It’s been to Australia’s shame that for many years now young people with severe disability have been shoved into aged care facilities and promptly forgotten. If your idea of fun is playing Halo 3 with the volume all the way up there can be issues with fitting in.
The ACT Minister for Disability and Community Services, Mr John Hargreaves, informs us that we’re finally making progress into fixing this problem.
- Construction has commenced today of a new home for four younger people currently living in aged care facilities in the ACT.
The ACT Minister for Disability and Community Services Mr John Hargreaves and the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Children’s Services, Mr Bill Shorten have turned the first sod to mark the occasion.
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“The home is centrally located in Narrabundah, ensuring close access to a range of social and recreational opportunities, public transport, medical and community support services,” Mr Hargreaves said.
“The design has taken advantage of the beautiful natural landscape and will be energy efficient and environmentally sensitive.
“The new service will not only provide future residents with a place to live, but also a home. The support model will enable each resident to live as independently as possible, while ensuring their often high basic care needs are met.
If you know an under-55 currently in aged care (or indeed if you are one), Mr Hargreaves is promising someone will write by mid November to see if a move to the new facility is desired. Or email: disabilityact.@act.gov.au