4 “Transitions: Supports and Services Guide for Persons with an Intellectual Disability in Newfoundland and Labrador” is a part of the Transitions Pilot Project. Funded by the Disability Policy Office, Government of Newfoundland Labrador, this partnership project is led by a cross-departmental Advisory Board. Departments advising over the project include: • Department of Advanced • Department of Children, Seniors Education, Skills and Labour and Social Development • Department of Education and • Eastern Health Authority Early Childhood Development • Department of Health and • Central Health Authority Community Services • Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living. The following guide book is a resource of the many supports, programming and services available in Newfoundland and Labrador for persons, and persons with intellectual disabilities. Disclaimer: This guide includes information for resources and programming that is current as of March, 2017. Individual programs or services are subject to change. For more information contact the program administrator listed or NLACL. Copyright © 2017. Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living (NLACL). St. John’s, NL, Canada. Table of Contents Message from the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities .............. 4 Forward from the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living ......................................... 5 Education .................................................................................................................................. 7 Income Supports ....................................................................................................................... 9 Employment and Training ...................................................................................................... 10 Transportation and Travel ....................................................................................................... 16 Accessible Taxi Services ............................................................................................ 16 Accessible Bus Services ............................................................................................. 16 Accessible Coach and Charter Bus Services ........................................................... 17 Travelling by Ferry ....................................................................................................... 18 Travelling by Plane ...................................................................................................... 19 Accessible Vehicle Funding ....................................................................................... 21 Housing .................................................................................................................................... 22 Health ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Women’s Health .......................................................................................................... 26 Mental Health .............................................................................................................. 27 Sexual Health ............................................................................................................... 29 Therapeutic, Home, and Community Supports ........................................................ 31 Voting ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) ............................................................................. 34 Tax Credits and Benefits for Persons with Disabilities ........................................................... 35 Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning ............................................................................................. 37 Adult Protection Act ............................................................................................................... 38 Network of Disability Organizations ...................................................................................... 39 Contact Information ............................................................................................................... 40 4 Forward from the President, Dennis Gill Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living It is indeed a privilege and a pleasure to write a message for the Transitions Guide, part of the Transitions Pilot Project being executed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living [NLACL] on behalf of, and in concert with, the Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development, [CSSD], Hon. Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister. Persons with an intellectual disability and their families have sometimes found it complicated to avail of the necessary supports so that youth might be able to better transition into the broader community after concluding high school. This affected many areas: further educational opportunities, employment and training, suitable living arrangements, navigating available services, health and wellness issues, friendships and social life, recreation, community involvement, wills-trusts-estate planning, just to name a few. The Transitions Pilot Project was designed to help youth navigate the transition through the development of a person-centred plan which would act as a guide towards reaching short-term and longer-term goals. In 2016, when the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living took on this pilot, it was in the midst of our 60th Anniversary Celebrations. Transitions gave us one more reason to celebrate. The project work undertaken by Transitions Facilitators, Lisa Charlong-Norris, and her successor, Danielle Parrell-Douglas, with the fifteen families in the St. John’s Metro Area, Conception Bay North, and Goose Bay, under the leadership of NLACL’s Executive Director, Pamela Anstey, and the guidance of the Transitions Advisory Committee, has been truly remarkable and most commendable. The invaluable forward movement on this matter over the past year barely scratches “the tip of the iceberg”. There are 15,000 persons with intellectual disabilities, not to mention hundreds more with other types of disabilities all across this province who can now more easily navigate available supports and services as found in The Transitions Guide; from Nain to Nicky’s Nose Cove to North Harbour. Each situation is different and each needs devoted attention, support, and caring. The service afforded by this project is hopefully not “a one of”, but rather “a beginning of”. And, looking ahead, with continued cooperation between the association and the government, we believe this venture has the potential to affect the lives of many, and be one more step in creating a truly inclusive province. Dennis Gill, President Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living 5 Transitions Supports and Services Guide for Persons with an Intellectual Disability in Newfoundland and Labrador Where to Start? Transitioning means moving from one stage of life to the next. This can be a challenging process as needs change. A major transition that all persons experience is becoming an adult. This can be even more challenging for individuals with an intellectual disability as supports or services may change as a result. This guide lists some of the available supports or services in Newfoundland and Labrador to guide you and your family through this transition. You may also want to use a Transitions Plan template to assist you and your family to outline your goals and successfully transition into the next stage of your life. A Transitions Plan uses a “person-centered approach”. This means that the person at the center of the plan owns it and support persons help to develop his/her strengths, abilities, and key interests. Person-centered planning is an approach to planning that works with a person, not on a person. It is guided by a team of support persons by building upon goals to assist an individual, youth, adult, or senior, transition to the next stage of his/her life. To receive a copy of a Transition Planning template, contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living. 6 Education Department of Education A Transition Planning guide is available from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. This guide provides information on what a transitions process is, helpful tips for ensuring a successful transition, and answers to questions you may have on what is involved in transition planning. The Department also provides a plan template to help guide you. To access these resources, please visit the link below: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/studentsupportservices/transition_process.html Contact: Tel: 1-709-729-5097 or Email: [email protected] Sometimes youth with intellectual disabilities may benefit from additional years of high school to better prepare for adulthood. In Newfoundland and Labrador, individuals may continue their learning at High School up to age 21. This is in accordance with Section 3 of the Schools Act, 1997. To receive a copy of the Schools Act, 1997 you may view it online at the link below: http://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/s12-2.htm#3_ For more information on continuing education to age 21, contact your school’s Guidance Counsellor. College