support and representation of their needs and rights where necessary.
Strategic priorities
The Disability ACT strategic priorities are
· I want the right support, right time, right place
· I want to contribute to the community
· I want to socialise and engage in the community
· I want to know what I need to know
· I want to tell my story once; and
· I want a quality service system
The actions and measures of success of these priorities are published in Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014
Disability ACT Housing Options guidelines