Message to members – The DreamhouseAugust 12, 2014
Dear members,
The Dreamhouse, produced by Artemis International and broadcast on ABC TV, is screening at a time of extraordinary publicity for people with Down syndrome and provides a welcome opportunity to articulate and promote the independence and potential of people with Down syndrome.
As the national advocacy body for people with Down syndrome and their families, it is the role of Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) to push for a better world and therefore our response to the program has been mixed. While we unreservedlysupport the choice of the young people participating in the program to be part of a reality TV show, we have also noted that a valuable opportunity to promote more contemporary and self-directed living options for people with intellectual disability has been missed
An important aspect of the better worldthat we envision is that individuals on the road to independenceare able to exercise self-direction; such as having choiceand control over their house and housemates. This was not the process in the production of The Dreamhouse.
We believe it is DSA's job to say, that just because ‘in the real world’ supported group houses are available, and funding to support community living and true choice and control is not, that we want more. It is our job to point out that a program with a 'disability expert' that makes sweeping generalisations about people with Down syndrome (such as all find change difficult) is not helping to overcome stereotypes.The Dreamhouse - in the title itself, claims to be the pinnacle of our hopes for young people achieving independence - but our hopes are greater.
The Dreamhouse is trying to blur the lines between reality TV and documentary, and is over-reaching when it says that it is an innovative solution to the very real problem of the lack of opportunities available to young adults with intellectual disability wanting the same independence and full lives than that of their peers. It is a TV program – principally designed to be good entertainment,but it is not the solution to a complex community challenge.
Down Syndrome Australia heartily agrees with the over-riding opinion that Justin, Sarah and Kirk are engaging, funny and interesting young people and their personal journeys are the best part of The Dreamhouse. We warmly wish them all the very best with their next steps and hope that this is the springboard to independence they were looking for.
Finally, Down Syndrome Australia would like to thank the many people who have been in direct contact. Your passion and enthusiasm to discuss the many complexities that the program has thrown up has been most welcome. Facilitating the robust exchange of ideas is the reason DSA and the state and territory associations coordinate online and face-to-face communities. Your ability to keep these safe discussions going and then to keep on working to change the world is our daily inspiration.
Catherine McAlpine
CEO, Down Syndrome Australia